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would not dare to avow that they desired to please Christ rather than man. Wonderful indeed is the power of ridicule ! Marvellous is the bondage in which men live to the opinion of the world !
Let us all pray daily for faith and courage to confess Christ before men, Of sin, or worldliness, or unbelief, we may well be ashamed. We ought never to be ashamed of Him who died for us on the cross. In spite of laughter, mockery, and hard words, let us boldly avow that we serve Christ. Let us often look forward to the day of His second coming, and remember what He says in this place. Better a thousand times confess Christ now, and be despised by man, than be disowned by Christ before His Father in the day of judgment.