would learn war no more. this glorious Republic and our government, were the Were the President of the different officers of members of Congress and of the different State Legislatures, all experimentally and practically pious, what a powerful influence for good would they wield. And then, were all our citizens religious, what a heaven upon earth would our country present. 2. It is profitable to every part of society. Let the religion of Jesus be established in a neighborhood; let all the inhabitants experience its transforming influence, and exhibit in their lives its heavenly principles, and such a locality realizes more benefit, more permanent gain than any other acquisition, however valuable, would afford. Godliness makes good citizens and kind neighbors. This will preserve the rich from vain glory, and will give them sympathetic hearts and liberal hands. This will keep the poor from despondency, and make them satisfied and contented with their condition. This will cheer the widow and sustain the hapless orphan. This will do good and only good. The possessor of which can and will pray: "Teach me to feel another's woe, To hide the fault I see, That mercy I to others show, 3. It is profitable to a family. What is so advantageous as true piety? It gives peace and quietness, happiness and contentment, in the home. The parents influenced by this principle are qualified faithfully to perform the important duties which their relation imposes upon them; are enabled, by precept and example, to train their children in the nurture and admonition (discipline) of the Lord. And the children thus instructed in the way they should go will be as olive plants" around the board. They will imbibe those principles which in after-life, should their days be prolonged, will render them useful members of civil and religious society. The "blessing of God, which maketh rich, and addeth no sorrow," will rest upon that household where the graces of godliness are exemplified. 4. It is profitable to individuals. It gives peace to the troubled conscience, joy to the sorrowful heart, and hope to the desponding mind a hope that blooms for immortality and eternal life. In a word, it removes all that is offensive to God in the human soul, and fills it with all that is well-pleasing in His sight. It adorns its possessor with all the graces of the Spirit, and thus he is restored to the image of his God. It makes him "fervent in spirit, serving the Lord," and thus he will reap spiritual advantage in time and in eternity. . It causes him to be diligent in his worldly business, and thus he gains all he can; to be economical, and thus he saves all he can; and to be generous and liberal, and thus he gives all he can. Godliness is "profitable unto all things"—is beneficial in every situation, through life's vicissitudes in prosperity, in adversity, in health, in affliction, in life, and in death. It delivers from those sinful exercises and those unholy passions which never fail to render life unhappy, and often shorten its duration; for it is written, "The sinner shall not live out half his days"; and again, we are told, "What man is he that desireth life and loveth many days, that he may see good? (let him) depart from evil and do good, seek peace and pursue it." Godliness forbids excess and enjoins temperance. Therefore, it causes the lamp of life to burn brightly, strongly, and permanently; as it is written, "With long life will I satisfy him, and show him My salvation." Having the promise of the life to come, it gives the requisite preparation for a future and unchangeable state of blessedness. In conclusion, may I ask each hearer, Do you possess this godliness? Then exercise yourself to retain it, by "walking in the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless" by recommending it to others, and using all the means in your power to bring others to a participation in this invaluable blessing. Are you destitute of it? Then strive earnestly and instantly to obtain it, through God's grace. With it we are happy, now and forever; without it, nothing beside can be profitable to us, though we should gain the whole world. It is the "one thing needful" for time and for eternity. SALEM, NEW JERSEY, November 6th, 1848. ON PURITY OF HEART. "BLESSED ARE THE PURE IN HEART, FOR THEY SHALL SEE GOD." Matthew v. 8. HIS portion of Holy Writ exhibits to us that state of grace to which we must attain, would we see God as our reconciled Father, and ultimately dwell in His presence, where there is fullness of joy, and pleasures forevermore. Let us learn, I. Who are the pure in heart; and II. Wherein their blessedness consists. Purity, holiness, sanctification, and perfection are synonymous terms, as applied to Christian experience in the Sacred Volume. To be pure in heart cannot imply less than to be freed from all that is sinful, and to be filled with all that is good. From such a heart "old things have passed |