many men have been overcome by some
little thing! Turn a moment to the Song of Solomon, the second
chapter, fifteenth verse: "Take us the foxes, the little foxes that
spoil the vines: for our vines have tender grapes." A great many
people seem to think these little things--getting out of patience,
using little deceits, telling white lies (as they call them), and when
somebody calls on you sending word by the servant you are not at
home--all these are little things. Sometimes you can brace yourself up
against a great temptation; and almost before you know it you fall
before some little thing. A great many men are overcome by a little
_persecution_.

Persecution.

Do you know, I don't think we have enough persecution now-a-days. Some
people say we have persecution that is just as hard to bear as in the
Dark Ages. Anyway, I think it would be a good thing if we had a little
of the old fashioned kind just now. It would bring out the strongest
characters, and make us all healthier. I have heard men get up in
prayer-meeting, and say they were going to make a few remarks, and
then keep on till you would think they were going to talk all week. If
we had a little persecution, people of that kind wouldn't talk so
much. Spurgeon used to say some Christians would make good martyrs;
they would burn well, they are so dry. If there were a few stakes for
burning Christians, I think it would take all the piety out of some
men. I admit they haven't got much; but then if they are not willing
to suffer a little persecution for Christ, they are not fit to be His
disciples. We are told: "All that will live godly in Christ Jesus
shall suffer persecution." Make up your mind to this: If the world has
nothing to say against you, Jesus Christ will have nothing to say for
you.

The most glorious triumphs of the Church have been won in times of
persecution. The early church was persecuted for about three hundred
years after the crucifixion, and they were years of growth and
progress. But then, as Saint Augustine has said, the cross passed from
the scene of public executions to the diadem of the Caesars, and the
down-grade movement began. When the Church has joined hands with the
State, it has invariably retrograded in spirituality and
effectiveness; but the opposition of the State has only served to
purify it of all dross. It was persecution that gave Scotland to
Presbyterianism. It was persecution that gave this country to civil
and religious