Why should cruel daggers now
pierce your heart? What you have done or expect to do is surely pleasing
to your God. If you belong to the church, you are doubly safe. Let
time change, or worlds fall, the church will stand forever. If you
continue faithful here, you will have a glorious end; only be not
influenced by the contemptible advocates of the Narrow Way, who show
their vanity by their professions of superior sanctity. Be satisfied
with the good, old, staid principles of this church, and be not swept
away by every wind of doctrine that is blasting the earth with its
sulphurous breath. Rejoice in your pilgrimage and let conviction no
longer sadden your life."
After continuing at some length in this strain, the minister announced
that a quartette would render an appropriate selection just received
from the mountain-tops of Apathy.
[Illustration: The Devil's Auction Here many church members, and others,
pay their all for a few baubles of worldly pleasure.] The congregation
seemed to be greatly pleased as these words were sung with a show of
sentiment:
"Come, ye that struggle
With thoughts of conviction;
Continue no longer
Such burdens to bear.
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