Page:Item 8 1860.pdf/176

and repel anything of the kind. Bear this in mind, for what I have further to say, which is that certain persons say we are living under the protection of Almighty God. I believe that as a people we are so. Great Britain is the great disseminator of Protestantism, of an open Bible – of missionary enterprise – and first in every good work. I echo the sentiment that we are living under the protection of Almighty God, and I think that if any foreign potentate were to attempt to set foot on our shores, with that protection he would be compelled to retire discomfited and beaten. But, mark! God works by means. He would not extend His blessing and protection over us unless we made use of the means. His protection would be shewn in blessing the means which we used. Of that there is an example in the Word of God which comes home to this case and which exactly tallies with our condition. Let me call your attention to Abraham, who was called the holy man of God, and who had close communication with Him. God conferred upon him distinguished privileges; he was called “the friend of God”. God came down to Abraham and told him “I am thy shield and thy exceeding great reward.” Now, you know a shield protected the wearer from dangers, and if Abraham had God for his shield he would be thus protected. If there ever lived a man in the world who could say “I can leave all to God”, it would have been Abraham; but mark what he did. Abraham had 318 servants, and he armed and drilled them, and they became a Company just like the 1st Cinque Ports Rifle Volunteers [Applause]. And these armed servants were not for show, merely, but for use; because at the time when his brother Lot was taken away captive, Abraham, having armed his 318 men, followed the four kings and conquered them, while he recovered his brother and took part of the spoil which those kings had carried off. If the sacred historian had stopped at that point of the narrative we might have inferred that God had blessed him; but the historian tells us further that on his return from victory, he was met by Melchizedek, King of Salem, “the Priest of the Most High God,” who feasted him and blessed him, saying “Blessed be Abraham of the Most High God, the possessor of heaven and earth; and blessed be the Most High God who hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand”. The consequence was that God gave the victory, but He gave it because Abraham had used the means. From this example you will see why I believe God is blessing us, and that he will bless the Volunteer movement. But He will bless us only while we make a proper use of the means placed at our disposal. And now, having explained to you the ground on which I believe it to be a privilege and a duty to take part in this undertaking. I will ask you to join me -