Page:Saturday night.pdf/12

 night came? So our blessed Lord says, "No man can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will hold to the one and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and Mammon." (Matt. vi. 24.) Now I love my divine Master, and never think I can do enough for him. I love his service also; it is "perfect freedom."

Wm. Well I think I should like to spend a Sunday with you, but I can't to-morrow; the party is all made up except you; and as you won't go, we must either get somebody else, or go as we are.

Rob. My dear fellow, let me persuade you not; you seem to be somewhat convinced of the evil of Sabbath-breaking, and I am sure you will not be happy. Your conscience has often warned and checked you: and you will be sinning against light, and against this friendly caution. What, if God should take you away with a stroke, you have no security against it, and especially in the way of disobedience; for, "he that being often reproved, and hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy." (Prov. xxix. 1.)

Wm. Why you seem to have all the argument on your side. Well, if I thought they would not laugh and call me a Methodist, I would give it up, and go along with you.

Rob. Laugh at you, and call you a Methodist! Why let them laugh, and let them call. So the gay pleasure-takers might have laughed at Noah while he was preparing the ark; but the flood came, and drowned them all, and laughter was turned into bitter crying when they found themselves shut out. This might