NATURAL THEOLOGY. 215 



representation which Jesus Christ has given us of 

 a state of recompense ? 



A. Yes. In the general providence of God child- 

 hood has very much the same relation to mature age, 

 as this world has to the world to come. If we fail 

 to govern our passions when we are young, they 

 usually govern us, and render us miserable in the after 

 stages of life. If we then form virtuous and religious 

 habits, cultivate our minds, and improve our opportu- 

 nities aright, we are sure to rewarded in the effect 

 produced upon our characters, feelings, and happiness 

 in the future periods of our days. The good and 

 the evil are placed before the child; and as his 

 choice and conduct shall be, so, in the general course 

 of divine providence, are manhood and old age re- 

 munerated. — Not so, with any other being but man. 

 It is not left with the chicken to choose whether or 

 not it will follow its instincts, so as to become 

 a happy bird, when it has grown up. In our present 

 existence, therefore, there is a distinction from that 

 of inferior animals, similar to what revelation teach- 

 es us to expect with reference to a future state. 



T. And now, what ought to be your endeavor 

 and your prayer ? 



A. What I desire to ask is that mine may ever be, 

 " by patient continuance in well doing to seek for 

 glory, honor and immortality. " 



