education would have been committed, are prevented; and good habits are, for a time at least, induced. And though afterwards the force of temptation may prevail to draw them aside from the good way, yet in a season of trouble they may be brought to reflection, and the seed long buried in the earth may spring up, and bring forth fruit to their eternal welfare. The prodigal son is no uncommon character. The advantages of a father's house may be forgotten for a season ; but in a day of adversity may be remembered, and be realized to an extent greater perhaps in proportion as they were before neglected and despised.]
That this subject may be more deeply impressed on our minds, let us pursue it,
1. In a way of inquiry — [Are we, Brethren, " walking in the steps of our father Abraham?" Can God say respecting each of us, "I know him :" ' I know his principle : he regards all that he possesses, his wisdom, his power, his wealth, his influence altogether, as a talent committed to him by me, to be improved for the good of others, and the glory of my name. I know his inclination : he has a zeal for my honour, and longs to be an instrument of exalting and magnifying my name : he has also a love to his fellow-creatures, and desires to benefit them in every possible way to the utmost of his power. I know his practice too: he calls his family together from day to day, to unite in worshipping and serving me. He catechises his children ; he instructs his servants ; he labours steadily and affectionately to guide them all into the way of peace. His heart is set upon these things : he enters into them as one who feels his responsibility, and has no wish but to approve himself to me, and to give up a good account of his steward- ship at last.'
Say, Brethren, whether the heart-searching God can testify these things respecting you ? Must he not rather, respecting many of you say, " I know him," that he cares no more for the souls committed to him than he does for his flocks and herds, or for the cattle which are employed in his service ? If only they are well, and subserve his interest, and do his work, it is all he is concerned about. Even his very children are not regarded by him as immortal beings : if they do but get forward in their respective callings, and prosper in relation to the present world, he is satisfied, and leaves all the rest to " time and chance." Alas ! alas ! what an account will such persons have to give at the judgment-seat of Christ, when the Lord Jesus shall say to them, ' Is this the way in which you dealt with the souls committed to you, the souls which I purchased with my own blood?' Beloved brethren, if ye are
29.] Abraham's care of his family. 149
so unlike to Abraham in this world, do you think that you can be numbered amongst his children in the world to come ? O judge yourselves, that ye may not be judged of the Lord in that great and fearful day.]
2. In a way of reproof —
[Surely this subject administers a severe reproof not only to those who never employ their influence at all for God, but those also who exert it only in a tame and timid ineffectual way.
Think, ye who have children, servants, apprentices, have ye no responsibility on their account ? Has not God constituted yon watchmen to give them warning of their subtle enemy, and to shew them how they are to escape from his assaults ? And, if they perish through your neglect, shall not their blood be required at your hands ? Did God intrust them to you for your comfort and advancement only, and not at all for their benefit ? And the many Sabbaths which he has given you to be improved for them, shall not a fearful account be given of them also ? Is it pleasing to Him, think you, that you suffer the ordinances of divine worship to be neglected by them, and the Sabbaths to be wasted in idle vanities, instead of being employed by them and you for their welfare ?