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The grave and the winding sheet, and the weeds of wo, are transformed, by the sweet influence of this faith, to scenes of beauty and hope, and robes of light and glory, as it points to the resurrection from the power and dominion of death, to that bright world of immortallity where they can die no more, but are equal unto the angels, themselves angels of light, the children of God. Yes, it kindles up in the human bosom a hope of a brighter and better existence, beyond the region and shadow of death, where

"What we now deplore,

Shall rise in full immortal prime,
And bloom to fade no more."

Such is the faith of Christianity; and it causes the soul to leap up in love and affection to God; to approach him with confidence and delight, and to exclaim in all the fulness of triumphant rapture, "whom have I in heaven but thee? and what can I desire on earth beside thee?" It causes man to hope in the Supreme, and rest in him with the fullest confidence. It even delivers those who all their lifetime have been subject to bondage through fear of death, and enables them to feel that they can pass through the valley and shadow of death, and fear no evil, for God will be

with them there. It makes man feel that he belongs to a universal brotherhood. It warms the soul into universal benevolence and charity, making him who loves God, feel that he should love his brother also. It breathes into the soul a spirit of kindred, of sympathy, and of good will for all, making the possessor a philanthropist, a lover of mankind. It transforms the soul from the spirit of the world, the spirit of revenge, pride and ambition, to the spirit of its own illimitable benevolence. The recipients not only believe that God made of one blood all nations to dwell on the face of all the earth, but he feels it, and the great relationship resulting from it, the relation of brethren. And it produces in his bosom the spirit of universal equality.

It has a sanctifying and saving efficacy upon his heart. On the one hand, it saves him from that pride which would lead him to rate himself above others, and to say to them, stand by thyself, come not near me, for I am greater than thou; on the other, from that servile cringing spirit which would degrade him below, and make him a willing slave.

The pure spirit of christianity is not the spirit of a sect or party. It knows no party limits, or denominational distinctions.

It is

a far higher and more noble spirit. It weds the soul to universal man; yea to God and to angels. While the world, untouched by christianity, may love those of their own sect or party, (even publicans love publicans) it remained for pure christianity to infuse into the mind a broader and more comprehensive philanthropy, a warmer and more tender charity; a charity not merely for friends and denominational favorites, but for all, even for enemies. It breathes a spirit which knows no vengeance. In the midst of angry contentions, and the warlike commotions of the world, it is as tranquil as heaven, and as peaceful as the unweaned child. The blind presumption of bigoted opposers, or the contemptuous conduct of despisers, or the open malice of deadly foes, could not excite within it a desire for retaliation. But it forbears and forgives to the last extremity. For enmity, it returns love; for curses, blessings; for hatred, kindness and good will; for contempt and persecution, prayers and good wishes. Thus it was exhibited in the life, ministry, and death of its illustrious Author and Expounder. When reviled, he reviled not again. When his uninformed disciples would call down fire from heaven to devour

those who treated them despitefully, he rebuked them, saying, "Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of." They had not his spirit, the spirit of christianity; but it was the spirit of the world, of sectarism, and revenge. He would have them forbear and forgive. So too, when the combined enmity of his foes was about to fall on his own spotless head, he could have prayed to the Father, and he would have sent more than twelve legions of angels to his rescue, yet he did not seek thus to be revenged. He knew what was in man, the darkness and blindness of the human mind, and he chose rather to forgive. Yes, and the inimitable prayer in their behalf, "Father forgive them," went up from his expiring lips, accompanied by the excuse for their conduct, "they know not what they do. Oh! what love was that! Jesus loved them notwithstanding their hearts were filled with the ranklings of bitterness towards him. Yes, Jesus loved man, irrespective of his religious faith or character; he loved him as the child of the Father, the offspring of the universal Parent. He loved all mankind, and he died for all, as the most incontestible proof of that love. He loved the Jew, but not because he was a Jew. He

loved the Gentile, but not simply as a Gentile. He loved the disciple, but not merely because he was a disciple, for he loved him before he was a disciple, and this love was the reason of his calling him to be a disciple. But he loved them all as members of one great family, equally near and dear to the great Father of.all. No sect or party were sufficiently perfect to be peculiar favorites of the Savior. Had he found any in a state of moral perfection, he would probably have told them that they needed not his help. "He came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance." The truth is, he came to save no party, but

THE WORLD.

Such is the spirit of christianity, as taught and illustrated by Jesus. Such was the spirit which he gave it, and such is the spirit which it possessers wherever found. It is not the spirit of sectarian Universalism, Calvanism, Arminianism, or any other ism. With sectarism of any kind, it has no fellowship. Its spirit is the spirit of universal benevolence, and its object, the diffusion of universal good. It is, in short, the mighty operation of illimitable love, overcoming hatred, and sin, and all antagonistical principles, by its own Omnipotent energy; a mighty spirit of reform, regenerating man, and raising him from his

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