Tis a pleasant thought to try to be a follower of Jesus. Tis pleasant in this world of trials and afflictions, and makes many happy homes. That blessed thought has wrought a great change at my home, indeed it has got to be a glorious reality. we read that sacred volume, have family prayer, and try to follow in the footsteps of our blessed Saviour. O My Christian friends I think tis an honor, to work in the vineyard of the Lord and it will pay, not only in this life but twill pay in the dying hour, and if I prove faithful I will secure an inheritance in that building not made by hands eternal in the heavens a home beyond the skies an the companion of those pensioners for the eternal world. I think my _____ to look at these promises and not expect to realize the worth of them must be a terrible thought, but on the other hand when christ says come unto me ye blessed of my Father &c—

 

is a great satisfaction to the followers of Jesus, but I dont expect to gain the crown without being watchful. we cannot as the poet has said expect to be carried to the skies

 

            My desire is the few days I have yet to live to devote them so far as my poor frail body and feeble mind will permit to some thing higher and nobler, which will be an hour in this life and a blessing in eternity 

 

            My friends I am glad to meet you here and I hope twill do me good to be here among these veterans in the army of the Lord to hear them tell of his goodness and mercy and blessings he has heaped upon you

 

            God has been very gracious to me and has blest me abundantly if in nothing more he has given me good health and all that is necessary to my health make this life happy and comfort. but I have been ungrateful, and acted upon the principle that all was to be allowed in pursuit of the pleasures of this world and lost sight of the fact that the grand object and aim of every one of Gods intelligent creatures should be their future welfare beyond this deceitful vain world of ours, but I feel to thank you to knight that he pursuaded me to start in this new life to try to love Jesus.

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