Warnings and Reproofs
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unworthy objects, then it was that self asserted the sway, that carnal
reason overbore wise judgment and integrity, and the Christian armor
was thought too weighty to be borne by those so young in years. It
would do for old, experienced soldiers of the gospel, but it was too
heavy for youth. The tempter offered many suggestions calculated to
cause inconstancy and vacillation in the Christian course.
The injunction of the Captain of their salvation was, “Take ye heed,
watch and pray,” “lest ye enter into temptation;” but it was too much
trouble to faithfully guard the soul, and the deceptive power of Satan
and the deceitful heart allured away from Christ. If these young men
and young women had considered the words of the apostle, “Ye are
not your own, for ye are bought with a price,” they would not have felt
at liberty to keep back from God that which He had purchased at an
infinite cost.
There is not one youth in one hundred who feels his God-given
responsibility. Every physical and mental capability should be care-
fully preserved and put to the best and highest use to advance the glory
of God. Those youth who permit their powers to be perverted, thus
abusing God’s gifts, will be called to strict account for the good they
might have done had they availed themselves of the provision made
through Jesus Christ. God claims the working of every faculty.
There are youth in the-----church who should be cultivating the
grace of Christian steadfastness and growing up to be men of faith.
They should become firm, unwavering, rooted and grounded in the
truth. The church needs the very help which God designed they should
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give. Those professing His name have not consecrated their powers
fully and entirely to Him, but have yielded them, in a measure, to the
service of Satan. Such have been, and still are, robbing God. Like the
unfaithful steward to whom were entrusted talents, they have hid the
gifts of God in the world.
Another great detriment to the church at-----has been the material
which has come into it. This material needs to be melted over by the
Spirit of God. The dross is seen in crude, sharp traits of character,
which might have been removed had these individuals been learners
of Christ. But they have not fully separated themselves from the spirit
and influences of the world. They rob God by daily mingling His time,
His talents, and His strength with a worldly element. These powers
cannot be withheld from God without resulting in eternal ruin. You