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 PATRICK HENRY QUOTE - AMERICA

PATRICK HENRY QUOTE

 THE FAMILY ALTAR

September 17.

"Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended; but this

one thing- I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and

reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward

the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."

Phil. 3:13-14

The Apostle Paul has grown old and gray in the service of

his Master. For his dear Savior's sake he has brought the greatest

sacrifices, forsaking home and friends and worldly advancement,

suffering stripes and persecution instead. He is now even in bonds

for the GospePs sake and writes this letter to the Philippians from

his prison in Rome. Verily, if there ever was a Christian who

could think : "I can take things easy now in my Christian calling ;

I can rest on my laurels, for I have labored and suffered more for

my Lord than any other of His followers," — that man was Paul.

But what do we hear him say ? That the time for resting has not

yet come for him. He is still like a runner who never pauses in

his race, never looks back with self-satisfaction at the great distance

he has covered, never stops to pick some beautiful flower growing

near the wayside, but unfalteringly keeps his eyes fixed on the

goal before him and strives with might and main to gain the

precious prize. What an inspiring example the dear apostle here

has left to all of us ! Alas, under the cares and pleasures of life

we are so prone to forget the prize — the crown of immortal life.

There are times when we think we can take it easy in our Christian

calling, that we need not battle so earnestly against sin and the

world and our flesh, nor watch and pray so much, because we are

such good and virtuous Christians. But to pause and to rest in

our Christian race means to go backward, it may mean to fall away

from Christ altogether. God help us to follow the example of the

apostle and never to rest in our race until by His grace we reach

the mark, and attain the crown of life in our everlasting home.