Norwich bulletin., 1913-07-05
SUNDAY MORNING TALK
LAST EDITION GIDEoNITEs

There were 32,000 in Gideon's host at
 the beginning. After the timid ones had been removed 10,000 remained X second searching test left only 900 m an fit and willing to do battle. But these last were warriors whom no danger could alright and no difficulty appal It seems strange that out of an arm y that would have made so formidable a showing on dress parade or at a mir ltary picnic. only about one out of eV - cry hundred was eligible for the her oic enterprise in hand. The shrinka6 e must have caused some misgivinPe, even among the survivors themselves, especially as they looked down the valley upon the widespread Midiani: q host.
 The courageous attack of the little 1 band was successful however, anG Gideon was abundastly justified in his unusual preparation for the fight He was not the first general nor the last ! finding it better to go into battle at the head of 8 handful of loyal veterans than commanding a rabble intent only , on flight
 We often attach undue importance 1 to mere numbers. We bow down to ! the crowd. We assume that all mat ters are settled after we have count ed heads
 The truth is that chances of success are not to be gagged solely perhaI even principally, by these numerical standards. It would steady us mary times to learn the arithmetic of God There is a divine strategy whereby 1 there shall "one chase a thousand anu two put 10000 to flight"
 1 have known two or three good women to start a train of forces that eventually cleaned up township. have known dozen men, aroused and enthusiastic, to change the whole mor- al climate of the city they lived in Thugs and disreputables found the at 1 mesphere becoming too rarified and
 moved out
 l Almost any good enterprise you can mention is really supported by a small ceterie of interested, enthusiastic peo- pie. They stoke the fires and stand at the wheel while numerous passen- gers share the glory of the voyage by
 occupying steamer chairs. They bring the banquet to pass while others s4t a the head table and make the impreS { Sive remarks.
 As a clergyman, let me pay tribute i to the faithful few always to be count | ed on in the steady work of the church The minister may find himself neglect ed by many. maltreated by few, but he is pretty sure to find himself sus- tained and helped by a choice circle
 who have caught his ideals and shared ! his spirit, These loyal, dependable James upon the-spot people make nj.
 work possible and yield joy and inspi | ration to his life
 l The boys of the state militia wert l expected home after a week of camr i duty. An officer of the regular army | passing along the street was cheered i by the crowd waiting to welcome tho volunteers. The man in khaki smfler grimly They needn't cheer me-" hs
 said; I'm no hero I'm just a regular Tell me. you who have ever tried t. i lead a charge against either materia
 or spiritual foes, what would you q
 without the regulars those disci- plined and faithful souls who can b.
 counted on? They serve. not in spasm. l of enthusiasm, but with the steady 1 reasoned persistence that counts. Be | cause of their splendid courage tn, colors are kept flying, the guns ar,
 fired, and the victory won
 | THE PARSON,