The Chocolate Soldier | Page 2

feat? His open secret? He was THE FRIEND OF GOD.
MOSES--the man of God--was a species of human chameleon--scholar,
general, law-giver, leader, etc. Brought up as the Emperor's grandson
with more than a good chance of coming to the throne, one thing only
between him and it--Truth--what a choice! What a temptation! A throne
for a lie! Ignominy, banishment, or likely enough death for the truth!
He played the man! "Refusing to be called the son of Pharaoh's
daughter, he chose rather to suffer affliction with the people of God
than to enjoy the pleasures of sin and success for a season, accounting
the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt."
Again I see him. Now an old man and alone, marching stolidly back to
Egypt, after forty years of exile, to beard the lion in his den, to liberate
Pharaoh's slaves right under his very nose, and to lead them across that
great and terrible wilderness. A WILD-CAT AFFAIR, if ever there was
one! When were God's schemes otherwise? Look at Jordan, Jericho,
Gideon, Goliath, and scores of others. Tame tabby-cat schemes are
stamped with another hall mark--that of the Chocolate Brigade! How
dearly they love their tabbies yet think themselves wise men! REAL
CHRISTIANS REVEL IN DESPERATE VENTURES FOR CHRIST,
expecting from God great things and attempting the same with
exhilaration. History cannot match these feats of Moses. How was it
done? He consulted not with flesh and blood, he obeyed not men but
God.
Once again I see the old grey-beard, this time descending the Mount
with giant strides and rushing into the camp, his eyes blazing like
burning coals. One man against three million dancing dervishes drunk
with debauchery. Bravo! Well done, old man! First class! His cheek
pales not, but his mouth moves, and I think I catch his words, "If God
be for me who can be against me? I will not be afraid of 10,000 of the
people that have set themselves against me. Though a host should
encamp against me, my heart shall not fear." And he didn't. He wins

again. Whence this desperate courage? Listen! "Now the man Moses
was very meek above all the men which were upon the face of the
earth." "The Lord spake unto Moses face to face as a man speaketh
unto his friend." "My servant, Moses," said his Master, "is faithful in all
Mine house, with him will I speak mouth to mouth." Such is the
explanation of Moses the chameleon, the man and friend of God and
consequently a first-class hero.
DAVID--the man after God's own heart--was a man of war and a
mighty man of valour. When all Israel were on the run, David faced
Goliath--alone ... with God--and he but a stripling, and well scolded too
by his brother for having come to see the battle. What a splendid fool
Eliab must have been! as though David would go to see a battle and not
stay to fight. THEY ARE CHOCOLATE SOLDIERS WHO MERELY
GO TO SEE BATTLES, AND COOLLY URGE OTHERS TO FIGHT
THEM. They had better save their journey money and use it to send out
real fighters instead. Soldiers don't need dry nurses, and if they did the
Holy Ghost is always on the spot and ready to undertake any case on
simple application. No! David went to the battle and stayed to fight,
and won! Wise beyond his years, he had no use for Saul's armour. It
cramped his freedom of action. He tried it on and took it off, quick
sharp. And, besides, it made such a ghastly rattle, even when he walked,
that he could not hear the still small voice of God, and would never
have heard Him saying afterwards, "This is the way to the brook, David!
and there are the five smooth stones! Trust only in Me and them. Your
own home-made sling will do first class, and there! that's the shortest
cut to Goliath." THE CHOCOLATES RAN AWAY--they were all
Chocolates--but David ran upon Goliath. One smooth stone was
enough.
David's secret was that he had but one Director, and He, the Infallible
One. He directed the stone, as He directed the youth. Too many
directors spoil the sport, and two are too many by just one. Thus Christ
said to His soldiers: "HE shall teach you all things, HE shall guide you
into all the truth."
"THIS is My Beloved Son: HEAR HIM."

"ONE MEDIATOR ONLY, between God and Man, the man Christ
Jesus."
ONE DIRECTOR OF CHRISTIAN MEN--GOD THE HOLY GHOST.
Whose directions require indeed instant obedience, but not the
endorsement of any man.
THE DEVIL NEEDS RED-HOT SHOT, FRESH FROM THE
FOUNDRY OF THE HOLY GHOST. He laughs at cold shot or tepid,
and as for that made