“What are the morals of the children, as a general thing?”
“Of course, where the church members do not perform their duty, their children are neglected; and when they fail to do right we can hardly expect anything better from worldlings and sinners. Lying, cursing, fighting, disobedience and Sabbath-breaking are common sins among the children. The youth drink, gamble and frolic, and some are guilty of heinous crimes. But, thank God,” added Mr. Mason, “there are some noble exceptions both among the children and youth.”
“We must pray God to help us to reform this awful state of morals and religion. We must labor and pray until a great revival is brought about in the Church and among the people,” said the missionary, earnestly.
“If you talk of a revival here they will be down on you, both in and out of the Church,” said the deeply-interested man.
“We will exercise prudence, and call our effort by a more acceptable name; we will call it a protracted prayer-meeting,” added the missionary, smiling.
“That will be equally obnoxious; the professors generally say, ‘we pay the preacher to do the praying for us, and that is enough;’ and the irreligious, of course, have little interest in such things.”
“What do you think they would say to a temperance meeting?” queried the missionary.
“That will bring down upon you all the loafers, tipplers and rumsellers; indeed nearly all the church members ‘take some,’ and they would all unite in opposition to you,” sadly rejoined Mr. Mason.
“All these things must be overcome. And if we are faithful in using the means God has given us, the work will be accomplished. I do not despair,” added the missionary.
“May God help us to do our duty!” said Mr. Mason, as he laid the family Bible on the stand for evening devotion.