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In the forests of northern Europe and Asia and even in Northern Canada lives a small foot-long weasel-like creature called the ermine. Ermines' coats are normally brown in color except during the winter months when its fur becomes snow-white.
Hunters, knowing the ermine's instinct to protect his white coat, take advantage of this unusual trait. They wait until the ermine is out of its den or hole, and then smear tar or some other substance around the entrance of its home. They then set dogs loose on its trail which chase the ermine back to its home. Instead of entering its den and soiling its beautiful white coat, the ermine will turn and face the dogs and fight to the death or allow itself to be captured.
Over the centuries, the ermine has appeared on coats of arms as the emblem of knights who would perform any unpleasant deed or suffer any hardship, including death, rather than stain their reputation or conscience.
Oh, how the world needs to see Christian men and women who would live up to their calling of purity and holiness. They need to see people who would never do anything that would tarnish their souls, but instead face any danger, any temptation with courage and conviction. Jesus has always wanted such to be his followers.
Tom Nuckels |