UNCLE IN ENGLAND. 279 



" It is true that, as nothing has been distinctly 

 communicated to us on the mode of existence 

 after our resurrection, we can know but little of 

 the precise nature of that future life ; but there 

 may be more analogy in it to our present state 

 than we can now venture to affirm. There is 

 some reason to believe that the employments of 

 the good and wise, and the chief sources of their 

 happiness in this world, have more or less rela- 

 tion to those which they are to enjoy in the world 

 to come. The study of nature, the pursuit of 

 knowledge,, and the exercise of our faculties, 

 when controlled by religion and virtue, may all, 

 perhaps, assist in qualifying us for occupations 

 and enjoyments in the 'kingdom of the Father,' 

 infinitely more excellent and refined indeed, yet 

 not entirely dissimilar. 



61 But whatever view we take of the mode of 

 our future existence, it must revive and invigo- 

 rate our minds to feel that the evidence of the 

 resurrection of mankind is full and complete ; 

 and that we may, therefore, look forward, with 

 perfect confidence, beyond these clouded scenes 

 of mortality, to their final result. Let us now go, 

 my children, and during the solemn service of 

 this day, let us turn our eyes forward to that per- 

 manent happiness that we are taught to expect 

 as the fruits of the discipline and vicissitudes ex- 

 perienced in the present life and now, and al- 

 ways, let us keep our minds steadily and grate- 



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