Ishmael, in Isaac's a profane Esau, and in Jacob's many a sin- ful character. But still, if you fail in many instances, and succeed in only one, will not one soul repay you for all your
trouble ? The testimony of your own conscience too,
confirmed by the witness of God's Spirit— is this no recompence ? Will not this amply repay every effort you can make, even though you should never succeed in one single instance 1 Re- flect too on the testimony which God himself will give you in the last day : " I know him :" I know how he persevered under the most discouraging circumstances : I know the battles he fought for me : I know the contempt he endured for me : but he was determined to persevere : and " he was faithful unto death : and therefore I award to him a crown of life." Say, Brethren, is there not enough in such a prospect as this to carry you forward, though your difficulties were ten thousand times greater than they are ? Say not, ' I am not able to con- duct family worship, and to instruct my family.' If this be the case, as doubtless in many instances it is, are there not helps sufficient to be obtained from books of instruction and from forms of prayer ? Do your best ; and beg of God to bless your endeavours : and you shall not labour in vain nor run in vain : for " out of the mouth of babes and sucklings God will ordain strength, and perfect praise."]