p. 647 | Disaster and Defeat

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Oct 30, 1884

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 10, No. 41.

Disaster and Defeat.

DISASTER comes from without; defeat comes from within. Let the enemy batter down the walls, silence the guns, storm the defenses, even shoot away the colors—that is only disaster. It becomes defeat, when the garrison, of its own choice, upon its own responsibility, makes the sign of surrender. Not the surrounding colors of the enemy, though they be thick as autumn leaves, but the white flag on its own ramparts shows that the fort has fallen. There remains a possibility of victory to those who will fight, a hope for all save the hopeless, possible salvation for him who admits the possibility. Yet despite this fact, many a one, at one point or another, will insist on practically giving up the contest. This in little things and in larger. From the use of tobacco, for example, a friend's advice, a physician's warning, or a pastor's counsel, will never dissuade a man who persists in urging that because he tried to break the habit last year, and failed, it would be useless for him to try again. No drinking man who is ready to concede that the drink-demon is stronger than he, but will drink till he dies—and probably die of drink. He has already hung out the white flag of absolute surrender. Disaster has become defeat. Whoever has a besetting sin—and who has not?—may never get out of reach of its assaults. It may work disaster to his peace of mind, he may even be once or again worsted by it, and yet finally conquer. But the instant he acknowledges its supremacy, he is in the enemy's hands. Not failure as a fact, not failure as a confession, but failure as an excuse, brings hopelessness.—S. S. Times.