Page images
PDF
EPUB

Robert. Yes, teacher; I always like to go to church.

T. Why do you like to go to church?

R. Because I hear about God, and learn the way to heaven.

T. Do you remember the text this morning? R. Yes, it was this: "God so loved the word, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him might not perish, but have everlasting life."

T. Was it not very good in God to give his Son to die?

R. Yes; and I think his love must have been very great; and when I think of it, it makes me wish to love him more.

T. Do you think you love God at all?

R. I think I do; it would be very wicked in me if I did not, after he has loved me so much as to die for me.

T. Why do you think he died for you?

R. Because he died for sinners, and I am a sinner.

T. But you say Christ died for sinners, where is he now?

R. He died for sinners once, but now he intercedes for them at the right hand of God; and says, "Whosoever cometh unto me, I will

in no wise cast out."

T. When you feel yourself a sinner, what do you do?

R. I and go pray to God to pardon my sins. I tell Him, though I am a little boy, I am a

NEGLECTING SABBATH SCHOOL, ETC. 125

great sinner, and unless he forgives me I can never go to heaven.

T. Can you tell me the passage where Christ speaks of little children?

R. Yes; in the 19th chapter of Matthew and 14th verse he says, "Suffer little children to come unto me;" and I am a little child, so I go to him.

T. Do you think God hears your prayers? R. Yes, I do; for I feel so happy when I pray.

T. Well, Robert, I hope you will continue to pray and endeavour to love God more and more. The more you pray and love God, and endeavour to obey his commands, the more happy you will be in this world, and a far greater degree of bliss you will enjoy in the world to come. May God bless and keep you, is my earnest prayer.

NEGLECTING SABBATH SCHOOL
INSTRUCTIONS.

SABBATH-BREAKING-BAD COMPANY.

ON visiting a jail in a town, a few days since, I was deeply affected, on seeing in one of the dark cells two lads about fifteen years of age-they were put there for stealing. They told me that they had occasionally at

126 NEGLECTING SABBATH SCHOOL, ETC.

tended Sabbath school in Providence, but frequently would absent themselves, and spend the day in wandering about with wicked, unprincipled boys.

Like hundreds of others, they thought they were too old to be bound to go to the Sabbath school, and that they should enjoy themselves much better by spending the day in amusement. But see their mistake. Said they to me, "Sir, if we had paid attention to the instructions of the Sabbath school, we should never have been here!"

Here is a beacon light! I hold it up to warn all Sabbath school scholars never to stay away unless God's providence prevents them, to remember the Sabbath-day to keep it holy;" not to think they have grown too old for the delightful and wholesome, although simple, exercises of the Sabbath school: to shun the company (except when warning them) of swearing, lying, Sabbath-breaking boys, and those disobedient to parents.

"Enter not into the path of the wicked. Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away. For they sleep not except they have done mischief; and their sleep is taken away unless they cause some to fall. For they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence. But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day." Prov. iv. 14-18.

[graphic][merged small]

GOD's word declares that the "Way of transgressors is hard." Here is a poor felon, who has lost his character, and that is an invaluable treasure. He has

lost his liberty: torn from home and friends, and confined in a dreary prison for crimes he has committed. What a

dreadful thing it is to depart from the ways of righteousness, and to cast off the fear of God. A friend is with him, who is doubtless, trying to shew him the folly and wickedness of his conduct. Let us hope that he may convince him of the evil of his doings, and lead him to true repentance; and that he may obtain pardon through Jesus Christ.

Dear Reader, remember, that prisoner was once a respected member of society, loved and esteemed by many. He began his evil course by some apparently trifling act, perhaps, pilfering from his parents. He grew worse and worse, until he became hardened and reckless. He is now suffering for his sins,-yet his case is not hopeless. Pray for all such; and pray for yourselves, that you may not fall into similar snares and miseries. Seek Divine wisdom to guide you, and Divine grace to restrain and preserve you.

« PreviousContinue »