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to come； until the haughty rulers trembled as if already beholding the
terrors of the day of God。
No such opportunities were now granted the apostle； confined as he was to
his own dwelling； and able to proclaim the truth to those only who sought
him there。 He had not； like Moses and Aaron； a divine command to go before
the profligate king and in the name of the great I AM rebuke his cruelty and
oppression。 Yet it was at this very time； when its chief advocate was
apparently cut off from public labor； that a great victory was won for the
gospel； for from the very household of the king； members were added to the
church。
Nowhere could there exist an atmosphere more uncongenial to Christianity
than in the Roman court。 Nero seemed to have obliterated from his soul the
last trace of the divine； and even of the human； and to bear the impress
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of Satan。 His attendants and courtiers were in general of the same character
as himselffierce； debased； and corrupt。 To all appearance it would be
impossible for Christianity to gain a foothold in the court and palace of
Nero。
Yet in this case； as in so many others； was proved the truth of Paul's
assertion that the weapons of his warfare were 〃mighty through God to the
pulling down of strongholds；〃
2 Corinthians 10：4。 Even in Nero's household；
trophies of the cross were won。 From the vile attendants of a viler king
were gained converts who became sons of God。 These were not Christians
secretly； but openly。 They were not ashamed of their faith。
And by what means was an entrance achieved and a firm footing gained for
Christianity where even its admission seemed impossible？ In his epistle to
the Philippians； Paul ascribed to his own imprisonment his success in
winning converts to the faith from Nero's household。 Fearful lest it might
be thought that his afflictions had impeded the progress of the gospel； he
assured them： 〃I would ye should understand； brethren； that the things which
happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel。〃
Philippians 1：12。
When the Christian churches first learned that Paul was to visit Rome； they
looked forward to a signal triumph of the gospel in that city。 Paul had
borne the truth to many lands； he had proclaimed it in great cities。 Might
not this champion of the faith succeed in winning souls to Christ even in
the metropolis of the world？ But their hopes were crushed by the tidings
that Paul had gone to Rome as a
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prisoner。 They had confidently hoped to see the gospel； once established at
this great center； extend rapidly to all nations and become a prevailing
power in the earth。 How great their disappointment！ Human expectations had
failed； but not the purpose of God。
Not by Paul's sermon's； but by his bonds； was the attention of the court
attracted to Christianity。 It was as a captive that he broke from so many
souls the bonds that held them in the slavery of sin。 Nor was this all。 He
declared： 〃Many of the brethren in the Lord； waxing confident by my bonds；
are much more bold to speak the word without fear。〃 Philippians 1：14。
Paul's patience and cheerfulness during his long and unjust imprisonment；
his courage and faith； were a continual sermon。 His spirit； so unlike the
spirit of the world； bore witness that a power higher than that of earth was
abiding with him。 And by his example； Christians were impelled to greater
energy as advocates of the cause from the public labors of which Paul had
been withdrawn。 In these ways were the apostle's bonds influential； so that
when his power and usefulness seemed cut off； and to all appearance he could
do the least； then it was that he gathered sheaves for Christ in fields from
which he seemed wholly excluded。
Before the close of that two years' imprisonment； Paul was able to say； 〃My
bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace； and in all other places；〃
and among those who sent greetings to the Philippians he mentions chiefly
them 〃that are of Caesar's household。〃 Verse 13； 4：22。
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Patience as well as courage has its victories。 By meekness under trial； no
less than by boldness in enterprise； souls may be won to Christ。 The
Christian who manifests patience and cheerfulness under bereavement and
suffering； who meets even death itself with the peace and calmness of an
unwavering faith； may accomplish for the gospel more than he could have
effected by a long life of faithful labor。 Often when the servant of God is
withdrawn from active duty； the mysterious providence which our shortsighted
vision would lament is designed by God to accomplish a work that otherwise
would never have been done。
Let not the follower of Christ think； when he is no longer able to labor
openly and actively for God and His truth； that he has no service to render；
no reward to secure。 Christ's true witnesses are never laid aside。 In health
and sickness； in life and death； God uses them still。 When through Satan's
malice the servants of Christ have been persecuted； their active labors
hindered； when they have been cast into prison； or dragged to the scaffold
or to the stake； it was that truth might gain a greater triumph。 As these
faithful ones sealed their testimony with their blood； souls hitherto in
doubt and uncertainty were convinced of the faith of Christ and took their
stand courageously for Him。 From the ashes of the martyrs has sprung an
abundant harvest for God。
The zeal and fidelity of Paul and his fellow workers； no less than the faith
and obedience of these converts to Christianity； under circumstances so
forbidding； rebuke slothfulness and lack of faith in the minister of Christ。
The apostle
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and his associate workers might have argued that it would be vain to call to
repentance and faith in Christ the servants of Nero； subjected； as they
were； to fierce temptations； surrounded by formidable hindrances； and
exposed to bitter opposition。 Even should they be convinced of the truth；
how could they render obedience？ But Paul did not reason thus； in faith he
presented the gospel to these souls； and among those who heard were some who
decided to obey at any cost。 Notwithstanding obstacles and dangers； they
would accept the light； and trust God to help them let their light shine
forth to others。
Not only were converts won to the truth in Caesar's household； but after
their conversion they remained in that household。 They did not feel at
liberty to abandon their post of duty because their surroundings were no
longer congenial。 The truth had found them there； and there they remained；
by their changed life and character testifying to the transforming power of
the new faith。
Are any tempted to make their circumstances an excuse for failing to witness
for Christ？ Let them consider the situation of the disciples in Caesar's
householdthe depravity of the emperor； the profligacy of the court。 We can
hardly imagine circumstances more unfavorable to a religious life； and
entailing greater sacrifice or opposition； than those in which these
converts found themselves。 Yet amidst difficulties and dangers they
maintained their fidelity。 Because of obstacles that seem insurmountable；
the Christian may seek to excuse himself from obeying the truth as it is in
Jesus；
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but he can offer no excuse that will bear investigation。 Could he do this he
would prove God unjust in that He had made for His children conditions of
salvation with which they could not comply。
He whose heart is fixed to serve God will find opportunity to witness for
Him。 Difficulties will be powerless to hinder him who is determined to seek
first the kingdom of God and His righteousness。 In the strength gained by
prayer and a study of the word； he will seek virtue and forsake vice。
Looking to Jesus； the Author and Finisher of the faith； who endured the
contradiction of sinners against Himself； the believer will willingly brave
contempt and derision。 And help and grace sufficient for every circumstances
are promised by Him whose word is truth。 His everlasting arms encircle the
soul that turns to Him for aid。 In His care we may rest safely； saying；
〃What time I am afraid； I will trust in Thee。〃 Psalm 56：3。 To all who put
their trust in Him； God will fulfill His promise。
By His own example the Saviour has shown that His followers can be in the
world and yet not of the world。 He came not to partake of its delusive
pleasures； to be swayed by its customs； and to follow its practices； but to
do His Father's will； to seek and save the lost。 With this object before him
the Christian may stand uncontaminated in any surroundings。 Whatever his
station or circumstances； exalted or humble； he will manifest the power of
true religion in the faithful performance of duty。
Not in freedom from trial； but in the midst of it； is Christian
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character developed。 Exposure to rebuffs and opposition leads the follower
of Christ to greater watchfulness and more earnest prayer to the mighty
Helper。