Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1921-03-24
MILITANT CHRISTIANITY.
By Rev. John 4. Crosse.


We must be a positive moral force
When was boy a popular hymn was
"Hold the Fort" Ii is now seldom
sang. because we are beginning 10
understand that Christianity is intend
ed to be a militant, conquerlng force
We now talk OF the "World for Christ
in this generation" and sing. Go
forth, go forth for Jesus" World
wide conquest is the thought perme-
a.ing. il not the origin of the various
Movements, plans and Campaigns in
the interest of Home and Foreign Mis-
sions. And this i. not a chimera. II
We but realized it we have the power to
do this. We have not heard too much
about our Resources" but too little
shout the "Weapons Of our Warfare"
PRAYER AS A WEAPON.
PRAYER is our weapon for long dis
lance fighting. We have too long
thought of prayer as means OF
Strengthening our own souls. or at the
most only a drill-seargant's baton.
Certainly prayer for these purposes is
not to be despised or neglected, but
that il is TO be used for a wider range
and more aggressive measures must
not be overlooked. S. ID. Gordon.
author Of "Ouet Talks" :-"Pray-
er is war measure-God'S greatest
agency; mans greatest agency for de-
feating the enemy is intercession."
Every time we pray soul 10 Christ we
weaken the ranks OF satan, and when
we pray. enmity, hatred, envy, pride.
err., out Of our own hearts it fills with
dismay the heart Of the evil one
when ] cry (pray) unto Thee, then
shall mine enemies turn back; this ]
Dee n, no a
part OF the Lords hosts winning vic
tories in any field we choose by means
OF prayer. We can project our faith
10 any point at any time and be fac
tor in deciding the battle for God. A
missionary writing from his far away
station. said BADLY as we need money.
we need prayers more. DON'T FAIL
TO PRAY FOR US" A Missionary
Bishop speaking Of the essential fac
tors, said eff you cannot do both.
give and pray, if you must make
choice, give us your prayers" When
it was decided by the Baptist Associa
ton to send 2 Missionary to India
where no Protestant Mission had yet
been established. and call was made
for volunteers, DR.. Carey said an
go down brethren. il you'll hold the
ropes" A church has no right to send
Missionaries out il it does not intend
TO hold them up bv faithful, earnest.
microscopy praying. Brethren, let
US hold the ropes. Nav, more, let us
take a cable tow's length twice around
the Rock Of Ages. and by the weapon
GAIL Prayer" force the fighting on the
fields Of battle till every citadel of
heather superstition shall surrender to
the Lordship of our Christ II is true
Satan trembles when he sees. the
weakest saint upon his knees" Let
then, not only the weak continue TO
pray, but the strong alsn and he shall
have good cause totremble, for the king
doms Of this world shall become the
i'ingdom of our Lord. and his Christ
AND HE SHALL REIGN FOR EVER
AND EVER. Rev. II: Is.
while Justice hears thy praying
faith,
1t cannot seal the sinners doom:
NY son is in nv servants PRAYER.
And Jesus forces me to spare"
THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT.
We cannot alwnvS kecr DIR enemies
at distance. Satan Genes Some
times as an angel of 'ioht ani is BY
our side, or worse still. ir our hearts
before we ere aware. Bu7van's pi,-
grim thought when the evil spirit
they came from his own heart. he was
80 near For close fighting. hand-to-
hand struggle, we have and should use
the Sword of the Spirit. which is the
Word of God. And tried, true blade
it is. Its worth has been proven in
many desperate conflict. Adam
Clarke says "An ability to quote this
IN times OF temptation and trial. has
wonderful tendency TO cut in pieces
the snares OF the adversary" David
said:- THY Word have | hid in nv
heart. that ! might not sin against
Thee" Psalm ll9: II. And Christ
worsted satan by correct quotations
from the Scriptures II was His skill
ful use of, end calm ouie' faith in tho
eAec'ency of that Sword that wounded
the tempter so deeply as tc compul him
to leave Him We cannot hop, 10 be
greater than our Lord "The disciple
IS not above his Master" II hc need
ef this Sword in His conlic: win his
enemy and ours much more do we.
yet 1t is generally conceded that there
IS less acquaintance with and less mas
tory Of. the Word of God than N prev
icois generations. while tie wholesome
custom OF learning Bible verses hv
heart has all but ceased in most uua--
teTs. What a oity that with so manv
commendable things urred uron us BY
the promoters Of the Methodist Cen
tenary we did not have some rlan
evolved to restore the Book from
whence came the inspiration of the
Movement to a place Of honor. was
1t An oversight or inten.ioral?
Christian in Pilgrims Progress in
his feht with Apollyon was about 10
be overcome when he reached out and
recovered his sword, quoting Micah 7.
q. Rejoice not against me. o mine
enemy: When I fall shall arise"
..And with that. gave him deadly
thrust, which made him give back. as