r with honey, and this, we are told, proves the best shield
they can have to keep them from getting stung. And the honey here
very well represents the kindness which Jesus teaches us to practise.
If kindness, gentleness, and forbearance are found running through
all our words and actions, we shall have the best shield to protect
us from the spiteful stings of wicked people.

"Androcles and the Lion." Most of those who read these pages may have
heard this story, but it illustrates the point before us so well that
I do not hesitate to use it here.

Androcles was a Roman slave. To escape the cruel treatment of his
master he ran away. A lonely cave in the midst of the forest was his
home for a while. Returning to his cave one day he met a lion near
the mouth of the cave. He was bellowing as if in pain; and on getting
nearer to him, he found that he was suffering from a thorn which had
run into one of his paws. It was greatly swollen and inflamed, and
was causing him much pain. Androcles went up to the suffering beast.
He drew out the rankling thorn and thus relieved him of his pain. His
nature, savage as it was, felt the power of the kindness thus shown
to him. He became attached to the lonely slave, and shared his prey
with him while they remained together.

But, after a while the retreat of Androcles was discovered. He was
taken and carried back to his master. The lion also was made a
prisoner soon after. Androcles was kept in prison for some time; and
finally, according to the custom of the Romans, he was condemned to be
devoured by wild beasts. The lion to be let loose on Androcles had
been kept a long time without food and was very hungry. When the door
of his den was opened he rushed out with a tremendous roar. The
Colosseum was crowded with spectators. They expected to see the poor
slave torn to pieces in a moment. But, to the surprise of everyone,
the great monster, hungry as he was, instead of devouring the
condemed man, crouched at his feet, and began to fondle him, as a pet
dog would do. He recognized in the poor prisoner his friend of the
forest and showed that he had not forgotten his kindness. The
kindness of Androcles had been like the honey shield to him. It saved
his life, first from the savage beast in the forest; and then from
the savage men in the city. Let us all put on this shield, and wear
it wherever we go. The lesson of kindness which Jesus teaches in
this parable, has been very well put by some