The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1909-09-10

through this re-
markable experience.
The time has come in Paul's judg-
ment when he must revisit Jerusalem.
Duty pointed Enthusiastically in that
direction, and he was convinced in
his own mind beyond the shadow Of
doubt that he ought to visit the
holy city. There was no alternative.
1t was Jerusalem only. At the same
time he was satisfied that If he went.
it would be to bonds and imprison-
ment. The Holy Ghost witnessed in
every city that the result Of his visit
would be personal discomfort, and
physical sufferings.
Duty Heroic.
But what effect did 1t all have upon
the apostle? Not the slightest. He
said What mean ye to weep and
break my heart? l know, as well as
you what trouble awaits me, but I am
ready. not only to be bound, but to
die at Jerusalem!" And the gritty lit
tie hero marched on into the lions
jaws. With him the question was not
comfort, ease, life even; it was duty
He knew that man is immortal till
his work is DONE" and he did not
| propose to shirk responsibility even
though bonds and Imprisonment were
included in it. Prudence Is a good
thing; there are times when it should
be regarded. But when some great
exigency arises which calls for ac-
tion the true soul will walk the path
of duty though it be with bleeding
feet, and though he walk alone.
Tennyson and Carlyle were once
walking through the gallery of great
sculptors in London, Ind Tennyson
turning to Carlyle said. What do
you think of that, Thomas?" can,
mon. it's sad sight" "Why?"
There is nae mon among them that
has a jaw" That was the grim old
Scotch method of diagnosing charac-
ter. 1t was only another way of say
ing that the men lacked grit, back
bone, sand" gumption, words which
stand for righteousness, loyalty and
truth in the worlds category.
Duty, not Stubbornness.
Pauls determination was altogether
different thing from stubbornness.
His pluck must not be confounded
with pigheadedness. He had none of
the qualities of the mule in his dis
position. He cannot be charged with
the folly of biting off his nose to spite
his face. He never deliberately jump.
ed out Of the frying pan into the fire.
If those disciples could have shown
him any good reason, except mere
personal discomfort for avoiding Jeru-
salem, he would readily have taken
their advice. The very first thing
he did after arriving at the city was
to yield to the advice of his friends
in matter where there was no prin-
ciple involved, although the result
was most disastrous to himself.
Soldiers declare that the most trying
time in battle is before the battle be-
gins. The awful hush that settles
down upon the men while they wait
for the signal, that is what blanches
the cheek, and makes the knees trem-
BILE. When the fight is on, when the
blood has risen to fever heat, when
the air is aflame with bursting shell,
ers' blood, and vengeance is bursting
the heart then it is easy to fight and
glorious to die. But to march up to
the muzzles of shotted cannon, wait
ing to vomit their iron hail into your
very face requires the stuff that heroes
are made of.
Duty Rewarded.
Such was Paul's grit. He knew
that every step of the way toward the
city was taking him nearer the heads
mans block. He did not understand
the reason, any more than you
do, why certain things in your life
must be, but he knew that the Lead
er and Commander of the forces OF
the universe had the plan of campaign
perfectly arranged, and he was GER
tain that He could make no mistake.
When the six hundred English SOL
diers at Balaklava charged into the
mouth of hell they knew when they
started that some one had blundered.
Not so Paul. He had received his or
ders from headquarters. Those or
ders said, Jerusalem, and at Jerusa-
lem he would have reported, though
he had been compelled to fight his
way through legions of devils.
Look out how you interfere with a
man who has the call of God upon
him. To stop him, to delay him, to
divert him, may be as calamitous, as
to turn a switch in the wrong direc.
ton before a flying express train. If
you cannot go with him, uncover as
the hero passes on. 1t may be, when
the coronation day of eternity comes
you may be permitted to behold the
sight when the King puts the crown
| a. rEln MI hand