Basic HTML Version
Self-Deceived Youth
259
deception is upon many of the young. They think they are Christians,
but they have never been converted. Until this work shall be wrought
in them, they will not understand the mystery of godliness. There
is no peace to the wicked. God requires truth and sincerity of heart.
He sees and pities you, and all the youth who are eagerly following
childish toys and wasting short, precious time for things of no value.
Christ has bought you at a dear price, and offers you grace and glory
if you will receive it; but you turn from the precious promise of the
gift of everlasting life, to the meager and unsatisfactory pleasures of
earth.
Your labor in this direction will bring no profit, but great loss.
The wages of sin is death. Life and heaven are before you, but you
[290]
seem not to know their value. You have not meditated upon the
precious things of heaven. If the inestimable love of Christ be turned
from, if heaven and glory and everlasting life be considered of little
value, what motive can we present to move? what inducement to
charm? Will foolish sports and a round of exciting pleasures attract
the mind, and separate from God, and deaden the heart to His fear?
Oh, I beg of you who have so little interest in holy things, to
closely investigate your own heart. What plea will you make before
God for your worldly, unconsecrated life? In that dread day you will
have no plea to make. You will be speechless. Think, oh, think, in
your pleasure-seeking hours, that all these things have an end. Did
you have correct views of life, endless life with God, how quickly
would you turn from a life of pleasure and sin. How quickly would
you change your mind, your course, and your company, and turn
the strength of your affection to God and heavenly things. How
resolutely would you scorn to yield to temptations which have de-
ceived and captivated you. How zealous would be your efforts for
the blessed life; how earnest and persevering your prayers to God
for His grace to abide upon you, for His power to sustain you and
help you resist the devil. How diligent would you be to improve
every religious privilege to learn the ways and will of God. How
careful would you be in meditating upon the law of God, and in
comparing your life with its claims. How fearful would you be lest
you sin in word or deed, and how earnest to grow in grace and true
holiness. Your conversation would not be on trifling things, but in
heaven. Then glorious and eternal things would open before you,