Reminiscences from The Life of a Pioneer by Ira Ayer I
Halloo Traveller which way are you going? as I was looking from the window and see you were gazing at the Mansion as though you have some thoughts of calling. There are a great many thousand people traveling in the way you are every day and I call out to them as I have called to you and invite them in as I now invite you so you see all are invited. What is this for asked the Traveller? because said Wisdom God has no respect of [preasous] and more than this said Wisdom God has prepared a new way called the [man???] way of life, it cost a great price but God was so merciful and kind that He provided it for the whole human family that they might have life, perhaps I might as well tell you now Traveller as any time that you and all this crowed I have mentioned are in the [broad?] way that leads to death. You know Traveller how it was with the rich man and the beggar. The beggar died and went to Heaven. The rich man also died and lifted up his eyes being in Torment and asked Abraham if Lazarus might dip the tip of his finger in water and touch his tongue for he was tormented in this [flam?] Abraham told the rich man no. He told him once he had his good thing and Lazarus his evil but now ah what a change dear reader what an awful change but now Lazarus is blessed and thou art tormented then the rich man asked other favors of Abraham but the answer was a denial of the rich mans request in every case. It may be said that this dialogue between Abraham and the rich man was a parable it may be it was it maybe it was not it makes no difference. I don't care which way you have it if it was a fact it was made a matter of record for the benefit of man if it was a parable it was for the same purpose. Now reader let us come to this conclusion that we will sooner die beggars as Lazarus died if needs be and go to Heaven than to be rich and as consequence be lost forever.
Traveller you have been calling me Friend Wisdom you have said right. I am your Friend and friend to all. Now let us come to this conclusion That we will do all we can to [Turn?] what we can. Brother Traveller I believe in the letter as well do I believe in the Spirit. If we would get a [Sumer?] to Heaven [?????st] be ware that we are going there [ausdebienes?] before we can say [same?] and go with us Now Brother may God so help us that we can say at last we have fought a good fight hence path there is a [crowse?] Said [???] for us Eternal and in the Heavens Amen Ira Ayer
