given an undue preference to other points, there has always been a deep and wide feeling, that righteousness is a requisition, and a prominent requisition of the Gospel. It has been impossible for men to overlook the fact, that the disciples of Jesus Christ, that "Just One," are called to the culture of personal goodness. There is therefore in all the churches of the land a disposition, perhaps not yet clearly understood by those in whose breasts it lives, to respond to our exhortation to "fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole " duty, interest, and life" of man." Let us present this truth distinctly, free from the embarrassments by which it has been surrounded by other teachers, and thousands of hearts will welcome the annunciation as that which meets their strongest convictions. Let our exposition of Christianity be alike simple and forcible, and even those who most earnestly oppose our views as imperfect will not dare to question our great principle, that "he who doeth not righteousness is not of God," while multitudes will cordially assent to that "form of sound words " which relieves our religion from all appearance of inconsistency or weakness. With such encouragements, coming alike from our past history and our present position, from our relation to other portions of the Church and from our internal state, from our unity and from our difference in unity, from the mistakes and from the wants which we perceive around us, steadily and resolutely let us devote ourselves to the work of righteousness, to its growth among ourselves, and to its diffusion through society. This is our appropriate undertaking, and oh! what blessings will descend upon our hearts, should they not rest on our names, if we faithfully accomplish what is beNever did a denomination enter upon its min fore us. istry to mankind with such pledges of success as invite us into the path of duty. The world is weary of the yoke of sin. The whole creation on earth is "groaning to be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God." We may apply the means of its redemption. Various means, besides those which we should use, have been tried, and how little have they effected. Let us diligently press the righteousness of the Christian character upon men as their only way of salvation, and yet the highest felicity to which they can aspire, and never was a doctrine preached on earth, since inspiration and miracle returned to heaven with the last of those who preached Christianity in its early days, that could so awaken the gratitude and win the faith of multitudes. Go forth then, friends and brethren, go forth in sacred companionship, and though you be but a small band in the midst of the hosts by which you are surrounded, yet with righteousness written on your lives and with this declaration on your lips, "Blessed are they who do hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled," you may conquer unbelief and contempt and irreligion: False doctrine and evil practice shall retire before you, and that hour shall come, which prophecy announces and humanity seeks with longing heart, when he who is styled “the sun of righteousness" shall arise with healing in his beams, and the nations shall rejoice in his brightness. |