After the Revolution Boston formed militia companies. One, called the Hussars, allowed only the financially and socially prominent to belong—with good reason: equine equipment itself cost $800. The captain sat his white charger as he drilled the men. The Sea Fencibles paraded armed with cutlasses and pikes. Others called themselves New England Guards and Independent Cadets.
Often called to non-existent crises, they went with aplomb. Once, called from a dancing class, a member had to march in dancing pumps. When not marching, they attended “military academies,” one of which specialized in “Cane Fighting,” since it was the weapon of choice when Federalists and Republicans attacked each other. They even marched during the War of 1812, not to fight, but to enjoy the bountiful feast afterwards. The Regulars naturally held them all in contempt. While the militia paraded for show, the Regulars did the necessary fighting. Bullfinch’s Boston, 236-238 When Jesus sent the Twelve, and later the Seventy, to represent him in Israel, see Matthew 10:1 and Luke 10:1ff, he considered them regular infantrymen armed with spiritual weapons to confront, engage and WHIP satanic forces. They went to SHOW his presence by OVERCOMING Satan. It isn’t hard for Christians to make a good SHOW on Sundays. In fact, in copying the entertainment world, we excel. The fact is, however, we SERVE when scattered as we WORSHIP when gathered. Bold and sure as we feel when among Christians, Jesus demands we act as bold and sure among the unsaved. You may read his scorching indictment of leadership hypocrisy in Matthew 23. It isn’t hypocrisy he attacks in Christians, but our reluctance to BE during the week what we SEEM in worship. For Jesus equips us to WORK as well as SHOW! To have substance equal to our appearance. Check out Virg Hurley books -- and new Integrity book, Vol. 2 Part 3 at Amazon.com.
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