Shiloh - one of the crucial battles of the Civil War, a young boy was serving as the drummer for a Union regiment. He was ordered to beat Attack. Responding to his spirited beating of the Attack, the troops stormed up a hill but met fierce fire and came to a halt. The captain ordered the boy to beat the Retreat. To this new command, the boy drummed, but again he beat Attack. The officer shouted, "I said to beat Retreat!"

"Captain," he answered, "Attack is all I know. They never taught me Retreat." The troops, having heard the familiar signal to attack, resumed their charge. And to their surprise, and their captain's, they took the hill.

Our Lord has commissioned us to "Go" and "preach the gospel" to everyone, to "make disciples of all the nations" (Matthew 28:19). In this great commission, we have not only the pardon papers for the lost, but we also have the marching orders for the church. Jesus, in essence, is beating the charge to Attack.

Attack - going, teaching, loving all we can - is the only song Jesus sent us out with. It should be our constant chorus!