Neglecting duty.

CHAPTER IV.

CONSEQUENCES OF NEGLECTING DUTY.

"If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them."

I HAVE now, in the several chapters which the reader has already had the opportunity of perusing, endeavored clearly to explain the first steps to be taken in Christian duty, and the principles and feelings by which they ought to be guided, and I think that all who have read these pages must have understood clearly and distinctly what they ought to do. Take for example the subject of the first chapter-Confession. You cannot read or even think upon that subject for half an hour, without seeing plainly that you have disobeyed God again and again, and that you have, by thus doing what you know to be wrong, destroyed your peace of mind and displeased your Maker This no one can deny. There is a vast variety of religious opinion and religious controversy in the world, but I believe no sect, believing the existence of the Deity, was ever heard of, which maintained that man does not do wrong, that he ought not to acknowledge his sins to God.

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But when you saw clearly that you had done wrong, and destroyed your peace, did you go and seek this reconciliation? How many probably read that chapter, and distinctly understood what duty it urged upon them, and saw the reasonableness of that duty, and yet shut the book and laid away, without ever intending at all to set resolutely about doing it. To understand clearly what duty is, and to have a disposition to do it, are very different things.

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I have during the preceding chapters been explaining what the duty of my readers is. I have said scarcely any thing to persuade you to do it, and as I have gone on from page to page, and endeavored so to explain and illustrate the principles of piety that every one could clearly understand, the melancholy reflection has often forced itself

Injury which this book will do.

The disobedient child.

upon me, "How many now will read or hear read these things, and yet entirely neglect to do any thing I describe." "Melancholy reflection!" you will say, perhaps, "why do you call it a melancholy reflection? If some are induced to do their duty in consequence of your explanations, you may rejoice in the good which is done, and not think at all of those who disregarded what you say. The book will certainly do them no harm."

Will do them no harm? I wish that could be true. But it is not. The religious teacher cannot console himself with the thought that when his efforts do no good, they will do no harm. For he must, if he speaks distinctly, and brings fairly forward a subject of duty, cause every one of his readers to decide for it or against it; and when a person decides against duty, is he not injured? Is not good principle defeated or weakened, and his heart hardened against a future appeal?

The chapter on Confession of Sin, for example, has been undoubtedly read by multitudes who shut the book and laid it aside, without at all attempting to perform the duty there pointed out. The duty was plainly brought before them. They could not, and probably would not, deny its obligation. But instead of going accordingly to God, and seeking peace and reconciliation to him by a free confession of guilt,—they laid the book away, and after a very short time, all the serious thoughts it suggested vanished from their minds, and they returned as before to their sins. Now this is deciding once more, distinctly against God.

For to decide against God it is not necessary to use the actual language of disobedience. Suppose that a father sister, who is going

sends a child to call back his little away contrary to the parent's wishes. The boy runs and overtakes her, and delivers his message. The child stops a moment, and listens to the command that she should return immediately to her home. She hesitates-thinks of her father and of her duty to obey him, and then looks over the green fields through which she was walking, and longs

The message disregarded.

The Christian message.

to enjoy the forbidden pleasure. There is a momentary struggle in her heart, and then she turns away and walks boldly and carelessly on. The messenger returns slowly and sadly home.

But why does he return sadly? He has done his duty in delivering the message. Why should he be sad? He is sad to think of the double guilt which his sister has incurred. He thinks that the occasion which his coming up to her presented, might have been the means of her return and of her forgiveness, but that it was the means of confirming her in disobedience, and of hardening her heart against the claims of her father.

It is just so with the messages which a Christian teacher brings to those who listen to his words. If they do not listen to obey, they listen to reject and disobey, and every refusal to do duty hardens the heart in sin. There can be no question, therefore, that such a book as this must, in many cases, be the innocent means of fixing human souls in their sins, as the Gospel itself, while it is a savor of life unto life to some, to others it is a savor of death unto death.

Reader, is your name on the sad catalogue of those who read religious books and listen to religious instruction merely to bring the question of duty again and again before your minds, only to decide that you will not do it? If it is, read and consider attentively the narrative to which the remainder of this chapter is devoted. It has never before been published. I providentially met with it in manuscript while writing these chapters, and it teaches so forcibly the lesson that ought now to be impressed upon my readers, that I requested of the clergyman who wrote it, permission to insert it here. The circumstances are of recent occurrence, and the reader may rely upon the strict truth and faithfulness of the description.

The reader will observe, however, that there are no remarkable incidents in this case. There are no peculiar circumstances of any kind to give interest to the narrative

Increasing interest.

Unwilling to yield to God.

ing your Heavenly Father. And he has heard you say this evening, that you do not feel that you have done wrong, and he sees your heart and knows how unfeeling it is. Now, Louisa, you must be lost, unless you repent of your sins and ask humbly and earnestly for forgiveness. And why will you not? You know that Christ has died to atone for sin, and that God will forgive you for his Son's sake, if you are penitent."

To this Louisa made no reply. She did not seem displeased, neither did her feelings appear subdued.

After addressing a few general remarks to my young.. friends, we kneeled in prayer, and the interview closed. Another meeting was appointed on the same evening of the succeeding week. Louisa again made her appearance with the same young ladies and a few others. She appeared much more deeply impressed. Her coldness and reserve had given place to a frank expression of interest and exhibition of feeling.

Well, Louisa," said I, as in turn I commenced conversing with her, "I was almost afraid I should not see you here this evening."

I feel, sir," said she, "that it is time for me to attend to my immortal soul. I have neglected it too long." "Do you feel that you are a sinner, Louisa?”

"Yes, sir, I do."

"Do you think, Louisa, you have any claim upon God to forgive you?"

No, sir. It would be just in God to leave me to perish. I think I want to repent, but I cannot. I want to love God, but do not know how I can."

"Do you remember, Louisa, that Christ has said, 'Whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple?':

"Yes, sir."

"Well, Louisa, now count the cost; are you ready to give up all for Christ? Are you ready to turn from your gay companions, and lay aside your frivolous pleasures,

The message disregarded.

The Christian message.

to enjoy the forbidden pleasure. There is a momentary struggle in her heart, and then she turns away and walks boldly and carelessly on. The messenger returns slowly and sadly home.

But why does he return sadly? He has done his duty in delivering the message. Why should he be sad? He is sad to think of the double guilt which his sister has incurred. He thinks that the occasion which his coming up to her presented, might have been the means of her return and of her forgiveness, but that it was the means of confirming her in disobedience, and of hardening her heart against the claims of her father.

It is just so with the messages which a Christian teacher brings to those who listen to his words. If they do not listen to obey, they listen to reject and disobey, and every refusal to do duty hardens the heart in sin. There can be no question, therefore, that such a book as this must, in many cases, be the innocent means of fixing human souls in their sins, as the Gospel itself, while it is a savor of life unto life to some, to others it is a savor of death unto death.

Reader, is your name on the sad catalogue of those who read religious books and listen to religious instruction merely to bring the question of duty again and again before your minds, only to decide that you will not do it? If it is, read and consider attentively the narrative to which the remainder of this chapter is devoted. It has never before been published. I providentially met with it in manuscript while writing these chapters, and it teaches so forcibly the lesson that ought now to be impressed upon my readers, that I requested of the clergyman who wrote it, permission to insert it here. The circumstances are of recent occurrence, and the reader may rely upon the strict truth and faithfulness of the description.

The reader will observe, however, that there are no remarkable incidents in this case. There are no peculiar circumstances of any kind to give interest to the narrative