Article March 15, 1900 Issue

"Put on the Whole Armor."

Selected

In Holman Hunt's great picture, "The Shadow of Death," which represents Jesus as a young man in the carpenter's shop stretching himself at the close of a weary day, and with his outspread arms making the shadow of a cross on the wall, there is a minor feature that is full of suggestion. On a shelf is a collection of books in the form of rolls, such as were in use in those days. They represent the library Jesus used—the books of the Holy Scriptures. They are there in the shop where he worked, suggesting that in his leisure moments he turned to them to ponder their great truths and store away their principles in his memory and in his heart. No doubt the picture truly represents the daily habit of his life in those quiet years when he was preparing for his great public work. Thus it was that when the tempter came, there was no need for feverish haste in preparing for defence. The weapons were ready, and the victory was easy.

From this example of Jesus we should learn to prepare in advance for temptation by filling our hearts in the days of youth and early life with the truths of God's word. The soldier cannot learn the art of war when the battle is upon him; if he is not already trained he can only suffer defeat. When the tempter has come, there will be no time to search texts with which to ward off his blows; but if we have sacred words treasured in our hearts, it will be easy to draw them forth, as arrows from a quiver, for use at any moment of danger.—Selected.

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