Bright Arrows (15 page)

The music was very fine but with no emphasis on its brilliancy. The solos made the words a sermon, and the prayer was tender and moving. Then the speaker was introduced, and from the first word Eden was thrilled.

"They tell us the war is over!" he said gravely. "But we are still in a war with sin. We have been in high spirits, getting ready to lay down our implements of warfare, and beat our 'swords into plowshares,' and our 'spears into pruninghooks,' getting rid of rationing, buying all the beefsteak and gas we want, and having a good time. We go to church on Sunday and sit back contented in what we choose to believe is an atmosphere of peace, and we like to try and think that there will never be a war again.

"But the Christian Church is in a warfare today, only our warfare is in the spirit realm, not in the natural. Not against flesh and blood. The Christian has been delivered from the natural realm, delivered from self: good self, bad self, religious self, and all the other kinds of self. He has been brought into another sphere, and it is in that sphere he must live and wage his warfare. We must combine our forces against the prince of the power of the air. And one of the first things we need to realize is that we cannot make a single move without orders from on high.

"We are fighting one of the battles in the great war against the enemy, and we are a spectacle not only for the world to see but also for the angels. They are watching us there on the ramparts of heaven, and Christian warfare, in order to be effective, must be fought from a heavenly standpoint and not from the earthly or carnal standpoint. That being the case, we cannot use carnal weapons and devices, such as human organizations and businesslike schemes the world would use. If we do, we're neglecting the spiritual and losing the power that is of God. There must be spiritual warfare on spiritual ground with spiritual weapons, or else we are defeated at the start.

"We are here as a church to take the prey out of the hands of the evil one, that sinners may be saved, saints built up, and a people prepared for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in glory and power.

"The very moment Christians get to warring with one another the Church is divided, and we are defeated. The very moment Christians get into a state of judging or criticizing one another with bitterness and unforgiveness toward one another, they are not only defeated in their own lives, but other people are defeated by their influence, and the devil is well pleased. He knows very well that if he can get the Church of God to warring with one another they will not war against him. That is why so many prayers by Christians who are judging and criticizing one another are not answered, and why so many lose the sweet experiences God wants them to have.

"God wants you to go after sinners, to be loving and patient with saints, and if you are sharp and censorious, you will only drive them away from God instead of winning them. God wants you to show by your life that He has done something in your life, and He has saved you and separated you unto Himself, and given you His own life and His own patience and grace. There are worldly Christians who have no power in their lives. But when you walk with God and His Holy Spirit has His way with you every step of the way, then He will give you power and answer your prayers. Before you go out to battle, get down upon your knees and ask God to show you yourselves. Then examine your weapons. Be sure they are not carnal weapons.

"Long ago when Babylon had sinned and the Lord was going to destroy it, He raised up the spirit of the Medes to destroy it for Him, and He told them to get ready their weapons, to be sure there was no rust upon them, to sharpen them to work effectually: 'Make bright the arrows; gather the shields,' He said, 'because it is the vengeance of the Lord, the vengeance of His temple.'

"And today when God calls His saved ones to battle against Satan and his wicked spirits, He tells us to 'Put on the whole armour of God.' But today it is not material weapons we have to sharpen and make bright and ready, but the spiritual armor. Among those are mentioned 'the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.' And above all, prayer. Then go forth and prove that spiritual weapons are mighty to the pulling down of strongholds. And remember that not only men and devils are watching you, but angels are watching also and rejoicing over your victories."

When the service was out, Eden was introduced to a number of the young people, and she promised to come to some of their other meetings. Her eyes were shining with new pleasure as they finally said good night and started away.

They stopped on the way for ice cream in a quiet little place where there was opportunity to talk. "Well, how did you like the speaker?" asked the young man, watching Eden earnestly.

"Oh, so much!" she said. "It seemed as if he had been listening to some of my thoughts and worries and knew just how to answer them. He really told me how to get ready for something I very much dread, and now I'll go home and make my arrows bright for what is ahead tomorrow night."

