Loyalty is a royal word! It implies a stanch heart and a high cause. Loyalty is fortified by conviction. It carries on its escutcheon the pure resolve of sacrifice. Purposefulness and alertness mark its way, and faithfulness is its bulwark. Like charity, loyalty "endureth all things."
The Apostle Paul gave to the world a glowing example of loyalty. Once he had grasped the vision of the Christ, he set about blotting out past mistakes by present accomplishment. Relinquishing ease, comfortable fellowship with the majority, approbation of others, self-righteous complacency, he gained the joy of kindling in the hearts of men a response to the Master's message.
Paul's career led to strange necessities in the eyes of the people. His adherence to it astonished them. That he proceeded unmoved through scorn, reprisal, imprisonment, and bodily hurt outraged their sense of values; but while they called him mad, on the other hand they yielded him their reluctant respect.
