{"product_id":"2940012057433","title":"Italian Mission","description":"To cross a vast continent, and a vaster ocean, demands a motive of considerable force. When such a journey leads one directly away from his cherished home—from the wife of his youth, and the children who cluster round to hsp a father's name—then serious affairs surely should be sounding an imperative call in the ear of the traveller.\u003cbr\u003eI have performed such a journey, and under such circumstances.\u003cbr\u003eWas I led by the renown of ancient Italy—the teeming page of her immortal story? Ah! no. The smile around my hearth and home are a thousand times dearer to my heart than all the deeds of departed heroes. Was there a charm for me in the mouldering ruins of pagan temples? or in the elegant structures of papal worship? or were these unthought of in that hour of untold emotion when I rent myself from the realities of present happiness to seek an almost unknown future.\u003cbr\u003eAs a servant of Jesus Christ, I was going to oppose \"one who exalteth himself against all that is called God,\" and held an usurped authority over many nations.\u003cbr\u003eItaly appeared a death-wrapt land, where the errors of ages were ready to combat my attempt with gigantic powers. I have now been to that country, and publish these letters to my familiar friends, as a brief record of my mission.","brand":"MJ Publishing","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47068404678896,"sku":"2940012057433","price":2.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0737\/7593\/9824\/files\/2940012057433_p0.jpg?v=1763552061","url":"https:\/\/shop-qa.barnesandnoble.com\/products\/2940012057433","provider":"Barnes \u0026 Noble (DEV)","version":"1.0","type":"link"}