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men of rank and wealth took part in them and shrank from no effort or
discipline necessary to obtain the prize。
The contests were governed by strict regulations； from which there was no
appeal。 Those who desired their names entered as competitors for the prize
had first to undergo a severe preparatory training。 Harmful indulgence of
appetite； or any other gratification that would lower mental or physical
vigor； was strictly forbidden。 For one to have any hope
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of success in these trials of strength and speed； the muscles must be strong
and supple； and the nerves well under control。 Every movement must be
certain； every step swift and unswerving； the physical powers must reach the
highest mark。
As the contestants in the race made their appearance before the waiting
multitude； their names were heralded； and the rules of the race were
distinctly stated。 Then they all started together； the fixed attention of
the spectators inspiring them with a determination to win。 The judges were
seated near the goal； that they might watch the race from its beginning to
its close and give the prize to the true victor。 If a man reached the goal
first by taking an unlawful advantage； he was not awarded the prize。
In these contests great risks were run。 Some never recovered from the
terrible physical strain。 It was not unusual for men to fall on the course；
bleeding at the mouth and nose； and sometimes a contestant would drop dead
when about to seize the prize。 But the possibility of lifelong injury or of
death was not looked upon as too great a risk to run for the sake of the
honor awarded the successful contestant。
As the winner reached the goal； the applause of the vast multitude of
onlookers rent the air and awoke the echoes of the surrounding hills and
mountains。 In full view of the spectators； the judge presented him with the
emblems of victorya laurel crown and a palm branch to carry in his right
hand。 His praise was sung throughout the land； his parents received their
share of honor； and even the city
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in which he lived was held in high esteem for having produced so great an
athlete。
In referring to these races as a figure of the Christian warfare； Paul
emphasized the preparation necessary to the success of the contestants in
the racethe preliminary discipline； the abstemious diet； the necessity for
temperance。 〃Every man that striveth for the mastery；〃 he declared； 〃is
temperate in all things。〃 The runners put aside every indulgence that would
tend to weaken the physical powers； and by severe and continuous discipline
trained their muscles to strength and endurance； that when the day of the
contest should arrive； they might put the heaviest tax upon their powers。
How much more important that the Christian； whose eternal interests are at
stake； bring appetite and passion under subjection to reason and the will of
God！ Never must he allow his attention to be diverted by amusements；
luxuries； or ease。 All his habits and passions must be brought under the
strictest discipline。 Reason； enlightened by the teachings of God's word and
guided by His Spirit； must hold the reins of control。
And after this has been done； the Christian must put forth the utmost
exertion in order to gain the victory。 In the Corinthian games the last few
strides of the contestants in the race were made with agonizing effort to
keep up undiminished speed。 So the Christian； as he nears the goal； will
press onward with even more zeal and determination than at the first of his
course。
Paul presents the contrast between the chaplet of fading laurel received by
the victor in the foot races； and the crown
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of immortal glory that will be given to him who runs with triumph the
Christian race。 〃They do it；〃 he declares； 〃to obtain a corruptible crown；
but we an incorruptible。〃 To win a perishable prize； the Grecian runners
spared themselves no toil or discipline。 We are striving for a prize
infinitely more valuable； even the crown of everlasting life。 How much more
careful should be our striving； how much more willing our sacrifice and
self…denial！
In the epistle to the Hebrews is pointed out the single…hearted purpose that
should characterize the Christian's race for eternal life： 〃Let us lay aside
every weight； and the sin which doth so easily beset us； and let us run with
patience the race that is set before us； looking unto Jesus the author and
finisher of our faith。〃 Hebrews 12：1； 2。 Envy； malice； evil thinking；
evilspeaking； covetousnessthese are weights that the Christian must lay
aside if he would run successfully the race for immortality。 Every habit or
practice that leads into sin and brings dishonor upon Christ must be put
away； whatever the sacrifice。 The blessing of heaven cannot attend any man
in violating the eternal principles of right。 One sin cherished is
sufficient to work degradation of character and to mislead others。
〃If thy hand cause thee to stumble；〃 the Saviour said； 〃Cut it off： it is
good for thee to enter into life maimed； rather than having thy two hands to
go into hell； into the unquenchable fire。 And if thy foot cause thee to
stumble； cut it off： it is good for thee to enter into life halt； rather
than having thy two feet to be cast into hell。〃 Mark 9：43…45；
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R。V。 If to save the body from death； the foot or the hand should be cut off；
or even the eye plucked out； how much more earnest should the Christian be
to put away sin； which brings death to the soul！
The competitors in the ancient games； after they had submitted to
self…denial and rigid discipline； were not even then sure of the victory。
〃Know ye not；〃 Paul asked； 〃that they which run in a race run all； but one
receiveth the prize？〃 However eagerly and earnestly the runners might
strive； the prize could be awarded to but one。 One hand only could grasp the
coveted garland。 Some might put forth the utmost effort to obtain the prize；
but as they reached forth the hand to secure it； another； an instant before
them； might grasp the coveted treasure。
Such is not the case in the Christian warfare。 Not one who complies with the
conditions will be disappointed at the end of the race。 Not one who is
earnest and persevering will fail of success。 The race is not to the swift；
nor the battle to the strong。 The weakest saint； as well as the strongest；
may wear the crown of immortal glory。 All may win who； through the power of
divine grace； bring their lives into conformity to the will of Christ。 The
practice； in the details of life； of the principles laid down in God's word；
is too often looked upon as unimportanta matter too trivial to demand
attention。 But in view of the issue at stake； nothing is small that will
help or hinder。 Every act casts its weight into the scale that determines
life's victory or defeat。 And the reward given to those who win
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will be in proportion to the energy and earnestness with which they have
striven。
The apostle compared himself to a man running in a race； straining every
nerve t