HARVARD COLLEGE LIBRARY FROM THE LIBRARY OF MRS. ELLEM HAVEN ROSS JUNE 28, 1938 Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1841, BY CHRISTOPHER C. DEAN, In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of Massachusetts. THE PLEASANT WAY. CHAPTER I. INTRODUCTORY REMARKS. "There is a path that leads to God, My young readers, were you about to set out on a journey, and two paths presented themselves to your view, how should you be governed in your choice? Suppose that you should make inquiries respecting them, and ascertain that one was much shorter than the other, but was a very dangerous and unpleasant road; while the other, though a little further, was a "pleasant way;" which should you prefer? The latter, undoubtedly. You had rather go a little further, and enjoy the journey, than go by a shorter road, and be constantly subject to danger and trouble. This is perfectly natural and right. We always love pleasant things-pleasant journeys, pleasant countenances, pleasant weather, pleasant men, &c. My young friends, we are all setting out on a journey, and are all traveling to the same country-eternity. There are two roads that present themselves to our view. One is a narrow but pleasant way, in which the pilgrims have much to hope for, but nothing to fear. The river of life supplies them with pure and refreshing water, and they are fed with the sweet bread of heaven. Each step they take carries them nearer to the celestial city. Their happiness increases in proportion to their onward progress, till at last all tears are wiped away from their eyes, and they are admitted into the heavenly mansions prepared for them. This, young readers, is the path of peace, the "pleasant way," to which this little book is intended to direct you. |