Page:The stuff of manhood (1917).djvu/34

 and convictions as to life's values in these matters, and spoke with the greatest scorn of all indulgence and softness of life. "What went ye out for to see?" He asked the people, regarding John. "A man clothed in soft raiment? Behold, they that wear soft clothing are in king's houses." He was looking after men of iron and of austerity. "If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow me."

The beautiful thing is that this appeal of Christ's was not futile. Instead of repelling men it drew them. He actually obtained the men whom He was hunting for, not by offering them worldly inducements, not by making such appeals as anybody but Christ would have made, but by addressing the sacrificial spirit in them, and making an appeal to their latent capacity for heroism. There is a wonderful tribute in Jesus' method to those characteristics in human nature which have never been destroyed, which can answer to the highest motives, which do not need to be bought by any low compensations, but which spring into full life when appealed to on the most heroic and unselfish plane. We know how, in consequence, this exultation in difficulties, this love of hardship, this scorn of ease became the characteristic note of early Christianity. In the best summary description which Saint Paul gives of Christian character