obey the divine law; then, and not till then, shall we be able to sing with the spirit, and with the understanding also. And I am not ashamed to acknowledge, that there have been raised secret aspirations to God in my soul; and I have been led at times to pour forth thanks to God, to take courage, and to ascribe praises to his holy

name.

This religion enables us to perform and to fulfil all those duties which we owe to our great Maker, and all the duties which we owe to each other. It will enable husbands to love their wives, and wives to be obedient to their husbands. This will lead them into a fulfilment of those duties which they owe to their offspring. Thus they will be enabled to keep the minds of their children tender, prepared to receive the manifestations of God, the good shepherd and husbandman, who sows the seed of the kingdom in their hearts. And so also they will bring forth fruit, some thirty, some sixty, some an hundred fold, to the praise and honour of God.

And now, under those feelings which induced me to request your company, I may say I have found it to be a relief to my mind; and by whatever name to religion you may be called, (for God is no respecter of persons, but in every nation he that feareth him and worketh righteousness is accepted of him,) under those

feelings of universal affection, I once more salute you, and bid you all farewell.

And

may the blessing of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ rest upon you all.

SERMON VI.

DELIVERED BY THOMAS WETHerald, at friends' meetING, WASHINGTON CITY, THIRD MONTH 20, 1825.

I HAVE never yet learned, to spend six days in worse than idleness, in order that I might have. something prepared on the seventh, to feed the vain minds of the people, and fill their itching ears, with words, which are only a secondary medium, whereby knowledge is obtained.

I am aware, that in the present age of degeneracy, there are thousands of highly professing Christians, who deny the operation of the spirit of God, upon the spirit of man; and who do not admit any other medium, but verbal communication, whereby they may be instructed: And as these depend on an improper medium, the doctrines, principles, and opinions imbibed, are of the same nature, impure; as no stream can rise higher than the fountain. From this very cause it is, that in the world, there is so much religion and so little righteousness. Instead of these terms being synonymous, as they ought to be, there are no two terms more directly opposite, in the universe. A man at

the present day may become very religious, very zealous, in the cause of religion, and do much for its support; and yet indulge in all the propensities of his carnal mind. And if his misconduct goes not so far, that he receives the lash of the civil power, he passes on very well.

But is this the kind of religion, that will enable us to meet God with acceptance?

No. It is not the religion of experience, or of revelation; it is not the religion of our own reflection. It is that religion which is the result of education, prejudice and habit; and therefore it must follow, that while under the influence of these causes, proceeding from this corrupt source, we must be split and divided. And here we see, “Mystery Babylon, the great, the mother of harlots, and abominations of the earth." That which is out of the truth, stands not in the power of God, which is in this day, as fully revealed, as ever it was of old.

Whilst we stand not in this power, we stand in a power of our own creation, which power is not of God.

Since we have been sitting together, my mind has been led to look at a very ancient record; by which we are informed, that in the works of creation, God placed in this firmament two lights; the greater to rule the day, and the lesser to rule the night. And he made the stars also. Now we believe this record; we be

lieve that the sun was placed in the firmament, and that it gives light. But why do we believe it? Because we feel its vivifying influence; the evidence is indubitable, and this affords a beautiful type of that medium, through which we receive a knowledge of God. "For this is life eternal, to know thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent." He has given us a light, which is the life of men. This light operates upon every mind;there is not an individual, who has arrived to the years of manhood, without feeling its influence, however he may be bound, under the dogmas of those preceptors, unto human nature, who never received this command from God.Go ye, therefore, and teach all nations, baptising them into the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost."

But what will that religion do for us, in that day, when this mortal must put on immortality, and this corruptible must put on incorruption?

Is there an individual, who has not experienced the operation of the spirit in his own mind, and who has not, at times, felt a concern for his everlasting welfare? Are there any, who cannot testify that they have, when on their pillows, had serious reflections; and in their. solitary hours been led or induced to aspire, unto the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, for knowledge and wisdom?