hut
up in prison for long weary years for doing what was right and saying
what was true, endure manfully for the sake of some good cause, and say,-
-

"Stone walls do not a prison make,
Nor iron bars a cage;
Minds innocent and quiet take
That for an hermitage.
If I have freedom in my thought,
And in my love am free,
Angels alone, that soar above,
Enjoy such liberty."

Yes; settle it in your hearts, all of you. There is but one thing which
you have to fear in earth or heaven,--being untrue to your better selves,
and therefore untrue to God. If you will not do the thing you know to be
right, and say the thing you know to be true, then indeed you are weak.
You are a coward, and sin against God, and suffer the penalty of your
cowardice. You desert God, and therefore you cannot expect Him to stand
by you.

But if you will do the thing you know to be right, and say the thing you
know to be true, then what can harm you? Who will harm you, asks St
Peter himself, "if you be followers of that which is good? For the eyes
of the Lord are over the righteous, and His ears are open to their
prayers. But if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye; and be
not afraid of those who try to terrify you, neither be troubled, but
sanctify the Lord God in your hearts. Remember that He is just and holy,
and a rewarder of all who diligently seek Him. Worship Him in your
hearts, and all will be well. For says David again, "Lord, who shall
dwell in Thy tabernacle, or who shall rest upon Thy holy hill? Even he
that leadeth an uncorrupt life, and doeth the thing which is right, and
speaketh the truth from his heart. Whoso doeth these things shall never
fall."

Yes, my friends; there is a tabernacle of God in which, even in this
life, He will hide us from the strife of tongues. There is a hill of God
on which, even in the midst of labour and anxiety, we may rest both day
and night. Even Jesus Christ, the Rock of Ages,--He who is the
Righteousness itself, the Truth itself; and whosoever does righteousness
and speaks truth dwells in Christ in this life, as well as in the life to
come; and Christ will strengthen him by His Holy Spirit to stand in the
evil day, if it shall come, and having done all, to stand. My dear
friends, if any of you are minded to be good men and women, pray for the
Holy Spirit of God. First for the spirit of love to give you good
desires; then the spi