“Persecution has come upon us, right honorable brethren, and persecution in the severest form. Shepherds are persecuted that their flocks may be scattered. And the worst of all is that those who are being treated ill cannot accept their sufferings in proof of their testimony, nor can the people reverence the athletes as in the army of martyrs, because the name of Christians is applied to the persecutors. The one charge which is now sure to secure severe punishment is the careful keeping of the traditions of the Fathers.” PeopleMayChristianFormSufferingFatherNamesAcceptingWorstTraditionArmyAthleteIllCarefulProofPunishmentTreatedSecureCatholicismReverenceHonorableSeverePersecutionTestimonyMartyrFlocksShepherdsBrethrenPersecuted Author:Saint Basil
“I have sometimes thought there could be no stronger testimony in favor of Religion or against temporal Enjoyments even the most rational and manly than for men who occupy the most honorable and gainful departments and are rising in reputation and wealth, publicly to declare their unsatisfactoriness by becoming fervent Advocates in the cause of Christ, & I wish you may give in your Evidence in this way. Such instances have seldom occurred, therefore they would be more striking and would be instead of a "Cloud of Witnesses.” MenWayGivingMaySometimesWould BeWishCausesChristWealthBecomingEvidenceStrongerCloudsFavorsRationalReputationInstanceWitnessEnjoymentRisingDepartmentHonorableTestimonyWish YouManlyFervent Book:The Papers of James Madison Source: The Papers of James Madison