The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-12-01
HOLY WARFARE.

Selected for The Times-Dispatch)
Blessed be the Lord my strength.
who teacheth my hands to war and
my fingers to hght."-Psalm cxhv.
Gods ancient people, Israel, were
essentially a lighting people. The
whole of the Old Testament rings with
clang OF trumpets and the clash of
steel Israel had no settled country
until it he'd been fought fo-. Moses,
Joshua. Samson. David and Saul were
all men of war. and this warfare Of
Israel was holy warfare undertaken by
Gods command. and ii was the LORD
who gave the victory; the Lord who
taught their hands 70 war and their
fingers TO fight We Christians. though
servants Of the Prince OF Peace, are
also hghtins people, but in dit-
ferent way.
St Paul bids Us fight the good tight
and tells us TO put on the whole
soldiers OF Jesus Christ; he tells us
that our warfare is spiritual: that we
wrestle not only against flesh and
blood, but against princlpalitiss and
powers. the rulers Of darkness of this
world Our warfare is crusade
fought under the Cross We arc
pledged to war against sin and wrong
and falsehood and NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS..
the world the flesh and the devil.
Every soldier who has seen much Ser
- rf.il a r H.
ship, want or sickness. In other
words. he is marked man. We are
all marked men for good or evil We
carry Gods sign OF the devils brand
The Incorporate man. the gambler, the
idler. the unciean man. the man OF
ungoverned temper, each has his mark
to be read of God and man, just as
Gods faithful servant has his marks
which are seen ana known OF all.
Jesus Christ had His marks. He fought
with sin and death. and conquered,
but the wounds were there.
St Paul said, Il have fought d good
fight bear in my body marks or
the Lord Jesus" The struggle with
temptation had left these marks and
made him the wonderful man ne was
In Christ's army not every one is IN
high place. There are many humble
heroes. but they are seen OF God, who
seeth in secret and in His own good
tine will reward There are people
poo~ and lonely. uncsred for. who go
on day after day 1oing their duty.
bearing their cross. praying with poor
psi. lips. gentle and brave and endur-
ing all things There are poor moth
ers whose husbands have gone astray.
and these women. left with many chill
dren and great poverty. are lighting
as brave a fight as the general VINO
in great glory brings his victorious
army from the field Of battle We Of
ten meet people " no show no outward
scar OF mark OF struggle. but often
thev are nghtinS the brsvest fight
With a breaking heart they struggle
on agsin~t many trials. and trust God
10 teach their hands 10 war and thci~
nnsers 10 fsnL
il will no, DO Tor Is just 10 say
We are brave. We must prove II by oar
lives The Lord wants - 10 b.. prac-
tic4l Christians. men OF action. 50 that
ou. characters ma erow strong w"
must ;rust Cod. nos only iu great rat
tors. bur iu small ~ must no; fret
about tomorrow AMI neglect the duties
81 to--ay This spiritual warfare IS
continuous one. u takes faith ana
courage g. declare ourselves openly
oa Gods side sometimes. out lot us
not no. towards. Let Us make up our
mind. Co. 1--we ard die nshtins in This
holy warfare Blessed re The Lord.
,vl. scsrhcth m, han-s 60 war and
u, frx,rs Co. asht"