The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1927-01-27

Luke ALTO, L. COT. lU.lZ, 10.
In that he himself being tempted, he
is able to succOr them that are
tempted.-Hebrews 2:1S.
THE BATTLERS.
Belgium lost her territory, but
saved her SOUL" That was familiar
bit of phrasing during the World War.
1t is equally as expressive of the indi-
vidual, for he too must fight for his
soul. There are no ideals that do not
have to do battle for existence, no as
pirations that do not have to struggle
their way to achievements. Upon the
plains of the spirit are fought the
realest battles the world knows and
this lesson tells the story of one such
conflict waged in the tremendously
human life of our Lord Always a
picture in speech He gave this graphic
description to His disciples, perhaps
among the rugged fastnesse of Her.
mon, perhaps about some quiet camp
fire when under the witchery of its
blaze there was the unfolding of con-
fidences that went into the secret
springs of conduct. Matthew's order
is likely to be the truer one though
there is such INTERVIEWING of the in
ner urge that one is as much fact as
the other. They both are reproducing
the wonderfully vivid story recounted
by Jesus in some explanation of the
course He was pursuing. Whatever
else one may say we are watching the
soul of a real man attempt to find its
way in the perpleXities of conscious
power. There is no need to visualize
the scene as the Oriental mind de-
mands, and picture two great figures
arrayed against one another. The
thing Jesus described is familiar to
each of US and the striking statement
is that our Lord identified our i'm
pulses to accept compromises, to yield
to the tug of self-interest as Satanic
things. "You Satan!" He cried to
Peter when he protested against the
acceptance of the cross and used his
warm affection as a lever to change
the direction Of Christ's journeyings.
whate'er ones belief about the devil
outside he can have no quarrel over
the grim reality of the struggle with
in who would throne selfishness and
crown lust as lords over his life. And
it is here that truest kingliness is
wrought out.
THE DAY.
Jesus had quietly followed the
tasks of Joseph and had cared for the
family in Nazareth. There came a
time when His immediate work was
no longer needed for their support,
and the steady thinking over the riot
Gus feelings of the day that swept
many into the fellowship of zealot
bands, committed to the overthrow of
Rome, leaped eagerly to accept the
movement about the Jordan of which
John was the center as the one sure
road to the Kingdom all desired. He
left the shop and listening to the
fervid eloquence of the desert leader
He prayed His way into the water to
give Himself to its following. Sud-
denly there was the illumination of
His spiritual instincts and He heard
within the clear voice saying: "This is
my Son." He had thought John was
the Messiah, but now He had His own
call and that elation of spirit carried
Him into the wilderness to settle the
consequences of this new conscious
ness of the destinies of leadership.
The call was perfectly clear; what
should be done with its acceptance,
which was immediate and eager, rails
ed other puzzling questions that must
have settlement before He faced His
task among the crowds. There were
number of courses open for Him.
For more than month there was
such intent thinking that all measure
Of time was lost. Indeed it is quite
possible that "forty" is a pictorial
representation of an unknown process
sion of days as "Satan" may be that
of inner impulses. To gain a follow
ing was perfectly simple matter,
but to lead in the direction of right
eousness is quite a different proposal.
He must bring the Kingdom of Heav-
en- into the life of earth and any man
who attempts it today must face the
bitterest opposition. Take the question
of warless world, certainly part of
the Kingdom dream for the race.
Riots on the campus and newspaper
pillories without have been the part
of some students who proclaimed their
refusal to bear a rifle against an
alien. The World Court has gone
glimmering for all the United States
is concerned. China is getting from
Christian nations by riot and armies
what she could not secure by appeals
to sense of justice. Big navy advo-
Gates, military training in schools and
other adventures in making a military
mind are all to be met by the weapon
less warrior. 1t merely indicates the
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