In other words, he knew what you and I know very well, that it is never safe to go in the same boat with the wicked.  But there are various applications of that idea.  We too often forget it, and are not as wise as Jehoshaphat was when he refused to allow his men to be in companionship in the same boat with the wicked men of Ahaziah.

The principle I stated is appropriate to the formation, in the first place, of all domestic alliances.  I have often known women who married men for the purpose of reforming them from dissipated habits.  I never knew one successful in the undertaking.  Instead of the woman lifting the man up, the man drags her down.  This is inevitably the case.  The greatest risk that one ever undertakes is attempting the voyage of life in a boat in which the wicked sail; this remark being most appropriate to the young persons who are in my presence.  It is never safe to sail with the sons of Ahaziah.  The aged men around me will bear out the statement that I have made.  There is no exception to it.

The principle is just as true in regard to all business alliances.  I know it is often the case that men have not the choice of their worldly associations, but there are instances where they may make their choice, and in that case I wish them to understand that it is never safe to go in the same boat with the vicious.  No man can afford to stand in associations where Christ is maligned and scoffed at, or the things of eternity caricatured.  Instead of your Christianizing them, they will heathenize you.  While you propose to lift them up, they will drag you down.  It is a sad thing when a man is obliged to stand in a business circle where men are deriding the religion of the Lord Jesus Christ.  For instance, rather than to be associated in business circles with Frothinghamite infidelity, give me a first-class Mohammedan, or an unconverted Chinese, or an unmixed Hottentot.  There is no danger that they will draw me down to their religion.

If, therefore, you have a choice when you go out in the world as to whether you will be associated in business circles with men who love God, or those who are hostile to the Christian religion, you might better sacrifice some of your financial interests and go among the people of God than risk the interests of your immortal soul.

Jehoshaphat knew it was unsafe for his men to go in one boat with the men of Ahaziah, and you cannot afford to have business associations with those who despise God, and heed not His commandments.  I admit the fact that a great many men are forced into associations they despise, and there are business circles in which we are compelled to go which we do not like, but if you have a choice, see that you make an intelligent and safe one.

This principle is just as true in regard to social connections.  Let no young man or woman go in a social circle where the influences are vicious or hostile to the Christian religion.  You will begin by reproving their faults, and end by copying them.  Sin is contagious.  You go among those who are profane, and you will be profane.  You go among those who use impure language, and you will use impure language.  Go among those who are given to strong drink, and you will inevitably become an inebriate.  There is no exception to the rule.  A man is no better than the company he continually keeps.