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30 chapters
TRUE WORDS FOR BRAVE MEN.
TRUE WORDS FOR BRAVE MEN.
by CHARLES KINGSLEY, late rector of eversley; chaplain to the queen and to the prince of wales . A BOOK FOR SOLDIERS’ AND SAILORS’ LIBRARIES . eleventh thousand . London : kegan paul , trench , & co. , 1 paternoster square . 1884. The Rights of Translation and of Reproduction are Reserved . Dedicated by kind permission to General Sir WILLIAM CODRINGTON, G.C.B., and Admiral WELLESLEY, C.B., in memory of CHARLES KINGSLEY, who was proud of their friendship , and loved and honoured them as h
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I. THE GOOD CENTURION; OR, THE MAN UNDER AUTHORITY.
I. THE GOOD CENTURION; OR, THE MAN UNDER AUTHORITY.
“And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto Him a centurion, beseeching Him and saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home, sick of the palsy, grievously tormented. And Jesus said unto him, I will come and heal him. The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that Thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed. For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me, and I say unto this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another,
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II. CHRIST IS COME. A CHRISTMAS SERMON.
II. CHRIST IS COME. A CHRISTMAS SERMON.
“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever.”— Isaiah ix. 6, 7. It is now more than three thousand years ago that God ma
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III. IS, OR IS NOT, THE BIBLE TRUE?
III. IS, OR IS NOT, THE BIBLE TRUE?
“If I say the truth, why do ye not believe Me?”— John viii. 46. Is, or is not, the Bible true? To this question we must all come some day or other. Do you believe that that book which lies there, which we call the Bible, is a true book, or a lying book? Is it true or false? Is it right or wrong? Is it from God, or is it not from God? Let us answer that. If it is not from God, let it go; but if it is from God, which we know it is, how dare we disobey it? That God , the maker of heaven and
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IV. THE TREE OF KNOWLEDGE AND THE TREE OF LIFE; OR, THE FALL.
IV. THE TREE OF KNOWLEDGE AND THE TREE OF LIFE; OR, THE FALL.
“Now the serpent was more subtile than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die. For God doth kn
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V. I AM.
V. I AM.
“I AM hath sent me into you.”— Exodus iii. 10. Every day I find it more and more true, that the Bible is full of good news from beginning to end. The Gospel —that is good news—and the best of all good news, is to be found in every book of it; perhaps if we knew how to search the Scriptures, in every chapter and verse of it, from beginning to end. For from beginning to end, from Genesis to Malachi—from the Gospel of St. Matthew to the end of the Revelation—what our Lord said of the Bible stands
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VI. THE ENGLISHMAN TRAINED BY TOIL.
VI. THE ENGLISHMAN TRAINED BY TOIL.
“All the commandments which I command thee this day shall ye observe to do, that ye may live, and multiply, and go in and possess the land which the Lord sware unto your fathers. And thou shalt remember all the way which the Lord thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no. And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest
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VII. HIGHER OR LOWER: WHICH SHALL WIN?
VII. HIGHER OR LOWER: WHICH SHALL WIN?
“Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. For as many as are led by the spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.”— Romans viii. 12-15. Let us try to understand these words. They are of quite infin
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VIII. ST. PETER; OR, TRUE COURAGE.
VIII. ST. PETER; OR, TRUE COURAGE.
“Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus. And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye.”— Acts iv. 13, 18, 19. I think that the quality, the grace of God, which St. Pe
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IX. THE STORY OF JOSEPH.
IX. THE STORY OF JOSEPH.
“I fear God.” Genesis xlii. 18. Did it ever seem remarkable to you, as it has seemed to me, how many chapters of the Bible are taken up with the history of Joseph—a young man who, on the most memorable occasion in his life, said “I fear God,” and had no other argument to use? Thirteen chapters of the book of Genesis are mainly devoted to the tale of this one young man. Doubtless his father Jacob’s going down into Egypt, was one of the most important events in the history of the Jews: we might
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X. SLAVES OF FREE?
X. SLAVES OF FREE?
“Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will show to you to-day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever. The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.”— Exodus xiv. 13, 14. Why did God bring the Jews out of Egypt? God Himself told them why. To fulfil the promise which He made to Abraham, their forefather, that of his children He would make a great nation. Now the Jews in Egypt were not a nation at all.
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XI. DANGERS—AND THE LITANY.
XI. DANGERS—AND THE LITANY.
“Then they cried unto the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them out of their distresses. And he led them forth by the right way, that they might go to a city of habitation. Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men.”— Psalm cvii. 6-8. This 107th Psalm is a noble psalm—a psalm which has given comfort to thousands in suffering and in danger, even in the sorrows which they have brought on themselves by their own folly. For it te
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XII. WILD TIMES, OR DAVID’S FAITH IN A LIVING GOD.
