THE King's highway is for footmen. A great many start for Heaven in chariots like Elijah, but the scattered spokes, and broken rims, and splintered poles, and moth-eaten cushions, on the way and in the way, convince us that the attempt was unsuccessful. We read of none who drove safely over the track but Elijah, and his horses were trained for the occasion, and as soon as he mounted the chariot, he left the earth. An hour's drive on the ground would have torn it to pieces. How this pride-born but broken down Christianity does cumber the way! False professions and false theologies—this educated humanity and scientific salvation make the path rather rough. The breakdowns of eighteen centuries are great obstacles to the footman who is heavily burdened and sick and weary. No man has a right to obstruct the public highway. Hang out the signal light, and clear the track!
The soldiers of the cross belong to the infantry. They are "shod with the preparation of the Gospel," and they know nothing of cavalry tactics. The weapons with which they are armed and the orders given belong to the infantry. The Lord appeared to Abram and said, "Walk before me, and be thou perfect." The command is heard repeated down the line by Isaiah, "Walk in the sight of the Lord." Ezekiel sends it along the column, "Walk in the ways I command you." John repeats it, "Walk in the light." Paul declares it again. "Let us walk by the same rule," and sometimes in haste he orders a double-quick and commands us to "Run the race set before us." None but an enemy would obstruct the way. Clear the track, the infantry are coming!
The cavalry may be expert in bringing on a battle, but when good, solid, fighting is expected, when a great engagement is had which settles momentous issues, the infantry are marched to the front. Mounted Christianity—the religion of high pretension and wide forage fields—may be worth something in covering a retreat, (provided our warfare ever contemplates such a movement,) but in the heat of battle, in contending for the faith, the life of the humble plodding footman must make the defense and win the victory.
These discussions about Evolution and Involution, about Transcendentalism and the Higher Life are simply skirmishes among the cavalry, or the harmless aerial engagements between the balloonists. Not holy talk, but holy living must sustain the truth and correct the creed. If you would destroy sin, whether it be in yourself or in another, you must aim low, for sin is a low thing, even when it is found in high places.
"The horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea," but "He said unto the footman that stood about him, 'turn and stay.'"
--G. A. N. in the Index.