. CONCLUSION. 505 as to annihilate the distance, -to see his eternal redemptiondrawing nigh. Though his aims will always be far greater than his attainments, yet he is not discou- raged : his hope is above, his heart is above, his treasure is above ; no wonder then that his prayers are directed, and a large portion of his wealth sent forward thither, where he himself hopes soon to be. It is but transmitting his riches of both kinds, not only to his future, but his eternal home. Even if prayer were as worthless, with respect to present' advantages, and reli- gion as burthensome, as some suppose, it would be a sufficient vindication of both that they lead to eternal bliss. When, by a distant journey, we have been long separated from our own beloved habit- ation, we do not call that the most desir- able road back to it which abounds with the gayest objects, but that which will bring us the most safely home. If, indeed, we can amuse ourselves with the scenery, without slackening our pace, or
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