XII. WILD TIMES, OR DAVID’S FAITH IN A LIVING GOD.
“David therefore departed thence, and escaped to the cave Adullam: and when his brethren and all his father’s house heard it, they went down thither to him. And every one that was in distress, and every one that was in debt, and every one that was discontented, gathered themselves unto him; and he became a captain over them: and there were with him about four hundred men.”—1 Sam. xxii. 1, 2. In every country, at some time or other, there have been evil days—days of violence, tyranny, misrule, w
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XIII. DAVID AND NABAL, OR SELF-CONTROL.
XIII. DAVID AND NABAL, OR SELF-CONTROL.
“And David said to Abigail, Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, which sent thee this day to meet me: And blessed be thy advice, and blessed be thou, which hast kept me this day from coming to shed blood, and from avenging myself with mine own hand.”—1 Samuel xxv. 32, 33. The story of David and Nabal needs no explanation. It tells us of part of David’s education—of a great lesson which he learnt—of a great lesson which we may learn. It is told with a dignity and a simplicity, with a grace and li
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XIV. DAVID’S LOYALTY; OR, TEMPTATION RESISTED.
XIV. DAVID’S LOYALTY; OR, TEMPTATION RESISTED.
“So David and Abishai came to the people by night: and, behold, Saul lay sleeping within the trench, and his spear stuck in the ground at his bolster; but Abner and the people lay round about him. Then said Abishai to David, God hath delivered thine enemy into thine hand this day: now therefore let me smite him, I pray thee, with the spear even to the earth at once, and I will not smite him the second time. And David said to Abishai, Destroy him not: for who can stretch forth his hand against
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XV. DAVID’S DEATH SONG.
XV. DAVID’S DEATH SONG.
“And David spake unto the Lord the words of this song in the day that the Lord had delivered him out of the hand of all his enemies, and out of the hand of Saul: And he said, The Lord is my rock, and my fortress and my deliverer; the God of my rock; in him will I trust: he is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my saviour; thou savest me from violence.”—2 Sam. xxii. 1-3. This is the death song of David; the last words of the great man—warrior, statesman, king,
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XVI. AHAB AND MICAIAH—THE CHRISTIAN DEAD ALIVE FOE EVERMORE.
XVI. AHAB AND MICAIAH—THE CHRISTIAN DEAD ALIVE FOE EVERMORE.
“And the King of Israel said to Jehosaphat, There is yet one man, Micaiah the son of Imlah, by whom we may enquire of the Lord: but I hate him; for he doth not prophesy good concerning me, but evil.” . . .—1 Kings xxii. 8. If you read the story of Micaiah the Prophet, and King Ahab in the 22d chapter of the 1st Book of Kings, you will, I think, agree that Ahab showed himself as foolish as he was wicked. He hated Micaiah for telling him the truth. And when he heard the truth and was warned of h
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XVII. WHAT IS CHANCE?
XVII. WHAT IS CHANCE?
“By one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, because all have sinned.”— Romans v. 12. All death is a solemn and fearful thing. When it comes to an old person, one cannot help feeling it often a release, and saying, “He has done his work—he has sorrowed out his sorrows, he has struggled his last struggle, and wept his last tear: let him go to his rest and be peaceful at last.” But when death comes suddenly to people in the prime of life, who but yes
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XVIII. EARTHLY AND HEAVENLY WISDOM; OR, STOOP TO CONQUER.
XVIII. EARTHLY AND HEAVENLY WISDOM; OR, STOOP TO CONQUER.
“The Lord by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens.”— Prov. iii. 19. Did it ever strike you as a very remarkable and important thing, that after saying in Proverbs iii. that Wisdom is this precious treasure, and bidding his son seek for her because (verse 16) “Length of days is in her right hand, and in her left hand riches and honour: Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace,”—Solomon goes on immediately to say (verses 19, 20), “Th
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XIX. IT IS GOOD FOR THE YOUNG TO REJOICE.
XIX. IT IS GOOD FOR THE YOUNG TO REJOICE.
“Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment.”— Ecclesiastes xi. 9. Some people fancy that in this text God forbids young people to enjoy themselves. They think that the words are spoken ironically, and with a sneer, as if to say, “Yes. Enjoy yourself if you will. Go your own way if you wish. Make a fool
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XX. GOD’S BEAUTIFUL WORLD.—A SPRING SERMON.
XX. GOD’S BEAUTIFUL WORLD.—A SPRING SERMON.
“Bless the Lord, O my soul. O Lord my God, thou art very great: thou art clothed with honour and majesty. Who coverest thyself with light as with a garment: who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain: who layeth the beams of his chambers in the waters: who maketh the clouds his chariot: who walketh upon the wings of the wind.”—Ps. civ. 1-3. At this delicious season of the year, when spring time is fast ripening into summer, and every hedge, and field, and garden is full of life and growth,
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XXI. WONDERS OF THE SEA; OR DAILY MIRACLES.
