The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1910-04-20

In the Greek race only one OF the
competitors could win the prize; il
the Christian race all may reaoive the
crown of life. This makes the exhor.
| tation of the text still more emphatic,
$50 run that We may obtain
A great deal depends upon the be-
! ginning. Notice the runners at the
games. The signal to start has been
| given-they are off with a dash. II
there is one who has failed to make a
good start his chances to win are few.
So with the Christian. Not all, but a
great deal depends upon a good be-
| ginning-a beginning with determin-
alton and decision. Keep the object
OF the race before you and allow
nothing to hinder you in the course.
We need more men to-day who,
like the Reformer Of the Church,
stand firm upon their convictions.
Had he not decided with so much de-
termination that the church needed
| cleansing, had he not stood so firmly
at Worms before the papal prelates
and declared, Here I stand. J. cannot
do otherwise, God help me-" his mis-
| sion might have failed and his effort
| spent in vain. Set about any task Ian
| guidly, half heartedly and failure is
inevitable. When General Grant de-
| termined that the course he was.
| about to pursue was the proper one,
and said, 81 shall fight it out along
these lines If it takes all summer"
| his battles were half won. So is the
life of a Christian. Confess Christ,
not half heartedly, not weakly, but
with determination that come what
will you will always be a faithful fol-
lower. This is essential; make a
good start, and having started, con-
centrate all effort. This n thing
I do" says Saint Paul. II press to-
ward the mark" Concentration, like
decision, is essential to success. The
difference between the amateur and
the artist Isl that the one pursues his
art only occasionally and subordinate
ly, the other continuously and prima-
| rily. There are too many amateurs
among Christians, too many who are
religious only spasmodically. Make
your Christian life your highest aim.
It does not demand that you remove
yourself to a monastery or a cloister
or wander alone in the wilderness. 1t
does not need to interfere with the
legitimate aims of life, but IT, them all
we may be striving for the n end
to mold our lives that We may please
| Him. Concentrate your effort: 1t Is
very essential that you should run
with all your speed. How ridiculous
a sluggard would have appeared
lounging about the ancient Stadium,
protesting to be a runner, but never
progressing beyond the starting point.
| Why shall he enter the race If he does
not determine to run and run hard?
The secret lies in filling our lives
with good acts that we have no room
| for evil. walk in the spirit and ye
| shall not fulfill the lusts Of the flesh"
Ours is a positive life, a life Of Great
ing new desires rather than the
| crushing of old ones It must he a
life Of progress.
It is also essential that one keep to
| the course. To leave it may demand
a return to the starting point. The
prodigal son had travelled far from
home, but he had left the course and
had to plod YEARLY back to his faith
er's home step by step. 1t is not diff
| cult to know the course. The first
Victor has gone before US and we
need only follow Him. The Word
| enlightenB the way for US. The chief
requirement is that we obey it.
Again, having begun the race, 1t Is
essential that you persevere to the
end. The competitors in the Olym-
plan games had only short distances
to run, consequently they put all their
| effort in one short squirt. Our life Is
not so as viewed from the finite stand
point. We cannot put all our effort
into a few moments and then, weary
and enfeebled, be forced to relinquish
the race. Let us run with patience
the race and not start at such a pace
that we will be exhausted before we
have finished the course. There are
some Christians who, in their first
enthusiasm, spend all their effort and
then become disheartened. Realize
that the ace of a Christian requires
n continuous effort, and strive &C
c~ordingly. Persevere to the end.
Then what is the result Of all this ef>
fort?
The reward-It has its recompense
upon earth. Goodness is profitable
unto all things, having promise Of
the life that now Is and of the life to
come" The man who lives the life
| of the Christian athlete profits physi-
| cally, for it inculcates temperance,
| self-respect, industry and cleanliness.
1t helps him mentally. All other
things being equal, the nan who fol-
lows the rules Of the Christian will
be capable of the highest mental re-
suits. His mind has not become
| clouded with sin. But above all this,
it is profitable now in a spiritual
sphere. 1t gives to him a q%uietness
of conscience, a sense Of security IN
der the fatherly protection Of God,
the assurance of pardon for sins and
the Joy and helpfulness Of prayer.
This is but the earnest of a greater
and grander prize.
In the Stadium the prize, like all
| earthly honors, was p%erishable. But
the faithful Christian wins an incor-
ruptible, crown. A proud moment 1t
was when the successful racer had
the chaplet placed upon his brow
amid the applause and admiration of
the multitude. A grander moment
for the Christian conqueror when,
! amid the shouts of rejoicing Elyriads,
the pierced hands of the Saviour
| place upon his head the crown of
glory, and he hears the words; well
done, thou good and faithful servant,
| enter thou into the JOY Of thy re-
ward"