The Religious Outlook

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXIII, 30 November 1940, Page 4

The Religious Outlook

ON GUARD

I J The sentry is a familiar figure in ■ these days of war. At training camps, > forts, aerodromes, barracks and vital ■ centres of industry, as well as along the i coasts, a ceaseless vigil is being main- ■ tained by armed watchers. They are ■ on guard against surprise attacks by 1 the enemy or sabotage by fifth columnists. Though guard duty is wearying and monotonous, yet it is a most essential part of our efforts against the foe, for, as is well known, “eternal vigilance is , the price of safety.” Is this not true also in the spiritual and moral spheres of life? All around us are lurking enemies, ever seeking to gain an entrance into the citadel of Mansoul. Well did the hymn-writer express the need of constant watchfulness when he penned the following | words: — “Christian, seek. not.yet repose. Perils round thy pathway stray, Thou art in the midst of foes, Watch and pray.” There are innumerable foes threatening our spiritual welfare against whom we must continually be on guard if we would retain our peace and maintain our communion with God. First of all we should put a strict guard upon our thoughts, for it is a solemn fact that “one wandering thought pollutes the day.” ■.‘lf thou wilt keep a guard upon our j thoughts,” wrote Baxter.” thou must in the first place keep a guard upon thy eyes and ears, and taste and touch; let not that come into these outer parts which thou desirest should go no further. Open not the door to them if thou would’st not let them in.” All that a man does outwardly is but the expression and completion of his inward thought. To work effectively he must think clearly; to act nobly he must think nobly. “Then let your secret thoughts be fail, They have a vital part and share. In shaping worlds and moulding fate; God s system is so intricate.” Secondly, we must put a guard upon our words, which are ihe expression of our thoughts. Let us remember that—- “ Words are mighty, words are living; Serpents with their venemous stings, Or bright angels crowding round us. With heavens' light upon their wings. Every word has its own spirit True or false that never dies; Every word man’s lips have uttered Echoes in God’s skies.” Hasty and ill-advised words have i often decided the fate of many a | friendship and perhaps the fate of > many a kingdom. On the other hand, Hind words are benedictions. They are not only instruments of power, but of benevolence and courtesy, blessings both to the speaker and hearer of them. As Milton wrote—- “ Apt words have pewer to ’suage The tumors of a troubled mind, And are as balm to festered wounds.” There is much conversation indulged in by many people, however, that is not helpful. Regarding this a writer gives the following good advice:— "Keep clear of personalities in conversation. Talk of things, objects, thoughts. The smallest minds occupy themselves with persons. Do not needlessly report ill of others. As far as possible dwell on the good side of 1 human beings. There are family boards [ where a constant process of depreciation, assigning motives, and cutting up character goes forward. They are not pleasant places. One who is healthy does not wish to dine at a dissecting table. There is evil enough in man, God knows. But it is not the mission of every young man and woman to detail and report it all. Keep the atmosphere as pure as. possible and fragrant with gentleness and charity.” Thirdly, we should guard our actions —for, as Shakespeare says—- “ ’Tis a kind of good deed to say well. And yet words are no deeds.” There are three sorts of actions: those that are good, those that are bad. and those that are doubtful. We ought to be most cautious of those that are douotful, for we are in most danger of these doubtful actions, because they do not alarm us. Yet they insensibly lead to greater transgressions just as the shades of twilight gradually reconcile us to darkness. Let us be on guard therefore about doubtful actions, for our acts make or mar us—we are the children of our own deeds. How true it is that one improper act will neutralise the effect of many good ones, and one bad deed, after years of noble service, will cover them all with shame. Ruskin points out another truth when ; he says, “There is no action so slight ; or so mean but it may be done to a great purpose and ennobled thereby.” If we guard our thoughts, our words ; and our actions therefore, we will live i our lives to noble purpose and at last, ( having, by Divine grace, kept the cita- ; del of our soul undefiled, hear the "well j done” of our Lord when the great i battle of life is over and the victory ; won.—“ The War Cry.”