"Oh," said Lorrimer, thinking what a quick young mind and what a willing heart this was, "are you having a battle tomorrow night?"

"I'm afraid so," sighed Eden. "Oh, it's nothing, I suppose, but it rather frightens me to think that I may not say the right thing. He said the sword of the Spirit was the Word of God, and I'm afraid I don't know the Word as well as I should to use it as a weapon."

"I see," said the young man appreciatively. "Of course, that is the advantage of the Spirit-guided study of the Bible. But if you are Spirit led, He will show you what to say."

"But, I am such a new sort of Christian, do you think I could be guided definitely?"

"You certainly can, definitely," said the young man earnestly. "You have given yourself into His keeping. You can trust Him utterly. I know, for I have tried it. You tried it, too, just the other day. If you can trust Him with little trifles, can you not trust Him with the great things of life? If you cannot, then He is not a Savior. He has promised if you died with Him, you can have that resurrection life that He brought you when He rose from the dead."

Eden looked up into his eyes, and a great joy came into her face.

"Oh," she said. "Yes, I can trust Him. Thank you."

They went out to the car then and did not talk any more about it till he took her home. Then just as he said good night he added in a low tone: "And I'll be praying for you."

She felt suddenly happy then. Her prayers might be crude and very new before the great God, even if He did love her, but his prayers would reach the throne. He was used to praying for things and getting them.

Janet came hurrying from the telephone to meet her.

"It was that little r-r-rat on the wire," she said, "him as was here before. He wanted tae ken, was ya hame yet, an' whan did I expect ye. I said I dinna ken yer business, an' he said, 'Tell her I'll be there bright an' early t'morra night.' "

"Yes," sighed Eden uncertainly, "he's coming again, Janet. I had to say yes. He said he wanted to apologize. But you needn't worry. I'm not going anywhere with him."

"He's nae fit ye tae wipe yer pretty feet on," said Janet fiercely.

"That's all right, Janet. I didn't like his actions any better than you did. But I have to be courteous even if he wasn't. I have to accept his apology. But there I stop."

"Boot he'll try his verra best tae get in wi' ye agin, an' be the same ol' frind. He has a way wi' him. He'll make ye feel he's better than he is. He'll tell ye it's yer dooty tae be his frind."

"No, Janet, he'll not do that. Not this time. I think I've learned my lesson. I know what he is. I must see him tomorrow night, but after that he's just a boy I used to know when we were children. That's all!"

Janet looked after her sorrowfully as she started up the stairs, and she brushed a glittering tear away from her eyes as Eden threw her a lovely smile.

"Weel, I'm sure I hoop yer richt!" she said with a doubtful sigh and turned away quickly to hide her emotions.

 

Caspar Carvel lunged in, in much the same way he had always done in the years gone by, much as if the house were his own old home and he had a right there. As if there were nothing special due for the privilege of coming. One would never have known from the quality of his regular old-time grin that he had come to apologize for anything. And Eden, whose quick eyes had noted this at once, felt her former anger rising, because she could not seem to forget the insolent words he had spoken. But she had spent time on her knees with her Bible open before her and had definitely put the matter in her new Master's hands. She felt assured that He would make it plain how she was to deal with this.

"Hi there, beautiful!" he began. "At last my perseverance is rewarded by your worthy presence! You certainly have taken on an air of discipline and distance. What's the little old idea, anyway, lovely?"

Eden did not respond to this garrulous opening of the interview. Instead, she went quietly, sweetly about the duties of a hostess, utterly ignoring his question.

"Good evening!" she said coolly as if it were a stranger she was greeting. "Won't you sit down?" She motioned toward a straight chair and went herself toward another at a little distance.

Caspar stood surveying her, a mask of puzzlement on his brow. So, she really must have been angry at what he had said on his last visit. But he slid down on the chair she had indicated and turned to her a puzzled, grieved expression as if he did not understand.

"But what's the little old idea, Eden," he complained. "Why the frigidity?"

"I beg your pardon, Caspar. I understood you came here to make an apology for your remarks the last time you were here."

