THE
Itaaut^ aruY Stability
OF
SERMON,
DELIVERED AT AUGUSTA, GEORGIA, MAY 6th, 182'J r
at the
DEDICATION
BAPTIST
in that place.
BY THE REV. WILLIAM T. BRANTLY, A. M\
"S >
. . 1 W:
Nihil adeo est quod tam obduret mentee, hoimi/bm, quam simplicitas diviuo-
rum operuoi quse in acta videtur, et mgnificentia quae in effectu repromil-
titnr TbrtuhiAn.
3Cugtt£ta:
printed at the georgia advertiser office-
1821.
4 &c.
PSALM XC 17.
" Let the beauty of the Lord oar God be upon us, and establish viic work of
<mr hands upon us; yea the work of our hands establish thou it."
The ruin of human works supplies a useful lesson
to the extravagance of ambition and pride. The ex¬
tinction of splendor, and the overthrow of greatness,
attest the inherent infirmity of every earthly fabric.—
Time rifles the finest structures and draws over the
brightest forms a dim aspect. All the productions of
man partake of his mortality. The incurable decay
which eats up the strength of his vitality, which cau¬
ses his beauty to die away, which contracts to a point
his whole existence, likewise seizes the work of hie
hands and leaves it a mouldering mass. The wind
passes over it and it totters, the compactness of its
joints is relaxed, the elegance of its proportions is des¬
troyed and its costly appendages thrown down and
mingled with the dust.
In viewing the history of man, the eye glances at a
rapid succession of events, and is startled at its abrupt
germination. His greatest duration leaves an impres
sion like the visions of that repose enjoyed by the un¬
conscious sleeper, or hastens to a close like the toi -
rent poured from the mountain's summit. From such
a scene we turn in sadness, and with a momentary
4
dread apprehend that all things have been made in
vain. Nor do the emotions of despair find relief until
we look at Heaven, nor is that relief effectual until we
descry the result intended by the complex arrange¬
ments of the present life. The light of eternity im¬
parts a genuine glory to the events of our being, and
the work of our hands, when given to God in faith and
piety, acquires perpetuity. The house in which we
are assembled, has employed the labor of our hands,
and now appeals to our devotion. Being formed of
perishable materials and constructed with the proper¬
ties of varying elements, it has nothing to give it that
distinction and stability which we might desire. But
should it be beautified with the divine presence, should
the presiding deity roll over it the brightness of his
grace, should Immanuel here display his power and
love to confer on it a sacred designation, this would be
none other than the house of God and the gate of Hea¬
ven. The attainment of this signal stability for it, will
depend: First—On the truth and certainty of the doc¬
trine of which it is the repository: Secondly—On the
approving tokens of divine regard: Thirdly—On the
imparted beauty of the Lord.
First.—The expense incurred in the support of reli¬
gion would be unjustifiable excess if its doctrines be
visionary and its influence uncertain. However cap¬
tivating it may appear whilst seated on the sublime
height of speculation, if it descend not to refresh and
illuminate the weary spirit in the vale below, it can
have but little claim to our regard. Unless it exert a
friendly influence on all our probation and destiny, we
O
cannot pursue it as an ultimate good; and unless we
can demonstrate your supreme interest in its truths, it
will be impossible for us to satisfy the demand which
you now seem to make, " why do you require such am¬
ple preparations for the support of your worship ?"
To this question we have an answer ready, and that
may be found in the investigation of the first topic an¬
nounced, namely, the truth and certainty of the doc¬
trine of which it is intended to make this house a repo¬
sitory. For let it be observed, that this doctrine has
a wonderful correspondence with our actual condition;
that it exerts a distinguished power in our experience,
and opens very consistent views of our immortality.
The views of the divine government, as displayed in
scripture, accord with the intimations of reason and na¬
ture. The idea of a proper legislation is the establish¬
ment of laws and the publication of their penalties and
provisions. Were it possible for laws to be formed,
which should take effect upon the transgressor with¬
out the intervention of a trial or a judge, they would be
infinitely perfect, nor could any one impute it to such
institutions as a fault, that in their operation they dis¬
pensed with the ordinary forms of justice.* From the
very condition of our being, we perceive that crimes
are punished, that licentiousness, intemperance, and
profligacy are often visited with a signal measure of
punitive justice. It deserves notice, how well the in¬
dications of this justice agree with the declarations of
scripture. " God is angry with the wicked every day,
he will by no means acquit the guilty, the face of the
* Butler.
