The blessings asked for in this prayer are just what we need amidst the dangers and temptations that surround us in this evil world. If we only obtain for ourselves “the strength and protection” here prayed for, and which God has promised to give to those who truly seek it, we need not be afraid either of the power or the growth of sin. This strength will be a safeguard to us against the power of sin, and this protection will check the growth of sin in our hearts. It will indeed, “support us in all dangers, and carry us through all temptations.” If Judas had used such a prayer as this, and had earnestly sought “the strength and protection” here spoken of, he would never have been known as “the traitor,” and the end of his earthly life would never have been wound up with this shameful sentence—“he went and hanged himself.” But, as wrecks along the shore show us where the danger lies, so, when we see the wrecks we should try to avoid the rocks on which they struck and go on our way in safety. I know not how to finish this subject better than for each of us to say, in the words of the hymn: “My soul, be on thy guard; Ten thousand foes arise; And hosts of sins are pressing hard To draw thee from the skies. “O watch, and fight, and pray; The battle ne’er give o’er; Renew it boldly every day, And help divine implore.” [Illustration: Jesus, Arrayed in Mock State, is Crowned and Beaten Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the common hall, and gathered unto him the whole band _of soldiers_. And they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe. And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put _it_ upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews! And they spit upon him, and took the reed, and smote him on the head.—_St. Matt. xxvii: 27-30._ _NOTE BY THE ARTIST_ _Had it been possible to add a pang to the suffering already endured, this must surely have been effected by the foul jests and ribald mockery which Jesus was now called upon to endure at the hands of the ruffians of the barrack-room. The lust of cruelty, delight in inflicting and witnessing torture, marks the lowest depth of human depravity; and to sorrow of heart beyond what we can comprehend, to physical suffering as great as any which mortal man can endure and live, was now added the humiliation of being the object of sport and derision to the dregs of mankind. For these men were not even Romans, save in name; the ranks of the imperial armies called upon for foreign service being mainly recruited from the scum of the population of tributary provinces._ 65] THE TRIAL