SUNDAY, August 31.  Meeting at Josiah Simon’s.  After preaching have a church council.  Brother Charles Burke is forwarded to baptize; and Brother Josiah Simon is elected to the Word.  Brother John Skidmore is elected to the deaconship, Stay all night at Brother Burke’s.

MONDAY, September 1.  Meeting at Levi Wilmot’s.  Speak from Matt. 7:21.  As I have time this afternoon will outline my discourse for future reference.

The Editor gives these outlines in the best shape he can put them as follows: 

    TEXT.—­“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter
    the kingdom; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in
    heaven.”

This passage of Scripture means a great deal.  It draws a sharp line between the false and the true in religious professions; between empty formality on the one hand, and loving obedience on the other.  It is a very easy thing, and requires no previous preparation of heart by self-examination, for very wicked and thoughtless people to call upon the Lord in times of great danger, or in seasons of distress.  Some years ago a very thoughtless and irreligious family near my home lived on the bank of a certain stream.  Suddenly, after a great rain, their house was surrounded by a flood of water that threatened its destruction.  They knew not what to do; and in their fright and consternation they began to call on the Lord for help.  He may have heard them, for the house did not go.  When the flood had passed away, and they felt that they were again secure, they had no further need of the Lord, and continued to live just as they had lived before.

Often have I heard of wicked people, when thrown prostrate upon beds of affliction, calling upon the Lord, and even promising that if he would raise them up again they would do better.  But how often does it turn out that such promises are either wantonly disregarded or thoughtlessly broken!  But why is this so?  What is the cause?  I will tell you.  Such prayers and promises do not proceed from a right motive, and they do not aim at a right end.  Self is the beginning and the end of all such prayers and promises.  And when self is again made to feel easy by escape from danger, or recovery from sickness, there is an end of prayer, and promises are forgotten.  But such as I have named are not the only class included in our Lord’s meaning.  If we read carefully we may see that some who desire to make a fair show in the flesh love to stand on the corners of the streets that they may be heard calling on the Lord, making long prayers, that they may be seen of men.  Of such our Lord says:  “Verily, they have their reward.”  Here again the love of self and the world is the beginning and the end.