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and communion of God. It is to the paths of the just, a shining lamp which gilds with hope, the darkest hour of his pilgrimage. Its steady light conducts him safely through all the dangers that encompass his feet. It cheers the gloom of the valley & shadow of death; and opens beyond the grave, the prospect of a bright and peaceful world, "where the wicked cease from troubling, & the weary are at rest," (((Having this towards God, "he purifies himself, even as he is pure;" and prepared for that consummation, he is admitted to "glory, honor and immortality."))) Contemplate the value of that gospel, in its influence upon society. (((Its morality is at once most pure, and its motives most persuasive.))) Whenever it has been purely preached, it has elevated the standard of morals, and immeasurably improved the condition of society. Instances of virtue, which once conferred an illustrious immortality, because they were rare, few are now so base, that under

transcription note: words enclosed in triple parentheses are crossed out