1. They had an _experience_. They _knew God_.
2. This experience, this acquaintance with God, was
_maintained_ and deepened and broadened in obedience to
God's teaching, or truth, or doctrine.
3. They patiently yet urgently _taught others_ what they
themselves had learned, and declared, so far as they saw it, the
whole counsel of God.
They were abreast of the deepest experiences and fullest
revelations God had yet made to men. They were leaders, not
laggards. They were not in the rear of the procession of God's
warriors and saints; they were in the forefront.
Here we discover the importance of the doctrine and experience of
holiness through the baptism of the Holy Spirit to Salvation Army
leaders. We are to know God and glorify Him and reveal Him to
men. We are to finish the work of Jesus, and "fill up that which
is behind of the sufferings of Christ" (Col. i. 24). We are to
rescue the slaves of sin, to make a people, to fashion them into
a holy nation, and inspire and lead them forth to save the world.
How can we do this? Only by being in the forefront of God's
spiritual hosts; not in name and in titles only, but in reality;
by being in glad possession of the deepest experiences God gives,
and the fullest revelations He makes to men.
The astonishing military and naval successes of the Japanese are
said to be due to their profound study, clear understanding, and
firm grasp of the theory, the principles, the doctrines of war;
their careful and minute preparation of every detail of their
campaigns; the scientific accuracy and precision with which they
carry out all their plans, and their splendid and utter personal
devotion to their cause.
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