Persecutions and Trials the Lot of God's people.
By B. F. Snook
ThE Scriptures in many places declare that during this life the Christian must suffer for Jesus on account of his faith in him. Paul and Barnabas exhorted the disciples to continue in the faith and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God. Acts xiv, 22. Peter also says, "Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial, which is to try you as though some strange thing happened unto you. But rejoice inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings, that when his glory shall be revealed ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. 1. Pet. iv, 12-13. These fiery trials were patiently suffered by the primitive Christians. Their zeal, and faithful lives of constant holiness, provoked the Devil, their great adversary, who stirred up the enemies of their faith to envy and wrath against them. Fox says, that "during this reign (Domitian's) there were a variety of tales invented for the purpose of injuring the reputation of the Christians. Among other things, they were accused of meeting together for the grossest immorality, of murdering their children, and even of eating them. They were also accused of being rebellious, and opposed to the Roman government. And when any calamity befel any portion of the Roman empire, such as earthquakes, pestilences, or famines, it was imputed solely to their impiety."—Book of Martyrs, p. 17. Again he says on p. 18: "The various kinds of punishment inflicted, were imprisonment, confiscation of property, banishment, broiling, hanging, and worrying with dogs and wild beasts. Many were torn piecemeal with red hot pincers, and others were thrown upon the horns of furious bulls." And yet amid these fiery trials, God's people were zealous, faithful and active. And if such be true, ought not we to live more faithfully, under our benign and comparatively happy circumstances? We should live nearer to God and farther from the Devil, lest our persecution be for our faults instead of our virtues. May God give us stronger courage and more strength iu which to serve him and live out his blessed truths.
B. F. SNOOK.