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Messages to Young People
tender earnestness with their companions to forsake the ways of sin
and choose the path of holiness?
This is the course which the believing young should take, but they
do not; it is more congenial to their feelings to unite with the sinner
in sport and pleasure. The young have a wide sphere of usefulness,
but they see it not. Oh that they would now exert their powers of mind
in seeking ways to approach perishing sinners, that they might make
known to them the path of holiness, and by prayer and entreaty win
even one soul to Christ!
What a noble enterprise? One soul to praise God through eternity!
One soul to enjoy happiness and everlasting life! One gem in their
crown to shine as a star forever and ever! But even more than one can
be brought to turn from error to truth, from sin to holiness. Says the
Lord by the prophet, “And they that turn many to righteousness shall
shine as the stars forever and ever.” Then those who engage with Christ
and angels in the work of saving perishing souls are richly rewarded
in the kingdom of heaven.
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I saw that many souls might be saved if the young were where they
ought to be, devoted to God and to the truth; but they generally occupy
a position where constant labor must be bestowed upon them or they
will become of the world themselves. They are a source of constant
anxiety and heartache. Tears flow on their account, and agonizing
prayers and wrung from the hearts of parents in their behalf. Yet they
move on, reckless of the pain which their course of action causes.
They plant thorns in the breasts of those who would die to save them,
and have them become what God designed they should, through the
merits of the blood of Christ....
A Work to Do
Young men and young women, I saw that God has a work for you
to do; take up your cross and follow Christ, or you are unworthy of
Him. While you remain in listless indifference, how can you tell what
is the will of God concerning you? and how do you expect to be saved,
unless as faithful servants you do your Lord’s will. Those who possess
eternal life will all have done well. The King of glory will exalt them
to His right hand, while He says to them, “Well done, good and faithful
servants.” How can you tell how many souls you might save from ruin,