ly he stepped into the company of those officers; they ordered
him to the ranks, but he said, "I am a captain." "By whose authority?"
they said. If then he had replied, "Because I feel like a captain,"
how ridiculous it would have been! Pointing to Napoleon, he said, "I
am a captain, because he said it." Thus with God's word as a
foundation we stand secure.
V
Do not forget to notice that we are told that we must come like little
children. Not like the philosophers of the world, but like little
children who always trust implicitly those who are about them. If we
would be saved, we must be willing to be taught, and we must some time
make a beginning. Then why not now?
Some years ago John B. Gough visited a home in a New England city, and
the heartbroken mother told him that her boy, who was an inebriate, was
confined in an upper room in the house, which was much like a cell.
The great temperance leader went to speak to him and said "Edward, why
don't you pray?" and he said, "Because I don't believe in prayer."
"But," said Mr. Gough, "You must believe in God." And he replied, "I
do not believe in anything." "I am sure you are wrong in this," said
he, "for I know that you believe in your mother." Then there came a
new look into his face when he said, "Yes, I believe in her." "Well,"
said Mr. Gough, "you must then believe in love. Let us fall upon our
knees and pray." And the young man began, "O love," and the spirit of
God said unto him, "God is love," and he changed his prayer and said "O
God," and then came the same spirit and said, "God so loved the world
that he gave his only begotten son," and he said "O Christ," and when
he said this the deed was done. He immediately rose from his knees,
and he has been free ever since.
FIVE KINGS IN A CAVE
TEXT: "_And it came to pass, when they brought out those kings unto
Joshua, that Joshua called for all the men of Israel, and said unto the
captains of the men of war which went with him, Come near, put your
feet upon the necks of these kings. And they came near, and put their
feet upon the necks of them. And Joshua said unto them, Fear not, nor
be dismayed, be strong and of good courage: for thus shall the Lord do
to all your enemies against whom ye fight._"--Joshua 10:24-25.
The history of the children of Israel is one of the most fascinating
stories ever written. It abounds in illustrations which are as
practical and helpful as any that may
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