XXI. WONDERS OF THE SEA; OR DAILY MIRACLES.
“Thou coverest the earth with the deep sea as with a garment.”— Psalm civ. 6. When we look at a map of the world, one of the first things that strikes us as curious is, how little dry land there is, and how much sea. More than half the world covered with deep, wild, raging, waste salt water! It seems very strange. Of what use to man can all that sea be? And yet the Scripture says that the whole earth has God given to the children of men. And therefore He has given to us the sea which is par
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XXII. THE SAILOR’S GOD. PREACHED TO SAILORS AT A LITTLE FISHING VILLAGE IN CORNWALL, 1843.
XXII. THE SAILOR’S GOD. PREACHED TO SAILORS AT A LITTLE FISHING VILLAGE IN CORNWALL, 1843.
“They that go down to the sea in ships, and occupy their business in great waters; these men see the works of the Lord, and his wonders in the deep.”—Ps. cvii. 23, 24. My brothers—for though I do not know most of you even by name, yet you are still my brothers, for His sake in whose name you were baptized—my brothers, it has been often said that seamen and fishermen ought to be the most religious men in the country. And why? Because they, more than any set of men, see the works of the Lord, an
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XXIII. THE GOOD SOLDIER OF JESUS CHRIST.
XXIII. THE GOOD SOLDIER OF JESUS CHRIST.
“Thou therefore endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.”—2 Timothy ii. 3. Suppose a young man went of his own will for a soldier; was regularly sworn in to serve the Queen; took his bounty; wore the Queen’s uniform; ate her bread; learnt his drill; and all that a soldier need learn, as long as peace lasted. But suppose that, as soon as war came, and his regiment was ordered on active service, he deserted at once, and went off and hid himself. What should you call such a man? You wo
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A PRAYER.
A PRAYER.
“O God and Saviour, Thou hast blest me, and I have cursed myself. Thou didst die to deliver me from the curse of sin, and I have brought it back on myself by my own folly. Thou livest for ever to make me good , and I, ungrateful and foolish, have made myself bad . In spite of my ingratitude, in spite of my folly, take me back into Thy service. I trust utterly in Thy unchangeable goodness and mercy. I trust that Thy blood will still wash away the past, that Thy spirit will still give me a cl
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I. BRAVE WORDS FOR BRAVE SOLDIERS AND SAILORS. [199]
I. BRAVE WORDS FOR BRAVE SOLDIERS AND SAILORS. [199]
My friends,—I speak to you simply as brave men. I speak alike to Roman Catholic and Protestant. I speak alike to godly men and ungodly. I speak alike to soldiers and sailors. . . . If you are brave , read these words. I call these brave words. They are not my own words, or my own message, but the message to you of the bravest man who ever lived, or who ever will live, and if you will read them and think over them, He will not make you brave (for that, thank God, you are already), but keep y
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II. THE STORY OF CORTEZ; OR PLUCK IN THE SIXTEENTH CENTURY. A LECTURE DELIVERED AT ALDERSHOT CAMP, NOV. 1858.
II. THE STORY OF CORTEZ; OR PLUCK IN THE SIXTEENTH CENTURY. A LECTURE DELIVERED AT ALDERSHOT CAMP, NOV. 1858.
It seemed to me that, having to speak to-night to soldiers, that I ought to speak about soldiers. Some story, I thought, about your own profession would please you most and teach you most. Some story, I say, for it is not my business to tell you what soldiers ought to be like. That, I daresay, you know a great deal better than I; and I only hope I may do my duty as a parson half as well as British soldiers do their duty, and will always do it. So I thought of telling you to-night some sort of
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III. PICTURE GALLERIES.
III. PICTURE GALLERIES.
Picture-galleries should be the working-man’s paradise, [230] a garden of pleasure, to which he goes to refresh his eyes and heart with beautiful shapes and sweet colouring, when they are wearied with dull bricks and mortar, and the ugly colourless things which fill the town, the workshop and the factory. For, believe me, there is many a road into our hearts besides our ears and brains; many a sight, and sound, and scent, even, of which we have never thought at all, sinks into our memory, and h
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IV. A PORTRAIT IN THE NATIONAL GALLERY.
IV. A PORTRAIT IN THE NATIONAL GALLERY.
“Any one who goes to the National Gallery in Trafalgar Square, may see two large and beautiful pictures—the nearer of the two labelled ‘Titian,’ representing Bacchus leaping from a car drawn by leopards. The other, labelled ‘Francia,’ representing the Holy Family seated on a sort of throne, with several figures arranged below—one of them a man pierced with arrows. Between these two, low down, hangs a small picture, about two feet square, containing only the portrait of an old man, in a white c
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V. THE BRITISH MUSEUM.
V. THE BRITISH MUSEUM.
Nature is infinitely more wonderful than the highest art; and in the commonest hedgeside leaf lies a mystery and beauty greater than that of the greatest picture, the noblest statue—as infinitely greater as God’s work is infinitely greater than man’s. But to those who have no leisure to study nature in the green fields (and there are now-a-days too many such, though the time may come when all will have that blessing), to such I say, go to the British Museum, Bloomsbury Square; there at least, i
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