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Pizarro, in his earlier attempts to conquer Peru, came to a time when his followers were about to desert him. Drawing his sword he traced a line with it from east to west. Then turning toward the south, “Friends and comrades,” he said, “on that side are toil, hunger, nakedness, the drenching storm, desertion, death; on this side are ease and pleasure. There lies Peru, with all its riches; here Panama with its poverty. Choose, each man, as becomes a brave Castilian. For my part, I go to the south.”
So saying, he stepped across the line. One after another, his men followed him. This was the crisis of Pizarro’s fate. Christ stands among us bidding us to choose whether we will follow him, not knowing whiter or to what; or whether we will withdraw ourselves from his company and take ease and self. Choose ye whom ye will serve.