Consent Thou Not

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MANY years ago, a quick, intelligent little boy might be often seen busily engaged with the Book of Books, the Bible, searching out answers to questions given in the Sunday school, of which he was one of the brightest scholars, often gaining the first prize. After school was over he would talk to his little sister of Jesus, and what a wonderful Saviour He is, and teach her to pray to Him.
Sad to relate, there lived next door to Edward, for this was his name, a little boy who did not care for these things. Edward’s mother often cautioned her little son not to make a companion of Willie, but the temptation was too great for him, and I am afraid he did not ask the Lord to help him to keep out of Willie’s way, for he would run off, when his mother was busy with her other little ones, “just for a few minutes.”
After a while he stayed longer. At last he began to give up Sunday school to go for a walk with his friend, and in the course of a few years you would not have known Edward as the boy who once went to school.
He is now a grey-headed man, and seems to have forgotten God, and to have no desire toward Him; his dear mother and sister still pray for him. It is not so easy for him to give up his many evil companions now, as it would have been to give up one at first.
“My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.” Prov. 1:1010My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not. (Proverbs 1:10).
“Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men. Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away.” Prov. 4:14, 1514Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men. 15Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away. (Proverbs 4:14‑15).
ML 04/09/1922