thou shalt have good success.'--JOSHUA i. 7,8.


This is the central portion of the charge given to the successor of
Moses. Joshua was a very small man in comparison with his predecessor.
He was no prophet nor constructive genius; he was not capable of the
heights of communion and revelation which the lofty spirit of Moses was
able to mount. He was only a plain, fiery soldier, with energy, swift
decision, promptitude, self-command, and all the military virtues in
the highest degree. The one thing that he needed was to be 'strong and
courageous'; and over and over again in this chapter you will find that
injunction pealed into his ears. He is the type of the militant servant
of the Lord, and the charge to him embodies the duties of all such.

I. We have here the duty of courageous strength.

Christianity has altered the perspective of human virtues, has thrown
the gentler ones into prominence altogether unknown before, and has
dimmed the brilliancy of the old heroic type of character; but it has
not struck those virtues out of its list. Whilst the perspective is
altered, there is as much need in the lowliest Christian life for the
loftiest heroism as ever there was. For in no mere metaphor, but in
grim earnest, all Christian progress is conflict, and we have to fight,
not only with the evils that are within, but, if we would be true to
the obligations of our profession and loyal to the commands of our
Master, we have to take our part in the great campaign which He has
inaugurated and is ever carrying on against every abuse and oppression,
iniquity and sin, that grinds down the world and makes our brethren
miserable and servile. So, then, in these words we have directions in
regard to a side of the Christian character, indispensable to-day as