The Army of the Lord by W. E. S.

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 17, 1878

The Army of the Lord.

By W. E. S.

“Among men, those who faithfully serve the Lord, obeying his voice, constitute his army on earth.” “Enlistments are still in order.”

I say amen to the above from Bro. Cottrell, in REVIEW No. 23, last volume. Having been a soldier for the Union, I appreciate most intensely those passages of Scripture that speak of the Christian course as a warfare, and of Christians as soldiers. The first duty of a soldier is loyalty. After taking the oath of allegiance, and subscribing to it, thus enlisting in due form in the service, desertion becomes one of the greatest crimes. By enlisting, the soldier surrenders his entire service for the time stated, even to the laying down of his life if the cause demands it. Hence obedience to the orders of his superior is one of the highest virtues, and disobedience is justly punished with severity.

Courage comes next among the qualifications of a good soldier. It enables him to stand in the ranks, heedless of all but duty, while loved friends and comrades are falling on all sides. In connection with watchfulness it enables him to serve in the important position of picket or advance guard. Placed far from the cheerful camp fire where rest his weary comrades after the arduous duties of the day, he knows no rest or sleep. Duty keeps him awake, while courage enables him to pace, without fear, the lonely path marked out for him to tread, piercing, with watchful eye, the surrounding gloom, ready to sound the alarm the instant danger approaches.

Within the camp are learned the various arts of war, such as moving in harmony, keeping step, and preserving order in all the various evolutions necessary to the highest state of perfection in the service.

Endurance is another very important qualification, enabling the soldier to bear the deprivation of food and rest, and to survive the hardships of the march.

These virtues, with patience and cheerfulness, will endear him to all with whom he comes in contact; and when found in the soldier of Christ, and perfected by grace, will enable him to enter into that warfare whose weapons are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds, with great boldness and a certain prospect of victory. W. E. S.