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Testimonies for the Church Volume 4
If he loves the society of those who love sin and love to do evil, his
thoughts will run in a low channel, and he will see nothing attractive
in purity and holiness. But could he see the end of the transgressor,
that the wages of sin is death, he would be overcome with alarm and
would cry out: “O my Father, be Thou the guide of my youth.”
His success in this life depends very much upon the course he now
pursues. The responsibilities of life must be borne by him. He has
not been a promising youth. He has been impatient and is wanting in
self-control. This is the seed his father is sowing, which will produce a
harvest for the sower to reap. “Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he
also reap.” With what care should we cast in the seed, knowing that we
must reap as we have sown. Jesus still loves this young man. He died
for him and invites him to come to His arms and find in Him peace and
happiness, quiet and rest. This youth is forming associations which
will mold his whole life. He should connect with God and without
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delay give to Him his unreserved affections. He should not hesitate.
Satan will make his fiercest assaults upon him, but he must not be
overcome by temptation.
I have been shown the dangers of youth. Their hearts are full
of high anticipations, and they see the downward road strewn with
tempting pleasures which look very inviting; but death is there. The
narrow path to life may appear to them to be destitute of attractions, a
path of thorns and briers, but it is not. It is the path which requires a
denial of sinful pleasures; it is a narrow path, cast up for the ransomed
of the Lord to walk in. None can walk this path and carry with them
their burdens of pride, self-will, deceit, falsehood, dishonesty, passion,
and the carnal lusts. The path is so narrow that these things will have
to be left behind by those who walk in it, but the broad road is wide
enough for sinners to travel it with all their sinful propensities.
Young man, if you reject Satan with all his temptations you may
walk in the footsteps of your Redeemer and have the peace of heaven,
the joys of Christ. You cannot be happy in the indulgence of sin.
You may flatter yourself that you are happy, but real happiness you
cannot know. The character is becoming deformed by the indulgence
of sin. Danger is encountered at every downward step, and those who
could help the youth do not see or realize it. The kind and tender
interest which should be taken in the young is not manifested. Many