398 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF THE [1/93 



ones, what punishment can be due to those who not only discountenance 

 and refuse the worsliip of the true God, but openly profane, blaspheme, 

 or deny His holy name? 



I know, my brethren, the nature of persecution, and, I trust, the nature 

 also of that civil and religious liberty which our happy constitution in- 

 sures to all. But the abuse of privileges, and that licentiousness, civil 

 or religious, which dissolves the bands of society and tends to the de- 

 struction both of soul and body, are certainly not the objects of tolera- 

 tion under any government. If it were possible for men of the most 

 abundant estate, or in the higher stations of life, and who claim the un- 

 restrained right of doing what they please with their own ; I say, if it 

 were possible for them to indulge every luxury, folly, vanity and vice, 

 which the corrupt heart and understanding could devise (taking their 

 chance of another world) ; I say again, if this were possible, without 

 poisoning society by their fatal example in the present world, there 

 might be some plea for their liberty of doing with their own fortune, 

 and with their souls and bodies, according to the lusts of their own will. 

 But would tliis consist with the dignity of a man, or the exercise of his 

 rational faculties, even if he could believe that there was no worlcKljutN^ 

 the present; and that, after the longest life spent in the varnties here on ) 

 earth, he was to lie down in the dust, like the beasts that perislvamL '' 

 that the trump of God would never rouse his sleeping ashes to a future 

 judgment? No! and I am well persuaded that I do not at present 

 address a man of this belief. On the contrary, I rather trust, that there 

 is not a person who now hears me that does not believe he was sent into 

 this world for nobler purposes than merely to vegetate, to rot, and to 

 die. Wherefore, then, let us all strive to fill the sphere assigned us 

 with dignity and diligence. If the supreme Wisdom has called us to 

 the inferior stations of bodily labor, we are therewith to be content. It 

 is honorable and subservient to virtue; for not the meanest calling but 

 hath a blessing promised of God, and not the most exalted but hath its 

 cares, its toils and temptations. Again, if, by the indulgence of heaven, 

 we are released from the necessity of bodily labor, yet not less is the 

 sphere of duty, nor less the joy attending the faithful discharge of it. 

 There are liberal and ingenuous employments suited to the highest parts 

 and estate — Go, order your affairs aright. Train up your ch.ildren in 

 the fear of God. Be an example of righteousness to your household 

 and to society. Husband your time and your fortune for the public 

 good. Minister out of your abundance to the necessities of others. Be 

 hospitable; be kind; be solicitous for the advancement of justice and 

 virtue, in all which you may be serious without gloom, cheerful without 

 levity, and active without dissipation. For our religion enjoins no duty 

 but what is for our own welfare, and denies no indulgence but what 

 would cross us in our way heavenwards. 



True it is, that by the precepts of this religion men blest with fortune 



