True Nobles and Feroes. 13

not get the decoration of the Victoria Cross
in the battle itself, often forgetting the
while, that the true heroism is that which
grasps everyday difficulties as they come,
determined that however mean or humble
the struggle is, it shall be ennobled by a
noble mind adapting itself to circumstances,
and resolving to persevere and triumph
over Satan and his devices.

Even the expectation of achieving dis-
tinction on the field is a healthy stimulant
toa young lad. It has been happily said
that the knapsack of every French soldier
carries a field-marshal’s baton within it;
and the very thought of this makes the raw
clodhopper bear himself with a more noble
mien and manly gait than he otherwise
would. Oh! if the lads who read this
would remember that God offers them His
Holy Spirit; The Truth to assist them in
every struggle for the mastery against sin,
and that, if they will only be guided by
Him as they march on to the battle-field of
life, He will give them what is far better
than a marshal’s baton, the promise fulfilled,
“As thy day is, so shall thy strength be!”