Sleeping by Waterfalls

“Things to which we are tcsed do not work upoJi us; we aj-e not much moved with thein. Custom maketh men sleep quietly by the falls of great waters, where much 7ioise is; and some parts of the body grow callous, brawny, dry, and dead, as the labourer’s hand and the travellers heel, by much use So doth the conscience gradually lose its force. At first, like a cataract, its great roar astounds the soul, and effectually prevents its slumbers of carnal security; but by-and-by its noise is scarcely heard, and men are even lulled to sleep by its sound. Now, this is to be dreaded exceedingly, for it is the forerunner of doom. No more warnings are heard, because sentence has gone forth, and the man’s destruction is sealed.

Even on a smaller scale, it is a serious thing to have conscience lose its tenderness. Christian men, by association with the world, and by a want of thorough consideration, may come to do with impunity things which would shock them if their consciences were in a healthy state. It is dangerous for a steam-engine when the tell-tale does not act; and no one knows what mischief may come through the failure of the soul’s indicator. We wish to know what is evil that we may avoid it; and it is a serious calamity when the warning faculty has become dulled and silent through continuance in sin. Better far to live in perpetual anxiety to be right, than to remain at ease while doing wrong.

Lord, make my conscience tender as the apple of my eye. Awaken it, and keep it awake.