CHURCH PARADE AT ST. MARY'S, ADDINGTON.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 10864, 14 January 1901, Page 5

CHURCH PARADE AT ST. MARY'S, ADDINGTON.

At St. Alary's Church yesterday the Rev. W. S. Bean preached a stirring sermon from the text, "Thou therefore endure hardness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ." The members of the Canterbury troop were present, under Lieutenant Mostyn Jones. The speaker said that amongst the qualities necessary to constitute a good soldier, hearty service iva. the first of them. To be good soldiers of Jesus Christ, it was also necessary to freely and enthusiastically engage in his service, enlisting not because we were driven to it. but because we cordially approved of and cheerfully responded to His ck-ms. Implicit obedt-nce to his commander's orders was another necessity to every gcod soldier. This was what formed the glory of that wonderful charpe made by the Light Brigade. As regarded iti- purpose and result it was a c____!*___i_y. lamented and condemned by every one. As regarded the qualities it displayed, it was an heroic achievement, praised by evsryone. When our Great Captain commanded, it was not for us to enquire into the reasonableness of the command or probable result of obedience, but to promptly and chesriuliy obey. They soared highest;" they acted -with the

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great-ait vigour; th?y moved with the greatest freedom, who kt-pt themselves most subject to t.-.a restraints oi the Law of their meat Ideal. A third quality essential to t.Tie good soldier was faith in his Isttd.r. He might know little or nothing of the battle in which he was an actor. He believed, however, that his general knew. In our warfare we were equally required to have .faith in our King. Careful training was another thing ol" great importance. Ths most intelligent men proved ths best The worthier the Master, the more efficient should His servants bft. Armies are composed of picked men, and even so should Christ's ba comprised of men wd--U*ain_d and rejoicing in the vigorous use of all their power.*. Each of ua t-huiud ie_.d_r Him the hist that he has. The l;_*t grt-at quality of a good soldier was given in the text, itself.

-'Thou therefore endure -hardness." Heroic effort and patient endurance were very neoessary. There would bs always difficulty and hardships during a war. whatever was to be sxpected at its conclusion. Ths life of a Christian also was not one of easo and rtlf-indulgence, but- of difficult wo:k, ar.d painful trials. But. in ihe midst ot spiritual battks, far above the din of tho world's doubts and perplexities, stood tha great Captain of our .salvation, ready to clothe us in His armour. Wo'should.trust Him, obey Him, love Him, and war would end in final victory.