the dereliction of these. We have substituted a great deal of that which is of our own creation, that we might have a tower of our own building. We have substituted this for the immediate manifestations of that principle which continues to open the blind eyes, to unstop the deaf ears, and to heal every malady of the soul, even to the cleansing of leprosy, casting out devils, and raising from a death of sin, to the life of God in the soul.

There has been a great deal of preaching, praying and singing; and strenuous efforts have been made to support with gold, the gospel and the Bible; and I know not what beside. But let us look at the foundation upon which they have been building. It is worse than that of Babel; for do we not see, that in all these benevolent societies, so called, money, money is the object, the love of which is the root of all evil. And from whom are these donations and subscriptions solicited? Are they solicited from the pious, the righteous, and virtuous in society, and from those who are worthy to support the cause of the divine kingdom? No, verily. They are received from the blood thirsty warrior, the cruel slave holding oppressor, from those who are turning the choicest temporal gifts of heaven into the most grievous of curses. They are received

from the drunkard and the gambler-from those who have ruined themselves by extravagance, and have drawn others into the same condemnation: and what if I should say, that I verily believe, the hire of an harlot, and the price of a dog, both of which are an abomination in the sight of heaven, and ought not to come into the Lords's treasury, would not be refused. Is this, then, the foundation on which the church of God is to be built? Can any thing which is thus corrupt, ever support the superstructure? No, verily; for the vessels of the Lord's house are holy. It is evident, therefore, that self interest is the main spring of action, and not religion.

Now let us look a little at this evil. Can the warrior under the influence of a thirst after blood, support the kingdom of Christ on earth? No, my brethren, never-he never can support the cause of peace on earth and good will to men. Can he who is an oppressor of his brethren, declare that he would do unto all men as he would that they should do unto him?

Now let us turn our attention a little to a deadly evil in this boasted land of liberty. We see the choicest blessings of heaven transformed into the most grievous curse; so that what was designed for the support of man, is made to pro

duce his destruction. We see the most wholesome food transformed into a fiery liquid poison. Perhaps within the recollection of each of us, we have known many, who have been bereaved of some branch of their family, and felt the desolating effects of this mournful evil. The thoughtless multitude will despise the poor drunkard; and among these are to be found those who have ruined the constitutions, destroyed the bodies and intellects, and what if I should say, the souls of men by this perversion of the bounties. of heaven. But let them beware, that they are not in the second heaven, taking a false rest, and that they do not find their state worse than that of the drunkard. I apprehend that the drunkard is not the worst of the family. The distiller and the retailer-these are the elder brethren in iniquity. These are the vultures, that are preying upon the very vitals of their weaker brethren— and interest, sordid interest is the moving cause. I therefore want us all, again to take it into serious consideration-especially if we are looking for happiness in an existence beyond the grave. See what feelings this will produce in our minds. Now if it brings peace into well regulated minds here, it will bring peace hereafter; and if trouble, sorrow, confusion, horror, dread, and despair, it will produce the same effects in

time to come.

For as God is God, and changes not, so evil never changes its consequences, nor ceases to produce its effects, and its effects are misery.

Now let us turn again to the gospel, which is preached in every creature. And what is the gospel? It is that of which we need not be ashamed-it is declared to be the power of God unto salvation to all them that believe. But there is a gospel of which I may acknowledge I am ashamed. It stands in the wisdom of manit is supported by his eloquence, and ambition for worldly honour; and I apprehend there is very little difference in the motives of the warrior, who strives to gain a name by his valour in the field of battle, the lawyer at the bar, or the priest in the pulpit. They are all prompted by different modifications of the same spirit-they are all seeking for honour from man, and verily, they have their reward. They are seeking honour which depends upon their own works, and the works of man can never work the righteousness of God. I want you to know your interest better. If you will make a profession of religion, let it be a religion which will not only do to live by in youth, in health, and in prosperity, but in adversity and distress; a religion which will rob death of its sting, and the grave of its victory

a religion which will open unto us the new and living way, which leads into that which is within the vail, the holiest of all; where nothing will be hid from the view, and where we shall be able to behold the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven opened unto us.

But the preaching, which commonly goes by the name of preaching-what is it? It is a mere form of words, and those who utter them are mere linguists and not preachers. It is often prepared beforehand. And what is that preparation? is it to cry aloud and spare not? Do these lift up their voice like a trumpet, and cry aloud to show Israel their transgressions, and Jacob their sins? Is it not all to build up systems which they have adopted, by daubing together bricks with slime, and not with mortar, till it has become confusion worse confounded?

I want not to see these effects among mankind. I want us to come under the influence of that gospel which is preached, where it ought to be preached, and where it was declared that it should be preached, "in every creature under heaven." And when we come to experience this preached baptizingly in ourselves, we shall know that the command was not given to preach and baptize merely: but we shall know it preached baptizingly in ourselves. And that living principle