Head-quarters by M. H. Jaquith

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Apr 15, 1886

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 12, No. 15.

Head-quarters.

By M. H. Jaquith

It is told as one of the "funny" incidents of the war that two half-drunken soldiers met in the sutler's tent, which was really a drinking-saloon. After mutually treating, they inquired of each other's division, one belonging to the army of the Potomac, the other to the army of the Cumberland. While again drinking to the success of these two armies, there came in the chaplain, and, presuming he came on an errand similar to theirs, one asked his army, thinking to drink to its success also.

"I belong to the army of the Lord," was the prompt reply.

"Don't you think you've got a good ways off from head-quarters when you're in here?" was the hiccoughed response.

While we perceive, and smile at the humor of the anecdote, we recognize the fact that struck the bewildered consciousness of even this drunken man, that there are places so evidently in the "enemy's country" that a true soldier will not be found there, and other places so doubtful in character that it tells against his fealty to his commander-in-chief to be seen in them, implying the sad, terrible truth that the inconsistencies of Christians often tell wonderfully against their profession, and keep uncounted numbers out of the ranks, preventing recruiting and enlisting under the banner of King Emmanuel.

When we think of it, it seems incredible that any soul, after once it has heard and accepted the call for recruits, and started forward in the ranks under such a Leader as is ours, with a bold front to the foe, should be overcome by sloth, by cowardice, by the perils of the way, or want of faith in his Major-General, and fall to the rear.

Far from head-quarters! Too far to hear the reveille, the morning call to duty; far from the sound of the bugle's note of warning, the trumpet's call to the fray; too far to see, and by the seeing catch the inspiration of that banner floating over head-quarters, "which is love."

Near to head-quarters! To the timid soul, shrinking from the battle's shock, how much it means to know that close at hand is his Leader, who has charge of the abundant armory, and from its unfailing supply is handing out to all who will receive, girdles of truth, the breastplates of righteousness, and shields of faith, giving to each the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit. Life has many ways where our Leader cannot follow us; we must follow him, and we have safety only when near to head-quarters.—M. H. Jaquith, in Christian Weekly.