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all sects of Christians-giving them your special personal attention & encouragement-on all proper occasions- They are worth more than all your·Judges, your juries, your sheriffs & your executioners- They prevent evil- while others but punish it-Take this solemn injunction which I make you in all sincerity most solemnly to your heart-and if you could but realise the blessings promised by the Gospel to all who accept it- you would then be more worthy and much bet~r qualified for the performance of the important duties--c which are about to devolve upon you- I am fully assured that you can effect no good without the Almighty Aid- and I feel equally assured that with it-you have nothing to fear either as President of a young Republic or as J\i B Lamar- Excuse me for dwelling on this subject- because I know you are aware that I once most unfortunately was very careless on such subjects- I am convinced of my error as much as I am, that I ever saw you- and I would as I value your eterna,l welfare, have you convinced too-Nothing more is necessary than to take the right means & the constant use of them according to the Gospel promises Take your polar star- in all that is Good- and the Gospel as your Compass & your guide-and you will very soon realise all its promises- & be prepared much better for the duties and obliga- tions of office in this World- but what is of much greater impor- tance for that which is eternal & unchangeable- and to which we are all hai;;tening with the speed of Time- Had you but this addition to your other qualifications- would you but obtain it- would you but let me now with the example of" our own Genl Washington be.fore you- enjoin it on you to embrace it with all sincerity I could, guarantee to the people of Texas such a Ruler as they have never dreamed of & in yo11r-- You will have heard long before, of my sudden and great afflic- tions- You may (as I did formerly) suppose that I have in conse- quence of them been estranged from my right reason - But believe not such-they are suggestions of the Devil-The reason of the world on that subject is truly from him- I hope I am estranged from it forever-& that you will be too- I am sure my health is as good & my faculties of mind as vigorous as ever~and though I see such important subjects through a different medium, I am assured, I see· them in a juster truer light and moreover, in a more reasonable one-Nor was I frightened into this change nor brought to it by despa-ir at the time- I never despaired while in the utmost danger, with no visible means of escape & all reasonable chances in the· proportion of ten millions to one against me- Nor did I perceive· any change in my mind or my feelings at any time during my dan- ger-Nor until I was some days on shore-I state these things to- convince you that I cannot be deceived- But I do feel that I have been chastened by my afflictions -that I now feel that in some meas- ure my duties & my obligations to an all wise & Kind Cre~tor who has: prepared a plan for Man's Redemption, consistent with his justice- a,nd that all who neglect or refuse to accept it, are rebels in his· sight & deserving his punishment-If this be deception & I be further deceived in endeavoring to be reconciled to God- by obedience to
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