Suppose a criminal in court, who had violated the law of his State, should make his plea that he had generally obeyed the laws. He had only stolen his neighbor's goods occasionally, and had led an honest life for the most part; would that relieve justice from executing the penalty? Could a just judge and jury bring in a verdict "not guilty"? You can see the absurdity of the case, and yet men of intelligence in all worldly affairs are not wise in matters pertaining to their eternal salvation. They are found seeking to climb up some other way than God has provided, trying to make terms with the infinite One. Many poor souls are leaning on such a broken reed, building on such an insecure foundation, laying hold on ropes of sand, and at last they will awaken to realize that they are lost, lost!

Forestil dig en kriminel, der havde overtrådt statens love, som ville påberåbe sig, at han i hovedsagen havde været en lovlydig borger. Han havde kun stjålet sin nabos gods en gang imellem og havde for det meste levet et ærligt liv. Ville det lede retfærdigheden til ikke at udføre straffen. Kunne en retfærdig jury og dommer afsige kendelsen "ikke skyldig"? Du kan se det absurde i denne sag, og alligevel er mennesker, der er dygtige i verdslige affærer, ikke vise, når det gælder deres evige frelse. De forsøger at klatre op en anden vej, end den Gud har tilvejebragt, forsøger at forhandle med den evige. Mangen en stakkels sjæl støtter sig til et sådant knækket rør og bygger på en sådan usikker grundvold, idet de holder fast i reb af sand, og til sidst vil de vågne op og forstå, at de er fortabte, fortabte!