102 ROBERT DAWSON.

Tom was in bed and fast asleep. I, too, retired to’
bed, but not to test. “ Young man, pause!” rang’ in
my ear and roused me from even an unquiet slumber
The reflection which most amazed and alarmed me was
this: “When I worked at the printing in the morning,
how badly I felt! But then I was determined to go to
church. I was sincere in my determination; but how
quickly was I led away,—persuaded to go for a drive!
Ina inineltes almost, I was in the sleigh — before I
thought. Perhaps I should do just so again. How
could I have done it when I knew better, and not ten
minutes before resolved better? No: I do not know
what there is to stop me from doing just so again, and
then I shall be going down, down! as the preacher said.
Father is not here—nobody.is here to keep me back.
What shall I do?” and I tossed wearily on my pillow.

Oh that boys would believe that this is but the natural
course of things! If we deliberately do wrong once,
every following step in that deceitful path is easier than
the preceding, for sin blinds the soul to danger. Then

seeking to stop the voice of conscience by some good