6
Lord is against them that do evil, he that sitteth in the
heavens shall laugh, the Lord shall have them in deri¬
sion. He shall speak to them in his wrath, and vex
them in his sore displeasure."
In our natural state we are helpless and unprotected.
Secluded from each other, and confined to the solitude
of an uncivilized being, we should wander from place
to place without a single satisfaction to cheer the
dreary scene. Hence the formation of society becomes
one of the earliest efforts of nature, and is indispensi-
ble to the general good of our species. With this dis¬
position of nature accords the spirit of social union ex¬
hibited in the gospel. The society which it organizes
is not an embodied mass ofjarring members, but a love¬
ly fraternity, cemented by the strong principles of an
affection rational and pure. It is a community into
which must enter all the offices of benevolence, and all
the sympathies of a relieving kindness. From it must be
excluded the passions that war against peace, the sel¬
fishness that would seek its own to the exclusion of an¬
other's, and the ambition that would aspire to unequal
honors. It challanges from every observer the admir¬
ing exclamation, " Behold how good and how plea¬
sant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity, as the
dew of Hermon and as the dew that descended upon
the mountains of Zion, for there the Lord commanded
the blessing even life forevermore."
The Author of divine truth, knowing what was in
man, has rendered the methods of mercy suitable to
the ends intended to be accomplished. Our experi¬
ence must of itself be sufficient to teach us how wholly
7
unable we are to effect any great change in the state
of our heart. It is a remote and interior province over
which we can exercise very little control. Its decep¬
tions so numerous, its apathy to good so deplorable,
its impotency in every holy act so manifest, its spiritual
death so dark and dismal, as to render it incapable of
rising from the depths of its native guilt and weakness.
This moral stupor was known to the Author and Finish¬
er of our faith, who has therefore taught us that it is
God that worketh in us both to will and to do his good
pleasure; that by the application of a divine energy to
our slumbering faculties, we are roused from the sleep
of spiritual death and conducted to the apprehensions
and joys of anew life, and made his willing people in
the day of his power.
The law was given by Moses, but grace and truth
came by Jesus Christ. He introduced a doctrine free
from emblematic shadows, and certain in the realities
of a searching application. In every part of this doc¬
trine we descry the members of a system formed and
executed in the spirit of amazing benevolence to our
race. It clearly stands as a grand prescription for the
maladies of our moral nature, and has been suited
with striking wisdom to all the features of the disease.
This adaptation of the remedy to the malady is a cor¬
respondence in facts full of convincing rhetoric in the
cause of religion. For in our whole condition are the
visible traces of a woful derangement. We have be¬
come the subjects of a baleful tyrant and have imbibed
the poison of his stupefying principles. Sin has not
merely tarnished and soiled us, but has pervaded our
8
whole nature, has debased our affections, vilified our
reason, and perverted our judgment. It has so blend¬
ed its ruinous qualities with the very frame and texture
of our soul as to become the arbiter of our conduct in
every pursuit. It is not a superficial evil, but pene¬
trates the recesses of the heart, lives and reigns in the
inmost foldings of our complex nature. What can be
foui.d to stay its progress and repress its rage ? The
course of this vast torrent will not be stopt, nor divert¬
ed by the straws which float on its surface. This in¬
veterate disease will not be healed by soothing emol¬
lients. Under the arts of unavailing reason it will be¬
come more desperate. The gospel, and that only, pre¬
scribes the proper remedy. Tell us if you know any
truths so penetrating, any convictions for sin so perma¬
nent, any restraints so effectual, any authority so com¬
manding, as that which the wisdom from above contains ?
