Come while the morning of thy life is glowing,
Ere the dim phantoms thou art chasing die;
Ere the gay spell which earth is round thee throwing,
Fades, like the crimson from the sunset sky."

CHAPTER XI.

CONCLUSION.

66 'Sleep not, the Saviour cries,
On this low earthly ground;
Press on, press on, above the skies,
There shall your rest be found."

In bringing this book to a conclusion, I wish, my young friends, to give you several reasons why you should walk in the way that is here laid down. The first reason is,

1. It is a "pleasant way." As was observed in the beginning of this book, we all like pleasant things, and all wish to pursue that path which will afford us the most happiness. And where, I would ask, can you find a path so pleasant as that which leads to heaven? Where can you

find such holy enjoyment and pure happiness as the pilgrim to heaven enjoys? I know it is not such pleasure as the wicked value most. No, it is a higher and purer pleasure than that which they seek. It is a pleasure which an approving conscience. affords. It is a pleasure which springs from a consciousness of doing right. It is in some degree like the pleasure which all holy beings experience. What a strong reason is this why we should walk in wisdom's ways!

2. Another reason why we should walk in the “pleasant way” is, it leads upwards, to heaven and to God. In this world, all men are born equal, and on a level, in regard to moral character. But they do not long remain so. One class enter a path that leads downward, and pursue it with mad infatuation. It is an easy path, and holds out many alluring pleasures; and the pilgrims in it forget that they are descending lower, and further from God, at each step they take. But another class enter into a path that leads upward.

Though it is an up-hill path, yet the consciousness that they are ascending towards God and heaven, cheers and sustains them. As the eagle soars far above the groveling inhabitant of the world, and aspires to purer air, and clearer light, and loftier joy than earth affords, so the pilgrim in the "pleasant way" soars upwards, to commune with God, and aspires to the pure joys of heaven. They who enter into this path, “shall mount up with wings, as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; they shall walk, and not faint." And at last, when they have reached the summit of their hopes,—the end of their flight,— they shall sit down for ever at the right hand of God, with harps in their hands, and crowns on their heads, never more to breathe the tainted air of sin, or to grovel in worldly enjoyment. O, what a happy place is the pilgrim's home!

"Where the pilgrim reposes,

The fields are all green;
There day never closes,

Nor clouds intervene.

O, the forms that are there,
Such as eye hath not seen!
O, the songs they sing there,

With hosannas between,

While the river of life flows freely."

O, who would not pursue the path that leads to such an end? Who would not soar above the world, if he may aspire to such pure joys as these? Who will not adopt the language of the poet,

"Swift as an eagle cuts the air,

We'll mount aloft to thine abode;
On wings of love our souls shall fly,
Nor tire amid the heavenly road."

3. It is the way in which God evidently wishes you to walk. If you obey the commands of the Bible, and walk in the straight and narrow way, you will obtain his love and favor. What a reason is this for obedience! To obtain the love and favor of so great and holy a Being, is surely honor enough for an angel; and will you not strive after it? On the other hand, if you refuse to walk in the "pleasant way,"