On the Influence of Character on Destiny

You are immortal and accountable beings. Believe it, you cannot too soon enter upon the one business of life, the preparation to meet the Living God: and that every seductive companion who would blind your eyes to this awful fact, is but the active minister of Satan, in the work of deceiving souls. Every day gives its complexion to the day that follows it—every year to the succeeding year—every stage of life to that which follows it. Life itself is often wholly determined by youth, and life determines eternity. If this be so, the feelings, the resolves of this week, this day, this hour, may yet make themselves felt through endless ages; the firm purpose to learn the faith and love of a Christian, that rises in any one heart here, at this instant, may be the germ of heavenly and immortal glory.