It is quite likely that the modern contrivances for making Sunday-schools amusing have given them a distate for the more solemn services of the sanctuary. If so, the amusement is a sin. The schools should feed the church. Children ought to be led by one into the other, exposed to the preaching of the gospel, taught the ways of God's house, and brought up under its influence, with all its hallowed and elevating influences.
Samuel I. PrimeIt is not the way to convert a sinner to knock him down first and then reason with him.
Samuel I. PrimeIf you feel sincerely sorry on account of your sins, and believe that Christ is able and willing to forgive you, the work is done. You may trust with all the confidence of a child who confesses his fault, and casts himself into his father's arms. This is faith; a simple trust in the power and willingness of the Father to forgive, for the sake of what Christ the Son has done.
Samuel I. PrimeHappy are they who freely mingle prayer and toil till God responds to the one and rewards the other.
Samuel I. PrimeStaying where you now are, you must perish; coming to Christ, you can but perish; coming to Christ, no one ever did perish; while you sit still and starve, there is bread enough and to spare in your Father's house. Will you return?
Samuel I. PrimePatience and perseverance are never more thoroughly Christian graces than when features of prayer.
Samuel I. PrimeRecreation is not the highest kind of enjoyment, but in its time and place is quite as proper as prayer.
Samuel I. PrimeRelying on the atonement which Christ has made, and desiring to be saved in no other way, I commit myself into Thy hands, O God, my Father! Take me, and do with me as Thou seest to be for Thy glory. I consecrate myself forever to Thy service, and trust for acceptance in the merits of Thy Son.
Samuel I. Prime