I am told that Emperor Napoleon once went to a very skillful workman, and inquired of him if he could make a bullet-proof jacket or under garment, one that he himself would feel safe to wear as a protection against bullets.
The workman assured him he could make just such a garment; one he would feel entirely safe to wear himself. The Emperor engaged him to make the article, requesting him to take time, and see that it was truly bullet-proof.
The workman took much time and pains in its construction. The jacket was finished, and the Emperor notified that it was ready for him.
Napoleon, after carefully examining it, asked the maker if he still felt sure a bullet could not pierce it. The workman said he was sure no bullet could penetrate it; that he himself would feel entirely safe with it on in a shower of bullets. The Emperor asked him to put it on, that he might examine it more fully. The maker put the jacket on himself, that the Emperor might see how finely it fitted and protected the body.
After a careful examination of its make-up and apparent safety, Napoleon stepped back a few feet, and drew his pistol on the man, who cried out: "Don't try it on me!"
But the Emperor said: "You told me it was perfectly safe, and fired". The armor proved itself
bullet-proof.
So Christ has made an armor that renders its wearer perfectly safe against all the fiery darts that may be hurled against it. Christ has tried it on. He was led out into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. For forty days and nights Satan tried to pierce this armor, but broke all his arrows on it. It could not be penetrated. It was thoroughly tested on Christ, that all who put it on might feel safe.
Each soldier of Christ is told, at his start, to put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. This armor covers the Christians loins, his breast, his feet, and is a complete shield to his whole being against any temptation or trial he may encounter. Christ was tempted in all points like as we are, yet without sin.
Let me say, then, to all who feel a little timid about the Christians armor, that it has been tested by our Captain and thousands of his soldiers, and has never yet been pierced by our enemys bullets.
Let us all learn a lesson from this incident of the Emperor, to put on and trust the Christian armor. It has been tested. Trust it in life. Trust it in death. Then you go up, and hear the Master say: "Well done".
A. B. Earle, From: Incidents Used… In His Meetings, published in 1888.
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