34
Testimonies for the Church Volume 4
ing personal vigor, healthful activity, fortitude, and firmness. Many
[34]
witnesses, kings and nobles, were present on these occasions. It was
considered the highest honor to gain a simple chaplet which would
fade in a few short hours. But after the competitors for this perishable
crown had exercised severe abstemiousness and submitted to rigid
discipline in order to obtain personal vigor and activity with the hope
of becoming victors, even then they were not sure of the prize. The
prize could be awarded to but one. Some might labor fully as hard as
others, and put forth their utmost powers to gain the crowning honor;
but as they reached forth the hand to secure the prize, another, an
instant before them, might grasp the coveted treasure.
This is not the case in the Christian warfare. All may run this race,
and may be sure of victory and immortal honor if they submit to the
conditions. Says Paul: “So run, that ye may obtain.” He then explains
the conditions which are necessary for them to observe in order to be
successful: “And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate
in all things.”
If heathen men, who were not controlled by enlightened con-
science, who had not the fear of God before them, would submit
to deprivation and the discipline of training, denying themselves of
every weakening indulgence merely for a wreath of perishable sub-
stance and the applause of the multitude, how much more should they
who are running the Christian race in the hope of immortality and the
approval of High Heaven, be willing to deny themselves unhealthy
stimulants and indulgences, which degrade the morals, enfeeble the
intellect, and bring the higher powers into subjection to the animal
appetites and passions.
Multitudes in the world are witnessing this game of life, the Chris-
tian warfare. And this is not all. The Monarch of the universe and
the myriads of heavenly angels are spectators of this race; they are
anxiously watching to see who will be successful overcomers and win
the crown of glory that fadeth not away. With intense interest God
and heavenly angels mark the self-denial, the self-sacrifice, and the
agonizing efforts of those who engage to run the Christian race. The
[35]
reward given to every man will be in accordance with the persevering
energy and faithful earnestness with which he performs his part in the
great contest.