y in their presence a word in favour of the gospel or
of respect for its divine Author. But there was such a one amongst
those who had the privilege of sitting at the king's table; an old grey-
headed man of rank, who had fought his country's battles nobly, and
whose wise counsels in state affairs were highly prized by his
sovereign. He was dining one day at the palace, and saw all round him
none but those who made a mock of sin and religion. The conversation
flowed freely, and the smart jests of Frederick called forth similar
flashes of wit from his different guests. The subject of Christianity
soon came up, and was immediately handled in the most profane and bitter
style by the king and those around him. No wit is so cheap as profane
wit; for the devil seems to give a special facility of sarcasm to those
who attack God's truth; and, besides that, there seems nothing which
ungodly men relish so much, for giving point to their blasphemies, as
Scripture facts or words misquoted, misapplied, or parodied. So the
gospel and its Founder were bandied from tongue to tongue as a theme for
unholy mirth. But presently there was a pause and a dead silence; for
the grey-headed old soldier, who had sat perfectly silent and deeply
pained, as he listened to the unhallowed talk of his companions, rose to
his feet, his face flushed, and his hoary head bowed down. What was
coming now?

"`May it please your majesty,' the old man began, while the tears ran
down his cheeks, and his voice was troubled, `I have always, as I am
sure you will acknowledge, behaved with due respect to your majesty
whenever in your majesty's presence; nor can any one here say that he
has ever heard me speak evil of your majesty behind your back. Your
majesty knows, also, that I have endeavoured to serve you faithfully on
the field and in the council-chamber. You must therefore bear with me
while I say that I cannot sit patiently by and hear your majesty join
with your friends in speaking evil of the dearest friend I have, one
dearer to me than my life, and whom I must hold in greater honour than
even your majesty. I mean my Saviour and heavenly King, the Lord Jesus
Christ. Pardon me, therefore, your majesty, if I ask leave to withdraw
at once.'

"Just imagine, dear boys, such a speech in such a company, for to such
effect were the words spoken by that noble old soldier of the Cross.
Ah! it is comparatively easy to stand up for the truth in our day and