A greater bravery, a nobler courage
The following sermon was written By Rev. James S. Griffing sometime after the
fall of Atlanta in 1864:
There is a great disposition among mankind to laud the military hero. The
individual who returns after month's of devotion to his country after successful
victories in many well tried battlefields is greeted with the greatest warmth by
his fellows who seem to take great delight to do him homage. This is as it
should be-- especially during our present National difficulties where every
conflict is watched with such a great degree of interest. With what enthusiasm
was the Gen. Commanding at Vicksburg who after so long and arduous a siege
succeeded at last in capturing the city. Congratulations were sent him from
every direction and even our chief executive, in behalf of a grateful Nation
gave expression of thanks. Similar tokens of regard were given for the hero at
New Orleans and very recently for the one who was so greatly successful at
Atlanta. Much as these individuals were praised for their strategy and courage,
out text informs us that there is a greater bravery that that which is based on
merely military distinction. There is a nobler courage than that which
encounters physical danger. There is a grander warfare than that of arms. He
that ruleth his own spirit &c.
This self conquest implies that there is a ruling power in man by which it
is intended that he should govern himself. viz. reason. conscience. It also
implies that the spirit of man is in a state of anarchy of rebellion against all
that is good, that is elevating, that is heavenly. That there is a law in the
members warring against the law of the mind. That personal religion is self
subjugation. By the influence of grace bestowed through Jesus Christ, man is
induced to govern himself. His passions become subdued. The revolt in his nature
quelled, and harmony and order restored. The passions which once governed with
an iron sway now obey reason which was once a slave, now usurps her authority.
The man becomes a conqueror.
The conquest of the heart is greater than that of a city because the enemy
is more powerful. To rule the spirit is to overcome the strongest impulses of
our nature. Impulses which were intended to be servants, but have usurped the
position of master.
These are ambition, avarice, pride, love of distinction, the need for
power & fame, the desire for sensual indulgence, the spirit of rivalry and
retaliation. These have usurped the throne of dominion in man's nature. They
have ruled the intellect, the conscience, and the life. What has not ambition,
unconquerable ambition urged individuals to do? How have individuals scrambled
up to thrones and sat in garments dripping wet with gore and wrote their names
on lands and cities desolate. How has it led wade through seas of human blood,
not struggling to rescue from the foot of the appeals of their suffering country
men, but merely to gratify relentless ambition and avarice or burning thirst for
gold, or sensual indulgence. The appetite take any habit. For instance, chewing
tobacco, and how soon do those addicted to its use become the vilest slaves?
Some wear off their front teeth in its use. Reason may condemn them but what of
that? When you attempt to arraign an individual before the law of conscience.
The conquest of the spirit is greater than the taking of a city because
the conflict is more difficult. The city may be taken by force, not so the
heart. No array of force can coerce man's will.
The conquest of the heart is greater that that of a city because the
victory is more noble.
