Patriotism (love of one’s country) is a virtue every Christian ought to possess.
At one time when a hostile army was advancing upon Vienna, the enemy seized an Austrian farmer and ordered him to act as their guide. This the farmer stoutly refused to do. Then the general of the invading force offered him a large sum of money, but he persisted in his refusal. Finally, the general resorted to threatening him. “If you will not show us the way,” he said, “I will order you shot immediately.” “Very good, sir,” the farmer replied; “In that case I shall die as an honest, upright subject of my emperor, and not become a dastardly traitor to my country.” When the general heard this speech, he shook the man by the hand, saying: “Go back home, my brave fellow, we will find our way without a guide.”