178 SELECTIONS FROM ADDRESSES. 



tion ; though in fact, the influence has been no less decided upon 

 all other classes; except, perhaps, some of the wealthy and 

 fashionable, who still cling to the wine cup ; but whose wealth, 

 unless they do speedily dash that cup from their lips, will as- 

 suredly pass from them to the hands of those, into whose path 

 cold water is washing golden sands. 



But the crowning excellence of all pursuits and all classes re- 

 mains to be noticed. I mean pure and undefiled religion. And 

 really, if agriculture is favorable to its reception and develop- 

 ment, this is the greatest recommendation of that pursuit. Now 

 what religion reasonably asks, is, that its claims should be ex- 

 amined by a mind in a healthy state, free from prejudice, not 

 perverted by a wicked life, capable of forming a proper estimate 

 of this world in relation to the next, and of correctly balanc- 

 ing the evidence for and against Christianity. And we have 

 shown that the tendency of agricultural pursuits is to produce 

 such a state of mind and of heart. Accordingly, among no class 

 of men do the advocates of true religion find a more ready re- 

 ception of its principles, and a better exemplification of its spirit, 

 than among the cultivators of the soil. When they yield their 

 hearts to its influence, it is a deliberate consecration ; not the 

 result of animal excitement, or partial views ; and therefore, 

 likely to be thorough and enduring as life. In short, the influ- 

 ence of these pursuits is seen in the religion of their cultivators, 

 as well as in every thing else. 



But, though agriculture may thus in some degree subserve the 

 cause of religion, far greater is the benefit conferred by re- 

 ligion upon every agriculturist who adopts and practises it. 

 To him, and his family, it is literally true, that in a pecuniary 

 respect, godliness is great gain. There is no motive to indus- 

 try and economy that will compare in power with a religious 

 one. If love to God and love to man reign in the farmer's 

 heart, and to do good to others be the grand object for which he 

 lives and acts, how cheerfully, how judiciously, how persever- 

 ingly will he labor! He who labors merely to gratify his infe- 

 rior appetites, or his selfish passions, or a sordid love of gain, 

 will be very likely to grasp at so much, and be so little scrupu- 

 lous as to the means he employs, as to lose the whole ; or, at 



