The experiment has been tried
times without number, from the beginning in Eden down to our own day, by
communities and by individuals, but invariably with the same result. The
way of transgressors is hard, however it may seem to them who are
entering upon it a path of primrose dalliance. And surely "whosoever is
deceived thereby is not wise."
Finally, how needful is it to pray--"Lead us not into temptation."
Snares lie all around us, whether old or young, and it is vain to seek
an entire escape from their intrusion. The lad we are considering, had
not gone out of his way to meet the temptation by which he fell. On the
contrary, he was doing his duty, he was just where he ought to have
been. Yet there the adversary found him, and there he finds every man.
The very fact that one is in a lawful place and condition is apt to
throw him off his guard. There is but one safeguard under grace, and
that is habitual watchfulness. Without this the strongest may fall--with
it, the feeblest may stand firm. O for such a deep and abiding
conviction of the keenness of temptation and the dreadful evil of sin as
to lead all to cry mightily unto God, and at the same time be strenuous
in effort themselves--to pray and also to watch.
* * * * *
Original.
MEMOIR OF MRS. VAN LENNEP.
The following review, written by Mrs. D.E. Sykes, of the Memoir of Mrs.
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