"Oh, that! Why, baby! You're not mad yet, are you? You knew I didn't mean what I said."

"It certainly sounded as if you meant it," said Eden quietly, with sweet dignity.

"Aw, now, baby! Don't get that way! You ought to know me better than that. You know I'm awfully fond of you. I wouldn't hurt you for the world. I just took it for granted that you had grown up to the times and would understand. Why, excuse me, baby, but you don't seem to have changed at all. I suppose your father's sickness has kept you cooped up away from the world. You don't seem to know times have changed."

"I certainly realize that
you
have changed," said Eden, still speaking quietly and with gentle dignity.

"But, there, Eden," said the young man, "wake up and be yourself. You certainly can't think you're being attractive carrying on a line like that."
"I was not trying to be attractive," she said, "but I am wondering if this is your idea of an apology?"

The young man put on another act of hurt dignity.

"Apology? Oh! Why, yes, sure I said I would apologize if that is what you want. I sure want to make it right between us old friends, and come here the way I used to do. I shall be mustering out pretty soon, and I want to get things on a friendly plane again. Sure!" And he suddenly sprang to his feet and putting his hand on his stomach made a low abject bow. "So, I most humbly apologize."
Eden watched him a moment as he slowly raised his head and gave her an assured smile as if he felt he had done a good job of apology. Then she said gravely: "Sit down, Caspar, and listen to me. You haven't made an apology at all. You don't even think you have done anything to apologize for. You are not sorry for what you said, you know you are not. And as for things being on the friendly plane, I am quite sure that can never be."

"But what did I do? Tell me, kiddo! I really don't understand."

But Eden looked steadily at him.

"Yes, you understand, Caspar. You spoke of my father in an outrageous way, and you spoke of my God in a terrible way."

"Oh, well, kid, I supposed, of course, you'd understand I wasn't saying anything dreadful about your father. He was just an old man, rather behind the times of course, but nothing to his discredit. You see, I didn't really intend any discourtesy to him. And as for the other matter, Eden, you don't really mean to tell me you still believe in all that sentiment about God. Why, simply
no
body believes that anymore."

"I do!" said Eden firmly. "And I resent any word said against my God and my Christ. You see, I
know
Him. He is not only my Savior, but He is my Friend and Guide. And it is to Him you will have to apologize if you want to be my friend."

"Great day!" said the affected youth. "Is it that bad with you? Why, you're crazy, Eden."

"You're worse than crazy, Caspar. I'm very much afraid you are lost. The Bible says: 'For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.' "

The young man stared.

"Who put you up to saying a thing like that?" he asked with a sneer. "That's terrific!"

"Nobody put me up to saying anything. I asked God to show me what to say to you, and this is the verse He directed my attention to. Of course, I had read it before, but I felt you ought to know it was there and that God understands all about you."

Caspar stared again, and then with an impatient gesture he said testily: "I didn't know you were also superstitious as well as behind the times, but don't let's talk any more about this. We'll never agree; I can see that. Perhaps when you have lived a little longer and been out in the real world awhile you'll change your ideas. However, I can stand it, if you'll just keep it to yourself. You'll get over this fad, of course, and I'll do my best to help you. Let's change the subject. How would you like me to tell you about some of my thrilling experiences? As a rule I don't care to talk them over with these newsmongers that come around us vets, but you are different. You've known me all my life, and you'll understand."

Eden sat looking at him gravely.

"Very well," she said. "Go on."

Almost sullenly, but very pompously he began his story.

It was a thrilling story, there was no mistake about that, and he told it well, except that he did not omit to mention his own courageous part in glowing terms, so glowing that Eden found herself constantly wondering if he were telling the whole truth and whether some of the great acts of prowess and courage should not be ascribed to the credit of some of the others of his regiment; but she put the thought aside and listened, watching her old friend and studying his handsome, weak face, noting for the first time the arrogance of his chin, the shiftiness of his glance. Did his eyes always look so sort of sly, his mouth have that crafty twist, even when he smiled, or had he acquired that during his absence in service?