Gilpin observer., 1911-10-26
A CLOUD.0F
WITNESSES

as his text Hob, 12-1, Wherefore see
ing We are compassed about with
SO great cloud Of witnesses, let us
lay aside every weight. and the sin
which Goth SO easily besct us an1
let Us rim with patience the race that
is set before u.s." giving "The Cloud
of Witnesses" as one of the reasons
for living the Christian life. He said
in part
Heb. 12-1-"Wherefore seeing we
also compassed aboat with SO great
cloud of witnesses, let US lay
aside every weight, and the sin which
doth so easily Eeset us, ard let US
run with patience the race that is
set before u.s.
The figure Of language is fami-
liar one. In the Olympian races, men
stripped themselves Of everything
that would in any way hinder them,
and then they ran with all their
might for the Prize, thought it was
often crown of leaves. If men
would run like that for the crown of
leaves and the applause of the world
which stood looking on, how ought
we to run for the crown of immortal
life while the angels of Heaven, are
looking on?
l have lived in this wcrld a while
l have observed the progress of como
men in the Christian lie; and have
raarha1 tho oopoulciop fbat tho raac
on multitude of People are making
so little progress, is that they are
trying TO carry SO many and so great
weights while they run in the race
for Heaven. The reason conc have
given up trying to live the Christian
life is that they have attempted to
carry such great weights that they
could not run in the race. The reas-
on that some churches, never make
any progress and never set anybody
into the kingdom is that they are
weighed down with many things that
hinder them in tie work of the Lord
The only remedy for such an indiyi-
dual or such church. is to strip
themselves CT every weight, and, cast
away every sin. and run with pat
ience the race. l think the run with
patience in this p'ace means We
shall trust while we run.
Our text suggests as a reason for
laying aside whatever MAY hinccr us
in the race, the great cloud of wit
nes5es that are looking on. Angels
are looking on and will rejoice at
our success. Devils are looking on
and will rejoice at our defeat. Cur
childrens success, in life is very
largely decided by our succe-s. Our
neighbors will decided to become
of the world. by whether or not we
win, in the race for the crown. And
SO dear Christians here tonight, we
had better lay aside every weight
and the sin which doth so easily be.
set us. in order that We may win the
crown and bring our children and our
neighbOrs after US, to Heaven.
Somebody has said that none of us
like to wear our hearts on our
sleeves, and there is "a vein of truth
in it; but Notwithstanding our likes
or our dislikes. the Master has tod
us to 'let your light 50 shine before
men that they may see your good
works." He who covers up his light
disobeys God ard will lose his light.
l remember the story CT young fell
low who professed conversion. He
went away into another community
and when he returned some ore ask
ed him how he was getting along in
the Christian life. He said Nobody
has found 1t out yet" Oh. friends,
God has no room for idlers in his
Kingdom. We must come out from
the world and be so separated from
the ways of the world that the world
will know that we have been with
Christ Then we may have some pow
er with men, to lead them to the
cross.
1t doesn't make any difference
what you may say about 1t, you your
self are not quite the same man
about your daily work. that you are
out in society. When you are away
from home you put on your best be-
havior as well as your best clothes
and you are not quite the same that
you are at home. want you to un-
derstand that you are living your
lives before God and the angels, be
fore your children and your neighbors
and l think you will lead better
life because OF the witnesses that
are looking on.
II you remember the story of "Pil.
grims Journey" you will remember
that 1t was at the cross that his