The Pleasantville press. (Pleasantville, N.J.) 1912-1929, 1922-08-12

ed patriots to Its standard In city,
village and hamlet. He came into
Colosse n day and gathered a
crowd In the market place. He told
the story Of the awful conflict rag
lng-he called for volunteers-and a
fine specimen of Greek youth, edu-
Gated In the subtleties of philosophy,
cultured In the fine arts of his re-
nowned land, initiated into all its Sc
crets Of pleasure and enchantment,
stepped out Of the throng. He had
been thrilled by the recital of brave
deeds, crimsoned by sacrifice and suf-
fering. The appeal of the heroic fred
his soul a burning desire was kindled
to follow this great leader. He en-
listed beneath the banner of the cross.
He swore allegiance to the Christ Of
Calvary. He left home and kindred.
He became a staff-officer to the great
general Of the Christian forces. For
several years he shares the honors
of war, the spoils Of victory, until one
day in a fierce conflict with the en-
envy the great Commander Is taken
prisoner and cast into a dungeon in
Rome to await execution. This was
too much for the gallant young cap
tain. Disappointed, di~sconsolate. he
deserted.
General Paul writes a letter to Col
onel Timothy of his staff and tells
him the sad news. What a tragedy
He has fought side by side with the
greatest and grandest of soldiers. he
has shared the triumphs of the cross
from Antioch to Rome; then he desert
ed to the ranks of the enemy, forsak-
ing Christ for the world. No wonder
the heart Of the apostle is almost
broken. 1t seems we can hear the
sob Of his sorrow in these words:
How can we account for this de-
sertion?
l.. Demas Was Never a True Soldier.
A true soldier fights until peace Is
proclaimed or death rewards his faith
fulness. He may lose courage at times
when hard pressed, may doubt and fal.
ter; may even be defeated in battle
but he can never, never desert. De
sertion is the proof of a superficial
motive, the result of an attachment
His heart, soul, will, life, have not
been abandoned to the cause. The
Apostle John has explained this expert
ence. When referring to the multitude
of disciples who deserted Jesus, he
says: "If they had been of us, they
would not have gone out from u.s.
Demas is always present in histor!
Of the church. Thousands under tn,
spell of battle songs and enlistment
appeals have professed allegiance tt
Christ. They have put on the uni
form, taken their place in the ranks
perfected the drills, gone into battle
but when real testing came, they were
reported missing.
II. Demas Reveals the Deception o
the Human Heart.
1t is possible to so closely resembl,
a Christian that only God can tell thu
difference. Wheat and tares look eX
actly alike until harvest. Soldiers
wear the same uniform, fight undel
the same banner, follow the same com
MANUEL uillli LlS 1iioio oiAito AAS
one sticks, the other deserts. Satan
campaign is one of deception. III,
seeks to deceive mel and women will
n form of goodness, lifeless and worth
less. The more nearly the counterfeit
resembles the genuine, the greater tn
deception. Hundreds of unconverte,
people have been deceived. A pro
f~ession, a uniform, a dress parade
d battle have been the boast of dis
| cipleship, but their name Is Demas
for when wounds, bloodshed and sac
rifce came, they deserted.
III. Demas Shows the Subtle Attras
ton of the World.
Who can deny the fascination, TIL
bewitchery Of this world? Its sight
charm like the mirage, its sounds er
chant like siren voices, its fleetini
treasures create a riot of passion, 1t
pom and pride intoXicate the sou
Demas loved the world; 1t was fata
He never really opened his heart t
the love of eternal things. IF an
man love the world, the love of tn
Father is not in him." Friendshi
with the world is enmity to God. L
set the affection on things on tn
earth, is to deny heaven its rightfr
obligation. To follow the world
maxims and principles is to discour
the Word of God and the guidance G
His Spirit. To live for a good tim
n a doomed world where sinners ar
going the downward path to hell,
for Nero to fiddle while Rome burn'
for the captain to dance while the Il
TAME sinks. God has called us nc
only to salvation, but out of the work.
Come We out from among them an
be We separate"