My Dear Kitty,
Yelling, July 31, 1782.
You have given me much pleasure in writing so full an account of Mr. Riland's sermon: you must have attended closely. Strive to be as attentive under every sermon. Avoid, with all of your might, a trifling spirit under preaching, and in your secret prayer. Great is the gain which is sure to follow from being quite in earnest, and laboring against sloth and laziness.
On the contrary, no benefit is received from making many prayers in a spirit of indifference. No benefit from hearing sermons or reading God's most holy Word unless our heart is engaged. His Spirit is grieved; our hearts are hardened; we bring religion into contempt, and not one evil temper is ever conquered.
Fix it always in your mind, that you are to answer the end for which you are born: to follow His example and be made like Him.
[Henry Venn]
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