The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-08-15
nY WILLIAMlT. NELLIs.

Unfortunate is the young person who has never read. and been thrilled b,r inc great duel between Apollyon and Christian fin the vatey of Humi- I5afion. as John Bunyan Llas described If. Neither the theology nor the im- arerv of this great aHegpry is in. all notnfs perfect, yet it Is true to life in this chapter. We'll it is for youth to know that w1sosoever seds out on the way of righteousness will have hot foes to face and bitter fighting to undergo. We are so emphasizing the : beauty and dignity of human nature is these days. that we are in danger of losing sight of the, fact that char acter must be fought for. The bstties m inc field of Man sout are the fiercest heaven witnesses. Thei duel with evil Is one that no person can escape, and yet win to celestial heightA More over, though the teaching Is not par ticularly popular nowaGays, let, 1t not be fogotten that in this life there are malignant forces within us and about us that seek to destroy holytaspira- tions and endeavers.
 The devi has gone out (of fashion. but not out of business.
 After the Palace comes the Valley.
  comforts of Christian fellow ship. He had been given transportnlg axper- fences. He had been newly armed and prepared for his journey. Never had his choice seemed so wise. his way so desirable or his end SO sure. as when the sweet maidens escorted Hm forth from the Palace to renew his pilgrim age. Right ahead, though. lay the
 Valley of Humiiiation,and thesfoulfend 1lAt,x ta f-ftta n n nA- ture Reaction always follows exalta tion. Depression travels close in the train of elation. The hour of danger is the hour following the most inspir- ing experiences. The hetValsey lies just past the Palace
 The Palace precedes the Valley; There is special preparation for every extraordinary experfnece that Is to be undergone. God artns his sol- diers for all approaching battles.
 This has been a rare summer to many Christians. They have been per mitted to attend great conventions and conferences which have seemed to them veritable Mountains of Trans hguration. Or to adhere to the figure of Pilgrims Progress. they have been feasted and furnished in the Palace Beautiful. whence they have caught visions of the Delectable Mountains It has seemed as if life can never again be the same to them. But let them beware. It may be that the Val ley of Humiliation lies just before them. All the equipment of their great experience will be needed ts deliver them from peculiar besetments and temptations that await them. The power of the palace win be their suc- cor in the valley.
 No armor was provided for Chris tian's back. There Is so provision made for the defeat of the Kings soldiers on the Kings highway.
 No amount of emotion or glow. and no sublime and ecstatic experience. | can deliver a Christian from the neces- sity of fighting with the powers of darkness.
 The worlds greatest wars are spiri- stual. The soul Is the bloodiest battle- ground. And in these conflicts there are no ubiquitous war correspondents, no spectators and no glory except the victory itself and the conscious ness of the Kings well dohe." A man may be fighting for his very life. spiritually, at the time when hts neighbors are admiring or envying him
 Talk plainly to the tempter. Don't bubble and evade and try to be polite. A victory is almost won when Chris tian can look the devil, in the. face and tell him that he is the devil Listen to the ring of these words of Chris tian: 70 thou destroying Apollyon. like his (my Prince'sl service. his