Destructive Sin

During the Franco-German War two shells fell close to a house near the scene of the conflict. The owner decided to keep them as a curiosity. After polishing them, he put them near his fireplace. One day he showed these interesting objects to a visiting acquaintance. He friend was suddenly struck by a horrible thought. "What if they're still loaded?" he inquired in alarm. Being an expert in such matters, he quickly examined the shells. "Get them away from the heat of the fire immediately! They're as deadly as the day they were made!" he exclaimed. Without realizing it, his host had been in grave peril. So, too, many go on enjoying "the pleasures of sin for a season," ignorant of impending doom. By failing to obey the Gospel, they face the dreadful prospect of being "punished with everlasting destruction form the presence of the Lord."