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progress, which are the very honors of our immortal
ity. But it shall be labor no longer out side the
kingdom of Heaven. It is labor in the master's
Society, labor under the encouragements of his
friendship, labor with the crown on the head
and the seal in the fore head. And the recon-
ciliation in the heart. Faithful continuance
in welldoing, not for the sake of the reward
but for the brave relish of fidelity's own
sake, has brought the disciple to his Lord;
and when he looks up, behold! glory and
honor and immortality are the spiritual
trophies that adorn his dwelling.

In some one of these seven stages
of spiritual pilgrimage every soul among us is
found today; for beneath alienation from God
there is no lower depravity, and above eternal
life and love there is no more perfect holiness
or joy. Which one of us shall be too cowardly
or too careless to bring the wholesome questions
personally home: At which point am I? Which
way do my steps tend? Is my journey towards
the far country or towards my Father's house? Or
do I stand weak, irresolute, and despicable, looking now
this way, & now that, halting between husks with the [illegible] & the
honors of glory everlasting. Shall I go farther astray, or shall I return
a grateful penitent, to the Shepherd & Bishop of Souls?

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