Emphasis Preaching Journal

Mid-winter in the year A.D. 320 when the Roman emperor was persecuting Christians, his Thundering Legion was stationed at Sebaste. Because forty men in that company had declared themselves believers, they were sentenced to spend the night naked on a frozen lake. A large fire was kindled in a house nearby for any who would renounce their faith. As daylight faded, the warriors huddled together and were reported to be heard singing, "O Lord, forty wrestlers have come forth to fight for Thee. Grant that forty wrestlers may gain the victory!" Finally, one of them could endure no longer.