It would be easy to fill pages with the names of individuals who have gone down in defeat, but who in their very failure have started influences which have enriched the world. In the centre of this great host is Jesus Christ. The story of His blessed life is a story of failure and defeat according to the world’s estimate. But did the Cross leave a blot on His name? Is it not the very glory of His life that He died thus in the darkness that day? Was His career a failure? Christianity is the answer. He is the Captain also and Leader of a great host who like Him have been defeated and have failed, but have made the world richer by their sacrifice. Let no one speak of such defeats as blots on fair names; rather they are adornings of glory. In all such failure there is divine beauty.