“Did the Lord come to send peace on the earth? My way, as you call it, would make division, but division between those who call themselves His and those who are His. It would bring together those that love Him. Company would merge with company that they might look on the Lord together. I don't believe Jesus cares much for what is called the visible Church; but He cares with His very Godhead for those that do as He tells them; they are His Father's friends; they are His elect by whom He will save the world. It is by those who obey, and by their obedience, that He will save those who do not obey, that is, will bring them to obey. It is one by one the world will pass to His side. There is no saving in the lump. If a thousand be converted at once, it is every single lonely man that is converted.” “You would make a slow process of it!” “If slow, yet faster than any other. All God's processes are slow. How many years has the world existed, do you imagine, sir?” “I don't know. Geologists say hundreds and hundreds of thousands.” “And how many is it since Christ came?” “Toward two thousand.” “Then we are but in the morning of Christianity! There is plenty of time. The day is before us.” “Dangerous doctrine for the sinner!” “Why? Time is plentiful for his misery, if he will not repent; plentiful for the mercy of God that would lead him to repentance. There is plenty of time for labor and hope; none for indifference and delay. God _will_ have his creatures good. They can not escape Him.” “Then a man may put off repentance as long as he pleases!” “Certainly he may--at least as long as he can--but it is a fearful thing to try issues with God.” “I can hardly say I understand you.” “Mr. Crawford, you have questioned me in the way of kindly anxiety and reproof; that has given me the right to question you. Tell me, do you admit we are bound to do what our Lord requires?” “Of course. How could any Christian man do otherwise?” “Yet a man may say: 'Lord, Lord,' and be cast out! It is one thing to say we are bound to do what the Lord tells us, and another to do what He tells us! He says: 'Seek ye _first_ the kingdom of God and His righteousness:' Mr. Crawford, are you seeking the kingdom of God _first_, or are you seeking money first?” “We are sent into the world to make our living.” “Sent into the world, we have to seek our living; we are not sent into the world to seek our living, but to seek the kingdom and righteousness of God. And to seek a living is very different from seeking a fortune!” “If you, Mr. Ingram, had a little wholesome ambition, you would be less given to judging your neighbors.”