they in the keeping of a feeble or fickle
Saviour? isn't His grace as strong as sin? is not Jesus always mightier
than the devil? and have not millions of the greatest sinners who have
found the Lord, stood firm against the snares of the world, and all the
devices of the wicked one? "He won't stand," is an old lie, which
every young believer must set at defiance. "Stand fast, therefore, in
the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled
again with the yoke of bondage."

"Weant I stand," said Abe, "then I'll fall, but it shall be at the feet
of Jesus." Ah, that is the best way to stand; fall at the feet of
Jesus. It may seem a paradox in terms, but it is not in truth; it is
on the Apostolic principle, "When I'm weak, then am I strong." So poor
Abe laid himself down in order that he might not fall, and this is a
plan which others might try in times of spiritual peril, and so escape
the danger of backsliding.

Among others who canvassed the subject of his conversion were his old
companions. One had gone out from among them that they were sorry to
lose; he was such a merry fellow; his face was always sunny; his
comical sayings had filled the public-house with roars of laughter many
a time; he could sing a song better than any of them, and he was always
ready; he was open-handed with his money whenever he had any; and
indeed, he possessed most of the qualities which make a man a favourite
among boon companions. His going out left a blank which was more felt
than seen; a vacant seat in a public-house is soon filled; so if Abe
was not there to occupy his own place someone else was; but no matter
who of his old associates were present, everyone felt Abe was absent,
and couldn't help showing it in some way.

They had all observed that he had not been exactly himself lately; "a
little down in the mouth," and very quiet at times; but never divining
the reason, they had put it down to the wrong cause, or thought very
little about it; and then Abe had so often roused himself out of these
moods of mental abstraction by taking "another glass," and having
another song, that he had kept his companions completely ignorant of
the work which was going on in his mind. So now it burst upon them
like a gun-shot; they were amazed; but the devil seldom deserts his
victims at a time like that; it would not be safe, he might lose some
more of them; he comes to their help and counsels them as to their
conduct. "We