Mr. M.—What is the first step.
Mr. R.—To believe.
Mr. M.—Believe what?
Mr. R.—God’s invitation; God’s promise; God’s provision. Let us believe the faithfulness of Him who calls us. Does God intend to mock us, and make game of us? If He did so to one man, it would hush all the harps in heaven.
Mr. M.—Suppose the people do “come,” and that they fall into sin tomorrow?
Mr. R.—Let them come back again. God says we are to forgive till seventy times seven. Do you think the great God will do less than He commands us to do?
Mr. M.—If they truly come, will they have the desire to do the things they used to do before?
Mr. R.—When a man really receives Christ into his heart, he experiences “the expulsive power of a new affection.” The devil may tempt him to sin; but sin has lost its attraction. A man finds out that it does not pay to grieve God’s Holy Spirit.
Mr. M.—What would you advise your converts to do?
Mr. R.—When you were little babes, if you had had no milk, no clothing, and no rest, you would not have lived very long. You are now the result of your fathers’ and mothers’ care. When a man is born in the family of God he has life; but he needs food. “Man doth not live by bread alone.” If you do not feed upon God’s promises you will be of no use in God’s service: it will be well for you if your life does not die out altogether before long. Then you need exercise. If you only take food, and do no work, you will soon suffer from what I may call spiritual apoplexy. When you get hold of a promise, go and tell it to others. The best way for me to get help for myself is by trying to help others. There is one great promise that young disciples should never forget: “He that watereth shall be watered also himself.”