THE YOUNG MAN'S FRIEND

By WALTER SCOTT, London 1885.

Pages 125-127

This book is available for loan from the Ipswich branch of the Christian Library

It is a sad sight, to see men so nobly made, with such a lofty destiny before them, with so many high hopes of future good, pursuing the miserable phantoms of this life, and choosing pleasure and sinful mirth, while heaven and immortality should be the objects of their choice. And I presume they will continue in this course of madness until death calls them away to the retributions of eternity. As it was in the days of Noah, so shall it be in the coming of the Son of man. Men will eat and drink, work and play, be sorrowful and merry until the end come, and the wicked shall be destroyed. And I fear that some will be so attached to their pleasures that they will continue to sport with judgment, until the power of vengeance shall burst upon them.

I know not as I can better close this discourse, than by relating an incident which is said to have occurred while the French army occupied the city of Moscow. Of its truth or falsity, I have no means of knowing. A party of officers and soldiers determined to have a military levee, and for this purpose chose the deserted palace of a Russian nobleman, in the vault of which a large quantity of powder had been deposited. That night the city was set on fire. As the sun went down, they began to assemble. The females "who followed the fortunes of the French forces, were decorated for the occasion. The gayest and noblest of the army were there, and merriment reigned over the crowd. During the dance the fire rapidly approached them ; they saw it coming, but felt no fear. At length the building next to the one which they occupied was on fire. Coming to the windows, they gazed upon the billows of fire which swept upon their fortress, and then returned to their amusement. Again and again they left their pleasure, to watch the progress of the flames. At length the dance ceased, and the necessity of leaving the scene of merriment became apparent to all. They were enveloped in a flood of fire, and gazed on with deep and lawful solemnity. At length the fire communicating to their own building, caused them to prepare for flight, when a brave young officer, named Camot, waved his jeweled glove above his head, and exclaimed, " One dance more, and defiance to the flame." All caught the enthusiasm of the moment, and, " One dance more, and defiance to the flame," burst from the lips of all. The dance commenced, louder and louder grew the sound of music, and faster and faster fell the pattering footsteps of dancing men and women, when suddenly they heard a cry, " The fire has reached the magazine, fly! fly! for life !" One moment they stood, transfixed with horror; they did not know the magazine was there, and ere they recovered from their stupor, the vault exploded, the building was shattered to pieces, and the dancers were hurled into a fearful eternity.

Thus will it be in the final day. Men will be as careless as were those ill-fated revelers. Methinks the hour has come, and I stand upon an eminence from which I behold the vices and amusements of earth. I warn them, and tell them, that in such an hour as they think not, the son of man cometh. With jeering laugh, they ask, "Where is the promise of his coming" I bid them prepare to meet their God. They reply, "Pleasure is our god." I tell them of an awful judgment; a miserable eternity ; and crying "priestcraft," they again engage in the noisy revel. Soon an awful rumbling is heard in the heavens. A thousand voices tell them, that the angels are rolling out the judgment throne. They reply, "One dance more, and defiance to that throne." Suddenly the stars go out, the moon turns to blood, all nature is convulsed, and universal panic seizes the hearts of all men, when, horror struck, I see some Carnot turn. his bloodshot eyes upon the burning world, and waving his jeweled hand above his head, exclaim, " One dance more, and defiance to that flame," and ere that dance is done, the bolt is sped, the magazine of the universe explodes, and the time to dance is gone, GONE FOREVER, FOREVER.

This book is available for loan from the Ipswich branch of the Christian Library

Title page text

THE YOUNG MAN'S FRIEND:

CONTAINING

ADMONITIONS FOR THE ERRING, COUNSEL FOR THE TEMPTED, HOPE FOR THE FALLEN.

DESIGNED FOR

The Young Man, the Husband, and the Father.

I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong. 1 JOHN 2:14.

NEW EDITION.

LONDON:

WALTER SCOTT, 24 WARWICK LANE, PATERNOSTER ROW.

1885.

End of Title page text

1 JOHN 2:14
I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one