We must not fear what man can do to us, but commit our way to the Father
of the Family. We must be nowise anxious to defend ourselves; and if not
ourselves because God is our defence, then why our friends? is he not
their defence as much as ours? Commit thy friend's cause also to him who
judgeth righteously. Be ready to bear testimony for thy friend, as thou
wouldst to receive the blow struck at him; but do not plunge into a nest
of scorpions to rescue his handkerchief. Be true to him thyself, nor
spare to show thou lovest and honourest him; but defence may dishonour:
men may say, What! is thy friend's esteem then so small? He is unwise
who drags a rich veil from a cactus-bush.

Whatever our relation, then, with any peace-breaker, our mercy must ever
be within call; and it may help us against an indignation too strong to
be pure, to remember that when any man is reviled for righteousness-sake,
then is he blessed.




_THE REWARD OF OBEDIENCE._

'Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.' 'Blessed are
they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the
kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye when men shall revile you and
persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for
my sake. Rejoice and be exceeding glad, for great is your reward in
heaven; for so persecuted they the prophets which were before
you.'--_Matthew_, v. 7, 10 11, 12.