Recently, I visited Fort Monroe and was taken through those
interesting barracks. An officer pointing out a great gun said
to me, “With that we could tear to pieces yonder wall of stone
and destroy many lives thousands of yards away.” A friend
standing near said, “Not so, that gun in itself is powerless.”
“Oh,” the officer exclaimed, “of course, we must first place
the powder and the shell in it, and then the disastrous work
will be done.” The reply was made, “All of your guns and powder
and shell are absolutely powerless to make any impression in
themselves. There is one thing lacking.” “Yes,” he said, “but a
spark of fire would hurl forth the missile of death and bring
about the great destruction.” We may have big guns in the
pulpit, and in the pew, we may have the finest machinery and
external equipment; but unless we have the fire of the Spirit
we can never shatter the strongholds of Satan and bring in the
reign of our spiritual King.--H. ALLEN TUPPER.
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