Love of the World
573
views of God and of eternity, until the Lord makes them channels of
light and wisdom to the world.
Some of the youth in-----are in a hardened state of sin; they are
coarse, uncourteous, rough, and rebellious. They have had great light,
and have rejected it. If they now choose the way of peace, they must do
so from principle rather than from feeling. Sin and holiness can make
no compromise. The Bible contains no sanction of ungodliness, no
sweet words of forbearance and charity for the persistently impenitent.
Jesus came to draw all men unto Himself, and His followers must walk
in the light of His glorious example, at whatever sacrifice of ease or
reputation, at whatever peril of property or life. In this way only can
they fight the good fight of faith.
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A pearl of great price is offered to the youth. They may sell all and
buy this pearl, or they may refuse it to their own infinite loss. Heaven
may be attained by all who will comply with the conditions laid down
in the word of God. Our Redeemer was obedient unto death; He gave
Himself an offering for sin. Ye are redeemed with the precious blood
of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish.” “The blood of Jesus Christ
His Son cleanseth us from all sin.” Young friends, you may form
earnest purposes in your own strength, you may flatter yourselves that
you can pursue a straightforward course without yielding the heart
to the controlling influence of the Spirit of God; but you are not thus
made happy. Your restless spirit needs change and thirsts for pleasure
in amusement and hilarity and the society of your young associates.
You are hewing out to yourselves broken cisterns which contain no
water. A deceptive power controls your mind and actions. Happiness
is to be found only in repentance toward God and faith toward our
Lord Jesus Christ; for your heart is filled with rebellion; it breathes
forth in your words. Your selfish prayers and religious forms may
soothe the conscience, but they only increase your peril. Your nature
is unrenewed.
The precious blood of Jesus is the fountain prepared to cleanse
the soul from the defilement of sin. When you determine to take Him
as your friend, a new and enduring light will shine from the cross
of Christ. A true sense of the sacrifice and intercession of the dear
Saviour will break the heart that has become hardened in sin; and love,
thankfulness, and humility will come into the soul. The surrender
of the heart to Jesus subdues the rebel into a penitent, and then the