The Norfolk weekly news-journal. (Norfolk, Neb.) 1900-19??, 1912-02-09
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GODS FOR WARD SIGNAL.

David was at war The IhiltStincS
were hedging him pretty close. III"
had his troops marshalcd and arraycd
for battle Then there's hush. Re
member the night before the battle
back in the sixties, Comrade? Many
Il good soldier went into his tent and
laid his sword at the feet OF the god
of battles. After the council OF war
adjourned many n division. corps and
army commander humbly awaited an
answer from the Lord OF hosts. SO
David waited and was told to take his
place near Il grove OF mulberry trees,
and ut daybrCak when he heard the
trampnE and marching, not OF the
Philistincs. but OF the movement Of
the angelic armies of heaven, then the
moment for the decisive blow had ar
rived. | do not know just what Da
vid henrd-ClattCr of horses hoOf.
thunder OF chariot wheel, clash of ar
NOR only know that when he had
done his all ne went to headquarters.
and from there came the signal from
God to 20 forward TO victory. Catch
the significance. O church of God
Not the arm of flesh and blood. but OF
omnipotcnt God. Makes one think OF
EliShaS servant going out in the morn
ing and seeing the mighty host of the
Syrians Hear him cry, ALAS, master,
what shall we do?" Ever ask that
question. Christian. when some sheer
ing critic asks. "Who Is God|' where
is he?" Then comes the opening OF
your eyes. and the mountain is seen
alive with the allied armies of God.
1.-THE TumuIt and the Shouting Dies"
Ten miles OF warships in the hnr
Dor. twenty-five thousand fighting
men. soldiers and blueiaCkets, in line
Bands playing, banners flying, tri
umphal arches and reviewing stands.
We're fond of trooping flags and mass
ing bands. flashing gold lace and rat
Ting gun carriages They're visible
symbols of national preparedness, and
our eyes glow with glory and our
bodies CULVER with pride. Oh yes,
and our God is there too.
But back OF the warrior and orator.
steel. stands what? They who reckon
odds in number and size take account
OF battleShipS and armies. but men Of
larger world vision look back OF
courier wounded rain falling, a
bridge swept away and see the hand
of him who moves men as pawns on
earths Chcssboard. And those OF us
who would win battles for eternity
shall not we see our God standing in
the shadow and recognize that grain
of faith may sometimes outweigh an
army? When God calls his church to
a forward movement let the brave ad
vance.
Wen sound the loud timbrel DER Egypt
dark sea.
Jehovah hath triumphed; his people are
free.
Fluttering Signals.
Has there been an ebb in the tide Of
the church? Are newspapers and mag
aZines asking What's the matter with
Christianity" Is there decrease i'm
the numbers of those added to the
church? Are Sunday school statistics
alarming? DO stalwart young men re
fuse to enter the ministry. saying, at
is no longer a mans job" Are the
PhilstincS boastfu and snceriag?
Then a revival in its real meaning, "a
renewal of life" is needed. Men are
anxious for revival in business
When does a church need spiritual
Quickening? When prayer meetings
are Il jest and Sunday evening attend
ance is slim, with church baZaaTs
crowded and animated. When shorter
sermons and more music sung per
hapS by ungodly chOirs, is called for.
When Bible is forgotten, private pray
or unusual. the Lords Supper forSaEen
When worldly men control the church
and the minister fears the wealthy sin
ncr in the pew. When social pres ICE
mark the church'S ambition; when form
and ritual and church millinery mean
more than the sharp definite procia-
nation Of the gospel Of salvation
through Jesus Christ. When the church
Of the living God falls asleep with dy-
ing sinners in its arms. Then comes
Gods call for forward movement
The Sound Of Marching.
Stand back We timid. God has not
forsaken his world Come. Elijah, to
Mount Carmel. God is going to an
swer by fire. Prophecy to the winds.
Ezekiel, over the valley Of dry bones
Take your stand by the Jordan, John
the Baptist Assemble yourselves, We
faithful, for n PenteCoSt Let the An
guStines, Luthers, Knoxes, WeSleys
Foxes, Finneys and Moodys take their
place by the grove OF mulberry trees
Gods signal is flashing Are you con
temptibly few I'm numbers? God does
not deal in majorities, big figures are
often ciphers. Fling scOrn upon weap
ons OF flesh. accept Gods challenge
Remember Gideon. with his little regi
ment charging the host of Midiani'as.
Jonathan with single companion at
lacking an army OF philistines. Mag
nifcent figures these. Man made su-
perman. victory in their voice. tri
umph in their face. Say. lonely, dis
pirited, heartbroken pastor. do you
hear the signal In the tops OF the mul
berry trees? Then 90 forward in the
name Of your God The time Of his ad
vance Is ut hand God goes before
his people The individual and ma