August 23

JESUS OUR COMMANDER.

"Commander of the people." - Isaiah 4:4.

WAR is an awful calamity; but there is a spiritual warfare in which we should all do well to engage — war against sin, under the Captain of our salvation. Let us inquire into the nature and duties of the office of a commander, and see how they will apply to Christ. As a Commander

HE ASSEMBLES HIS SOLDIERS. All the individuals who compose his army are volunteers — none are pressed into his service against their inclination; they are gathered around the standard of the cross, by the preaching of his Gospel, attended with the power of his Spirit. As a Commander

HE DISCIPLINES THEM FOR BATTLE. There are many arts to learn, a regular course of training to go through, before the soldier is fit for service. A soldier's life is neither idle nor easy. The Christian is trained by his Commander for the good warfare. "He teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight." Soldiers are sometimes exercised privately, when they are not engaged in actual conflict, but not so with the Christian. He has enough really to exercise him in engagements with the enemy, without any sham fights. As a Commander

HE CONDUCTS THEM TO WAR. He is their Leader, to guide them in their march. But how?

By his word. There are many who would be interested in Christ as a Saviour, but they do not desire him as their Commander. The commander's word is the soldier's law. Is it so with us in reference to Christ's word? Are we ready implicitly to obey?

By his example. He has left us a good pattern. It is recorded of Julius Casar, that he never said to his men, go, but come; he himself led the way. It is so with our Divine Commander. He says, "Follow me."

By his Spirit. The Spirit is given to guide us into all truth, and leads us in the way of duty. As a Commander

HE FURNISHES PROVISIONS. "Who goeth to a warfare at his own charges?" Our Commander has supplied us hitherto, to the wonder of his friends, and the confusion of his enemies. Divine supplies are laid up in the inexhaustible fulness of Christ, and dispensed as they are required. As a Commander

HE ANIMATES THEM IN THE CONFLICT. The presence of the general inspires the soldiers with fortitude — they are valiant while they catch his eye, and see him unruffled. The Captain of our salvation emboldens us with his promises. As a Commander

HE REWARDS THEIR LABORS. Revelation 3:21. The soldier rejoices when the toil of the conflict is over, and victory is shouted; but what is this to the joys and triumphs of the redeemed above, where the palm of victory is waved, and the

A BECOMING CONVERSATION.

Aqueror's song is celebrated? How honorable is it to fight under the conduct of such a Commander! Am I a soldier of Christ? If I am; let me go forth, setting up my banner in his name.