37 



sed away. Creeds are the bones of religion, and the 

 dry bones too — They have neither muscle, nor flesh, nor 

 spirit. 



The divisions, among Christians, arc alike destruc- 

 tive of the interests of society ; and the vitality of religion. 

 The numerous houses of worship, standing alone, in 

 corners, in the land, as ensigns of their sects, will, ere 

 long, inform the passing traveller, by their grass-grown 

 entrance, that they were erected, to further the views of 

 a party, and not to promote the worship of the living 

 God. There will be charity ; there will be union ; there 

 will be perfect religious freedom ; " Where the spirit of 

 'Lord is; there is liberty. "^^ Evidence of this is every 

 day, and every where, accumulating. Who gave one 

 authority to decide for another, in matters of conscience ? 

 Who would abide the consequences of a wrong decis- 

 ion? Who more confiding in his religion, than the Cath- 

 olic or Mahometan? Who more surely wrong? 



Our Saviour " went about doing good.^^ His religion 

 never fails to show itself in a life of humility^ charity^ 

 ''full of good fruits.'''' It is the humble and contrite 

 spirit, that ''in the sight of God is of great price.'''' I 

 had rather be such a Christian, whatever be his colour, 

 or profession ; than pillowed on all the creeds in Chris- 

 tendom; or buoyed up on all the prayers, of all the 

 cold sectarians in the land. " By their fruits ye shall 

 know them," said the Saviour of men. And, In the 

 day of account ; no book of remembrance records 

 creed, or sect ; but " Come, ye blessed, I was hungry^ 

 and ye gave me meat ;" " Depart, ye cursed ; / icas 

 hungry., and ye gave me no meat ;" is the ground of the 

 judgment ; and the reason of the separation. 



