Get Out of Dodge

“In contending with certain sins there remains no mode of victory but by flight.” – C.H. Spurgeon

Fort Dodge, Kansas was erected in 1865 and within a few years, a town grew up in close proximity to the army outpost. It soon became known as the most evil and dangerous city in the West. One Kansas newspaper described Dodge City as “as synonym for all that is wild, reckless, and violent; Hell on the Plains.” The Evening Star, a Washington D.C. newspaper, wrote that “Dodge City is a wicked little town” that deserved God’s special judgment. And the Hays City Sentinel published a scathing account of Dodge City, calling it “the Deadwood of Kansas” that attracted “all the unemployed scallawagism in seven states.”

Reportedly, the city’s two main businesses were saloons and brothels. In fact, Dodge City gave birth to the terms “red light district,” “Boot Hill,” and “they died with their boots on.” Gunfights were so common that the mayor hired Wyatt Earp to bring law and order to Dodge for the unheard of salary of $250/month. In turn, Earp deputized his brother Morgan, Bat Masterson, and a few other men, forming the Dodge City Peace Commission. He also befriended Doc Holliday.

Despite Earp’s best efforts, Dodge City remained a dangerous place to live. So much so, that many law-abiding people decided to “get out of Dodge” while they could.

That, my friend, is the point that Charles Spurgeon is trying to make in today’s quote. Sometimes, God wants us to stay and fight; and other times He calls us to run for cover. Here, in his own words, is how the “Prince of Preachers” explained it…

He who would be safe from acts of evil must hurry away from occasions of it. A covenant must be made with our eyes not even to look upon the cause of temptation, for such sins only need a spark to begin with and a blaze follows in an instant.

The wings of a dove may be of more use to me today than the jaws of a lion. It is true I may be an apparent loser by declining evil company, but I had better leave my cloak than lose my character; it is not needful that I should be rich, but it is imperative for me to be pure. No ties of friendship, no chains of beauty, no flashings of talent, no shafts of ridicule must turn me from the wise resolve to flee from sin.

I am to resist the devil, and he will flee from me; but the lusts of the flesh I must flee, or they will surely overcome me… May the horrible trinity of the world, the flesh, and the devil never overcome us!

“Depart from evil, and do good; and dwell forevermore.” Psalm 37:27 (NKJV)

- Rev. Dale M. Glading, President