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36.
made me shrink from the degree of responsi=
bility in which this situation would involve
me. I however saw it too important to be
trifled with; looked to the Lord for direction,
and was enabled to venture upon this new un=
=dertaking under a sense of His divine help and
support. Some time previous to this I had read
a work describing a company of Pilgrims travel=
=ling to Zion, and had been much pleased with it.
These Pilgrims, it was said, had, during their
Journey, been induced to leave the narrow path,
and turn into a beautiful field, called the field
of speculation. it was close by the way, smooth
and easy to the feet, and full of delightful flow=
=ers which they might pluck, examine, and ad=
=mire, as much as they chose. This they did,
till they were called to account for trespassing
where they had no right, darkness overtook
them, shame and confusion overwhelmed them.
and punishment ensued, from which they could
not escape; till a strong deliverer appeared to
rescue them. When set at liberty, they were
hastily, if I recollect right, obliged to descend
a steep and rugged path into the valley of hu=
=miliation, where at first they suffered much;
but here the breach was restored; and their hurts
healed. Who would not think that a represen=
=tation like this read and considered by a re=