Perhaps they oppose him in his discipleship--in varying degrees this ofttimes is the experience.

Perhaps they are only indifferent, making no opposition, only quietly watching his life to see if it is consistent.

In any case, however, he must stand for Christ alone, without the help that comes from companionship.
Or it may be in the workshop or in the school that the young Christian must stand alone.

He returns from the Lord's Table to his week-day duties, full of noble impulses, but finds himself the only Christian in the place where his duty leads him.

His companions are ready to sneer, and they point the finger of scorn at him, with irritating epithets.
Or they even persecute him in petty ways.