August 16

Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly nor standeth in the way of sinners nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. Psalms 1:1.

Avoid the company of the children of this world. Avoid the many snares and pitfalls that surround you daily. Avoid the haunts of the ungodly, where there is to be found cursing, corrupt speech, gambling, and drinking. Avoid dances. "Have you ever seen two persons doing the modern waltz? Have you ever noted their positions? Why, fifty years ago, if a young man had tried to dance that way, he would have been shot. Society would have shunned him. The doors of all good homes would have been locked against him." These are the words of an aged dancing-master. He is disgusted with the modern dance. And what are we Christians to say about the immoral and immodest dances now in vogue? And what of the theater and the movies? Says the owner of a theater: "Many dramas are morbid and unclean, many of the melodramas personated each year are schools of crime; they actually make criminals." The bill-boards lining the streets and avenues of our cities are full of immoral, spectacular, nude figures, demoralizing scenery, presented on the stages of all grades, from the highest to the lowest. If modesty must avert its gaze from them, what must be the final consequences of sitting and gazing for hours on the living presentation, which, no doubt, is worse?

How many an earnest Christian had escaped the most cunning temptations of the devil, and a coarse, bungled attempt took him unawares and brought about his fall. He got into bad company; his faith was shaken; his conviction was not deeply rooted; he was not prepared for the evil hour. "And lead us not into temptation," — in this prayer we are reminded of our own weakness; we are warned against bringing on temptations, against going where they will confront us directly. We have the word of God: "Enter not into the path of the wicked and go not in the way of evil men. Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away." "Keep thy heart with all diligence." Proverbs 4:14. 15. 23. Bad company must be avoided if you would save your soul.

Prayer.

Lord God, Holy Spirit, incline the heart of every wayward child to that which is good, renew his mind, lead his feet into the path of true godliness again, and turn him, so that he may hence-

forth walk the way of Thy commandments to do them. Grant him grace to forsake the company of the wicked and, like the prodigal son, to long to come back and say: I have sinned against Thee, O Father in heaven, and am not worthy to be called Thy son. Then there will be joy in heaven, among the angels of God, over this sinner who has returned to God. And then he will also with all his powers praise and extol God for His mercy in time and eternity. Amen.

Lord Jesus, unto Thee I live; Lord Jesus, unto Thee I die; Lord Jesus, Thine I am Living or dying. Amen.