what we draw from the soil in which we are rooted, even God Himself, in whom the roots find both anchorage and nutriment.  And the more we are thrown back upon Him, and the less we find food for our best selves in the things about us, the more likely is our religion to be robust and thorough-going, and conscious ever of His presence.  Resistance strengthens muscles, and the more there is need for that in our Christian lives, the manlier and the stronger and the better shall we probably be.  Let no man or woman say, ’If only circumstances were more favourable, oh, what a saint I could be; but how can I be one, with all these unfavourable conditions?  How can a man keep the purity of his Christian life and the fervour of his Christian communion amidst the tricks and chicanery and small things of Manchester business?  How can a woman find time to hold fellowship with God, when all day long she is distracted in her nursery with all these children hanging on her to look after?  How can we, in our actual circumstances, reach the ideal of Christian character?’

Ah, brother, if the ideal’s being realised depends on circumstances, it is a poor affair.  It depends on you, and he that has vitality enough within him to keep hold of Jesus Christ, has thereby power enough within him to turn enemies into friends, and unfavourable circumstances into helps instead of hindrances.  Your ship can sail wonderfully near to the wind if you trim the sails rightly, and keep a good, strong grip on the helm, and the blasts that blow all but in your face, may be made to carry you triumphantly into the haven of your desire.  Remember Daniel, in that godless court reeking with lust and cruelty, and learn that purity and holiness and communion with God do not depend on environment, but upon the inmost will of the man.

II.  Notice the keen critics that all good men have to face.

In this man’s case, of course, their eyesight was mended by the microscope of envy and malice.  That is no doubt the case with some of us too.  But whether that be so or no, however unobtrusive and quiet a Christian person’s life may be, there will be some people standing close by who, if not actually watching for his fall, are at least by no means indisposed to make the worst of a slip, and to rejoice over an inconsistency.

We do not need to complain of that.  It is perfectly reasonable and perfectly right.  There will always be a tendency to judge men, who by any means profess that they are living by the highest law, with a judgment that has very little charity in it.  And it is perfectly right that it should be so.  Christian people need to be trained to be indifferent to men’s opinions, but they also need to be reminded that they are bound, as the Apostle says, to ’provide things honest in the sight of all men.’  It is a reasonable and right requirement that they should ‘have a good report of them that are without.’  Be content to be tried by a high standard, and do not wonder, and do not forget that there are keen eyes watching your conduct, in your home, in your relations to your friends, in your business, in your public life, which would weep no tears, but might gleam with malicious satisfaction, if they saw inconsistencies in you.  Remember it, and shape your lives so that they may be disappointed.