There is, in this campaign, no question of travelling to some distant theatre of operations, nor of waiting for a selected moment. You begin at once, and just where you are. Perhaps that is why the fighting needs some stiff courage. "To ride abroad redressing human wrongs" would have all the glamour of a great adventure. But to strike a blow for Truth and Right, and keep lifted high the Colours of the King of Kings, in your own immediate circle, where you know the others and the others know you--that needs real grit. All the more because if you do that you may easily find yourself alone. Most people make no attempt to swim against the stream, they float down with it. The line of least resistance, and the path of popularity, are barred to the Christian Knight. As Christian said to By-ends in the Pilgrim's Progress: "If you will go with us, you must go against Wind and Tide: you must also own Religion in his rags, as well as when in his silver slippers; and stand by him too when bound in irons, as well as when he walketh the streets with applause."
"The Son of God goes forth to war,
A Kingly crown to gain;
His blood-red banner streams afar!
Who follows in His train?"
Again and again, in Flanders, in Gallipoli, and on every front, courage has shown itself to be a contagious thing. Fired by an undaunted leader, cheered by stout hearts at his side, many a man has proved himself braver than he ever thought to be. In one of his campaigns the Duke of Wellington happened, on one occasion, to be absent from the army and rode up just as it was retreating. A soldier saw him and shouted out, "Yonder is Lord Wellington. God bless him." The shout was taken up by the whole force; the retreating army was inspired to a fresh effort, turned and drove the enemy headlong. Jesus Christ has a like effect on those who get near enough to Him to feel the magic of His influence. It just makes you a man to be in His company.
"I have a Captain,
And the heart of every valiant man
Has drunk in valour from His eyes
Since first the War began.
He is most merciful in fight.
And of His scars a single sight
The embers of our failing might
Into a flame can fan."
CHIVALRY
"He saved others: Himself He cannot save."--ST. MATTHEW xxvii. 42.
"Ye ought to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how He Himself said, It is more blessed to give than to receive."--ACTS xx. 35.
"Follow the Christ, the King,
Live pure, speak true, right wrong, follow the king--
Else, wherefore born?"--TENNYSON.
III
CHIVALRY