do in determining relations here. It aggregates men, according to
sorts; but its operation is thwarted by other conditions, so that
companionship is often misery. But a time comes when it will work
unhindered, and men will be united with their like, as the stones on
some sea-beaches are laid in rows, according to their size, by the
force of the sea. Judas 'went to his own place,' and, in another
world, like will draw to like, and prevailing tendencies will be
increased by association with those who share them.

The prayer of the Church was probably the inspired outpouring of one
voice, and all the people said 'Amen,' and so made it theirs. Whose
voice it was which thus put into words the common sentiment we should
gladly have known, but need not speculate. The great fact is that the
Church answered threats by prayer. It augurs healthy spiritual life
when opposition and danger neither make cheeks blanch with fear nor
flush with anger. No man there trembled nor thought of vengeance, or
of repaying threats with threats. Every man there instinctively
turned heavenwards, and flung himself, as it were, into God's arms
for protection. Prayer is the strongest weapon that a persecuted
Church can use. Browning makes a tyrant say, recounting how he had
tried to crush a man, that his intended victim

'Stood erect, caught at God's skirts, and prayed,
So _I_ was afraid.'

The contents of the prayer are equally noteworthy. Instead of
minutely studying it verse by verse, we may note some of its salient
points. Observe its undaunted courage. That company never quivered or
wavered. They had no thought of obeying the mandate of the Council.
They were a little army of heroes. What had made them so? What but