out it the world would go to ruin, and the ends of man's existence on earth could not be accomplished. Man is placed in this world to become fitted for heaven,—to become prepared for a happy eternal abode in a higher and spiritual state of existence. This is his destination, if he is willing to take the means to arrive at it: this is the great purpose of his being: this is the end of ends, which the Divine Providence has in view. All other things, consequently, are subsidiary and subservient to this. The multitudes of human beings, thus temporarily sojourning on this globe, are collected into greater and smaller societies called peoples and nations. Now, in these societies order must be observed, not merely for the sake of present quiet and peace, but above all, to enable men to accomplish the great object of their being, which, as before said, is to fit them for the future eternal life. It is plain, that were all things in perpetual tumult and confusion,—disturbance and contention on all sides—deeds of violence and wrong committed in open day, and no power to check them,—robbers breaking into houses, and murderers running through the streets with naked swords in their hands,—in such a state of things, what could the peaceable and well-disposed do? What time and what opportunity could they have, either for performing the duties of the present life, or for preparing themselves for that which is to come? The whole order of life would be broken up. The public teaching of religious truths that point the way to heaven, would cease; the instruction of children would cease; marriages themselves would cease to take place: in constant fear of their life, men would have no heart to undertake any regular duties, or enter upon
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