Needs of the Canvassing Work
43
But they make not God their defense. Satan has an insidious snare
prepared for them, and they themselves become the sport of fools.
Our great adversary has agents that are constantly hunting for an
opportunity to destroy souls, as a lion hunts his prey. Shun them,
young man; for, while they appear to be your friends, they will slyly
introduce evil ways and practices. They flatter you with their lips, and
offer to help and guide you; but their steps take hold on hell. If you
listen to their counsel, it may be the turning point in your life. One
safeguard removed from conscience, the indulgence of one evil habit,
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a single neglect of the high claims of duty, may be the beginning of a
course of deception that will pass you into the ranks of those who are
serving Satan, while you are all the time professing to love God and
His cause. A moment of thoughtlessness, a single misstep, may turn
the whole current of your lives in the wrong direction. And you may
never know what caused your ruin until the sentence is pronounced:
“Depart from Me, ye that work iniquity.”
Avoid Evil Associates
Some young men know that what I have said fairly describes their
course. Their ways are not hidden from the Lord, although they may
be hidden from their best friends, even their fathers and mothers. I
have little hope that some of these will ever change their course of
hypocrisy and deception. Others who have erred are seeking to redeem
themselves. May the dear Jesus help them to set their faces as a flint
against all falsehoods and the flatteries of those who would weaken
their purpose to do right or who would insinuate doubts or infidel
sentiments to shake their faith in the truth. Young friends, do not spend
an hour in the company of those who would unfit you for the pure and
sacred work of God. Do nothing before strangers that you would not
do before your father and mother, or that you would be ashamed of
before Christ and the holy angels.
Some may think these cautions are not needed by Sabbathkeepers,
but those to whom they apply know what I mean. I tell you, young
men, to beware; for you can do nothing that is not open to the eyes
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of angels and of God. You cannot do an evil work and others not
be affected by it. While your course of action reveals what kind of
material is used in your own character building, it also has a powerful