Triumph: A Discourse by H. C. Carpenter
H. C. Carpenter, D. D., thus beautifully discourses on this subject: “A triumphant spirit is as much the cause as the consequence of victory. Faith is but the valor of eternal truth. We need more of the exultant shout of assured victory. See yonder banner streaming in the smoke of conflict. It swoops, it reels, it disappears. A rally cry goes up above the storm of battle, the flag is rescued and victory won. “Take up the flag of salvation, soldiers of a better King, and bear it forward in triumph. Let it never trail in the dust. Were you to know that the morrow would find you in the skies, would you not begin the prelude to your song of triumph? Instead of tagging after the world and offering every paltry compromise, the church should tune herself to the minstrelsy of Heaven, and sing the world to the cross of Christ. Oh, the weary toil of the poor, weak church—how pitiful it is! Let her walk to her full joy and triumph! Let her march forward in her strength! They may cry, Do not hoist your banner so high; but the higher the better. Lift it, till the dying wretch lying prone in the dust shall be cheered by its beckoning folds. Lift it, till the last outcast hovering in the haunts of shame shall see it. Flaunt it in the teeth of vain philosophies, dart it at the great adversaries, let it be the ever-present talisman waving its perpetual promise of victory. Let the streamer feel the air, for Christ is coming. Hark! do you not hear the distant rumbling of the wheels of his mighty chariot as he comes conquering and to conquer? Do you not catch the music of God's great orchestra, as creation itself is attuning for the grand chorus to the King of kings and Lord of lords? Lo! He comes! Are you waiting for him? —Golden Censer.