_Sermon._

"These words are a part of our Lord's farewell counsel to his little
band of chosen disciples. This was just before his betrayal into the
hands of his murderers. He spoke to them about this sinful world. He
told them how the people of the world would treat them, and what they
would think of the glorious Gospel which they were soon to proclaim.
'In the world,' said he to them, 'ye shall have tribulation; but in
me, ye shall have peace.' The text does not teach that men who are
ignorant of God's Word are sinless; neither does it teach that the
doctrine which our blessed Savior taught tends to make men sinners.
Oh, no! But this is what it means: That God is so merciful and
gracious that until men are instructed and warned of their danger, he
does not hold them severely accountable. But when the light of truth
is shed around them, and the way of life and salvation pointed out to
them, and they then shut their eyes to the light and close their
hearts to knowledge, he holds them accountable, and deals with them as
sinners.

"I feel now to address a few words to the dear young people who are
assembled here. The Lord bless you in the dew of your youth, while
your hearts are yet tender; before age and sin have made you hard,
give your hearts to God. This you can do by loving our Lord Jesus
Christ, who laid down his life for you. When you love him with the
heart, you believe on him with the heart; and when you believe on him
with the heart, you have a desire in your heart to obey him by doing
his commandments. You will purify your souls by obeying the truth.
'Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth.' 'Seek the Lord