he standard here fixed, but I can
eye it though distant, with longing hope, and look upwards for the power
which I know is all-sufficient, and therefore sufficient to enable even
such an one as myself to reach it.

Viewing, then, these considerations in such a light as this, I can come
to no other conclusion, at least unaided, than that the work of
spreading religion has a claim infinitely transcending all others in
dignity, in solemnity, and in usefulness: destined to continue in force
until the happy moment come when every human being has been made fully
and effectually acquainted with his condition and its remedies--when
too, as it seems to me, it will be soon enough--of course, I lay down
this rule for myself, provided as I am to the extent of my wants and
very far beyond them--to devise other occupations: _now_ it behoves me
to discharge the overwhelming obligation which summons me to this.

I have scarcely mentioned my beloved mother in the whole of this letter;
for though little has ever passed between us on this subject through the
medium of language, and nothing whatever, I believe, since I last spoke
with you upon it, yet I have long been well aware of the tendency of her
desires, long indeed before my own in any degree coincided with them.

I await with deference and interest the communication of your desires
upon this subject: earnestly desiring that if I have said anything
through pride or self-love, it may be forgiven me at your hands, and by
God through his Son; and that if my statements be false, or exaggerated,
or romantic, or impracticable, I may, by His mercy and through your
instrumentality or that of others, be brought back to my right mind, and
taught to hold the truth of God in all its sobriety as well as in all
its force.--And believe me ever, my beloved and honoured father, your
affectionate and dutiful son,

WM. E. GLADSTONE.

_John Gladstone to his Son_

_Leamington, 10 Aug. 1830_.

MY BELOVED WILLIAM,--I have read and given my best consideration to your
letter, dated the 4th, which I only received yesterday. I did hope that
you would have delayed making up your mind on a subject so important as
your future pursuits in life must be to yourself and to us all, until
you had completed those studies connected with the attainment of the
honours or distinctions of which you were so