Backsliding, generally first begins with neglect of private prayer.

Experience supplies painful proof that traditions once called into being are first called useful, then they become necessary. At last they are too often made idols, and all must bow down to them or be punished.

There must not only be good preaching, but good hearing.

It is not always those who have the most eminent gifts who are the most successful laborers for God. It is generally those who keep up closest communion with Christ and are most constant in prayer.

Unity without the gospel is a worthless unity; it is the very unity of hell.

A man may just as soon read the Scripture without eyes, as understand the spirit of it without grace.

A deep sense of sin, a humble willingness to be saved in God's way, a teachable readiness to give up our own prejudices when a more excellent way is shown, these are the principal things. These things the two disciples possessed, and therefore our Lord "went with them" and guided them into all truth.