ch before Nero, that vice-president of hell.
His sufferings were appalling; read them. He trod in his Master's
footsteps, and so received--God is always just in His favors--the
same splendid compliment that Jesus did. "All forsook him." So there
were some Chocolate Christians in those days too. Anyone who forsook
Paul must have been made of Chocolate. Doubtless the "CHOCOLATES"
excused themselves as they do today. "Who could abide such a
fanatical, fiery fool? such an uncompromising character? Nobody could
work with him, or he with them!" (What a lie! Jesus did, and they got
on well together.) A tactless enthusiast, who considered it his
business to tell every man the unvarnished truth regardless of
consequences. He won his degree hands down, and without a touch of
the spur. A first-class one, too--that of the headman's axe--next
best to that of the cross.

And so the tale goes on. Go where you will through the Scriptures or
history, you find that men who really knew God, and didn't merely say
they did, were invariably Paragons of Pluck; Dare-Devil Desperadoes
for Jesus; Gamblers for God. "Fools and Madmen," shout the world and
the Chocolates. "Yes, for Christ's sake," add the Angels!

Nobly they fought to win the prize,
Climbing the steep ascents of heaven,
Thro' peril, toil, and pain.
O God, to us let grace be given,
To follow in their train.

The Chocolate Christians of today can at least boast of having
ancient pedigrees. There are CHOCOLATES A LA REUBEN, who have great
searchings of heart, and make great resolves of heart too. But
somehow they still sit among the sheepfolds, listening to the pipings
of their much-loved organs and church choirs. It's good to have a
great heartsearching. It's better to make a great heart-resolve. But,
if instead of obeying, we squat among the sheep, leaving our few
hard-pressed brethren to tackle the wolves by themselves, verily we
are but Chocolate Christians. You made a great resolve to go to
Africa for Christ a year or two ago. Where are you now? In England?
Yes! Yes! Lollipop! (Judges 5:16.)

There are CHOCOLATES MEROZ, who earned the curse of the angel of the
Lord. War was declared; the battle about to begin; the odds were
outrageous, and Meroz remained in England attending conventions until
the battle was over, then he went, in comfort and security, as a
Cook's tourist! Doubtless they said, "They couldn't fight till they
had been properly ordained, and, besid