“We must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.”
— Acts 14:22
There are many ways of promoting Christian wakefulness. Among the rest, let me strongly advise Christians to converse together concerning the ways of the Lord. Christian and Hopeful, as they journeyed towards the Celestial City, said to themselves, “To prevent drowsiness in this place, let us fall into good discourse.” Christian enquired, “Brother, where shall we begin?” And Hopeful answered, “Where God began with us.” Then Christian sang this song —
“When saints do sleepy grow, let them come hither, And hear how these two pilgrims talk together; Yea, let them learn of them, in any wise,
Thus to keep open their drowsy slumb’ring eyes. Saints’ fellowship, if it be managed well, Keeps them awake, and that in spite of hell.” …