Communion and Victory

 •  1 min. read  •  grade level: 9
(EXTRACT FROM A LETTER TO A YOUNG SOLDIER.)
WHAT a tender plant communion is! It is of heavenly origin, and was brought into this world by the Holy Ghost at Pentecost. No wonder, therefore, that it needs such jealous care and culture in such an atmosphere as tins: What is so remarkable about it is, that, unlike most exotics, the sunshine of this poor world is often the very worst thing for it, and it has even been known to thrive better under stormy skies than under the most smiling beams of earthly prosperity; better amid hard looks, bitter words, or even hard blows, than under the kindest treatment that the world could possibly offer. I don’t doubt, dear J―, that you know something of this in your barrack-room experiences. But with every opposition we are sure of victory in the end. And what does it matter how much an army may seem to suffer defeat during a severe night struggle, if the men are fully assured that a brilliant victory is theirs at day-dawn? And not only shall we, through grace, be victors in the end, but “more than conquerors, through Him that loved us” (2 Sam. 23:1010He arose, and smote the Philistines until his hand was weary, and his hand clave unto the sword: and the Lord wrought a great victory that day; and the people returned after him only to spoil. (2 Samuel 23:10)).