September 24

Woe to them that are at ease in Zion.—Amos 6:1.

DO I practically undervalue the means of grace, and so fail to live up to my privileges and obligations? Do I allow the things of time to outweigh the things of eternity? Do the pleasures of the world so allure, or the business of the world so engross, that I am neglecting the great duties of religion? Do I delude myself with the idea that the future will bring all needed opportunities for renewed fidelity or for repentance, and so rest satisfied in present shortcoming or unfaithfulness?

Beware of little concessions, little acquiescences, little indulgences, little conformities to the world. If vital religion is ever driven out of the soul, it will be as the Canaanites were driven out before the Israelites—by little and little.—H. MELVILL.

With loss of zeal and earnestness in religion, there is loss of character, loss of influence, loss of comfort, loss of usefulness, and so long as any remain in this state, loss of a well-grounded hope of heaven.—BUCK.

God is earnest; kneel and pray,

Ere thy season pass away;

Ere he sets the judgment throne;

Ere the day of grace be done.

Back from every wandering come,

To thy Father's heart and home;

Now he waits to hear thy cry;

Turn, and to his bosom fly!