I have temptations which do
not come to you; you have trials from which I am free. I have heard
many life-stories like yours when I have been holding a Mission, and
therefore I know far more of your special temptations than you imagine.
One of these special dangers is _bad company_. You all have your
holidays, and your "days out," and you naturally look forward to them
very eagerly. But, my sisters, stay, and ask yourselves the
question--How do I spend my holidays? If the day be Sunday, do you
keep God's Commandment, and observe the Sabbath Day to keep it holy?
If not, how can you expect to be kept from evil? You promised in your
Baptism and your Confirmation to keep all God's Will and Commandments,
and one of these is, "Remember that thou keep holy the Sabbath Day."
Take care what company you keep. If you cannot say, "I am a companion
of all such as love the Lord," be sure your company is of the wrong
sort. I have known many a one who has lost name, fame, character, all
that a woman holds most dear, and who has brought an honest name to
disgrace, and broken a mother's heart, by mixing with bad company. The
proverb says that a person is known by his friends, by the company he
keeps. You cannot touch fire and escape burning, and you cannot keep
company with those who laugh at religion, who make a mock at sin, who
never pray, who talk immodestly, and are disobedient to the wishes of
parent or employer, without falling into sin yourselves.

If any of you who hear me are entangled with such company, make up your
mind now, and give it up. Be brave enough to do what is right. Ask
God to make you brave. And one word more, _help each other_ to do what
is right. I say to you who want to go in the right way, keep each
other company. None of us can stand alone, we need help. You have
probably heard the story of the blind man and the lame man who were
called to journey to a distant place. What was to be done? The blind
man could not see, the lame man could not walk; so they helped each
other: the blind man carried the lame man, who directed him in the
right way. Some of you have stronger wills and characters than others,
let the strong help the weak. But _how_ can you best help each other?
Soldiers in battle assist each other by closing their ranks, and
keeping together. There is the secret of strength, _keep together_.
Let all the members of your society march together. Try to set each a
good example, a _stron