October 23

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.

Notice the gradation: "ungodly," "sinners," "scornful." These terms denote the unbelievers according to the more or less pronounced way in which they manifest their disregard for Christ. Not all unbelievers are alike. There are those who live virtuous lives and have a good reputation among their fellow-men, but are not concerned about their soul's salvation. They are indifferent and careless. These we might call the ungodly. The sinners are those who openly serve sin in one form or another, who do not

regard the principles of right and justice. Others, again, ridicule religion and pour contempt and scorn on all that is sacred to God's children. These are the scornful, men whose consciences are seared.

Now, what should be the Christian's attitude toward these three classes of unbelievers? He should not walk, stand, or sit in their company; on the contrary, He should shun it. He should avoid intercourse with these enemies of God and our Savior. He who associates with such as are spiritually careless will imbibe their carelessness; he who is on friendly terms with lewd and dissolute people takes his life into his hands and does not value his peace with God. No Christian has the right to be seen at public amusement halls and theaters; no Christian can lay aside his modesty so as to tread the floors of a dance-hall. These are the places where souls are entrapped, where Satan, the fiendish fowler, lays his snares. These places have contributed most to immorality in general and to other sins which so frightfully and hideously prevail. Keep aloof from them. You have no promise that God will protect you if you expose yourself to temptation. Keep aloof also from houses of worship where ostensibly God is honored, but the Bible is impeached. Flee the atheist's and infidel's venomous utterances. It is easier to take poison than to get rid of it.

Prayer.

Since Thou, O dearest Jesus, didst so powerfully deliver us from the kingdom of darkness and didst so mercifully receive us into Thy Kingdom of Grace, let us also be and remain blessed citizens of Thy Kingdom of Glory in heaven and heirs of everlasting bliss and joy, in those blessed mansions where we shall justly laud and praise Thee with thankful hearts and tongues. And may we in this life thank Thee for Thy grace and goodness as long as we have our breath. Amen.

Therefore, Jesus, my Salvation, Thou my One, my All, shalt be. Prove my fixed determination, Root out all hypocrisy; Look well if on sin's slippery paths I am hasting And lead me, O Lord, in the way everlasting! This one thing is needful, all others are vain; I count all but lost that I Christ may obtain.