Tell us if there be any reformation so complete, any
abhorrence of sin so cordial, any retention of pure and
virtuous principles so unwavering as that required in
the religion of Jesus ? In a word, tell us if any other
system ever yet became the instrument of a moral re¬
novation to its advocates, which, entering with holy
light the dark soul, explores all its purposes and ten¬
dencies, regenerates, expands and ennobles all its
powers.
We have no source of knowledge more certain than
experience. In the investigation of any series of
truths, whether of historical facts or of mathematical
demonstration, the mind becomes conscious of a cer¬
tain influence, resulting from the views which it may
9
have embraced. If we be required to certify to others
the existence of this influence, we can say nothing
more conclusive, than that we have experienced it.—
In comparing the events of history, we have felt a new
impression of the human character; in passing through
the steps of a mathematical process, we have felt an
expansion of understanding in many instances surpris¬
ing ; and yet the only ground of certainty which we
can have, must lie in an appeal to our past and present
experience. In the case of an undissembled believer,
the mind is brought within the range of the most'as¬
tonishing and sacred truths. It stands in contact with
holy things. The ground is holy. Heaven is opened
to its admiring gaze. Angels ascend and descend.—
Forms of God-like majesty, images of awful grandeur,
powers of light and beauty strike the inmost sense.—
To such a mind is presented the most affecting evi¬
dences of mercy and grace. Jesus Christ is evidently
set forth crucified for sin; in the greatness of his
strength he accomplishes the work of redemption, and
in doing this he assumes an inferior nature, and be¬
comes conversant with the groans and sufferings of a
fallen species. Under the view of such truths, the
believing heart is subjected to a mighty influence, it
trembles, adores, and burns. New conceptions of the
divine character are formed, and a change which
affects all the powers of the soul is felt. In this trans¬
formation is recognized the essential change so often
referred to in the language of scripture. Old things
pass away and all things become new. We are created
T>
JO
anew iii Christ Jesus. The certainty of this moral
transition is inferred from the actual experience of our
past and present life; and so long as we can identify
ourselves in these two periods of our history, so long
must we possess the high assurances of indwelling light
and grace.
Hence is derived a very convincing attestation to
the truth of scripture. For, how can the certainty of
any system be better verified than by the production
of those results which it has promised ? A body of laws
must establish proper claims to authority and respect
by securing in operation the obedience and protection
of those for whom they were intended. A system of
morals must authenticate its professions by the saluta¬
ry effects that appear in the lives of its adherents. A
theory in any art or science acquires respect only in
proportion as it makes good its promises. Now, those
who have surrendered themselves to the influence
of the gospel, have unquestionably felt and exhibited
what that gospel proposed to accomplish for them.—
The adamant of the heart has been mitigated, the
daring impenitence of the transgressor has been sub¬
dued; the grovelling sinner has been taught to look
at Heaven. This is not imaginary, but certain, not
speculation but fact. God, who commanded the light
to shine out of.darkness, hath shined in our heart.
The belief of the soul's immortality has prevailed in
all ages. With the very constitution of our nature is in¬
terwoven the desire of living and perpetuating the
capacity of actual sensation. Nothing but the crimin-
11
ality of a guilty life can make annihilation appear de¬
sirable ; and none but those who have yielded without
reserve to all the impulse of a nature at variance w ith
God and all goodness could ever wish to take refuge in
this dark and sullen position. What can be thought
of those who would extinguish in a moment the fire of
that spirit which pants for eternity ? By what cruelly
can they be actuated who would drag dow n from the
eminence on which it has perched, that hope which
with eagle gaze views the glowing objects of eternity,
and flies with haste to seize the prize? Nature re¬
volts at such shocking profanation, desires to retain
this conscious and intelligent being, and to go forward
to explore the dread realities. On her trembling-
solicitudes, the disclosures of revelation shed a happy
lustre. There we see death abolished, and life and
immortality brought to light. There we see the great
tyrant vanquished and led captive at the triumphal car
of our Redeemer.
In the common mode of judging, we form very im¬
perfect apprehensions of the extent of that blessing
which the Saviour has given in displaying the light of
immortality. To appreciate his merit in this respect,
we must turn and view the fearful condition from
which he has delivered us. The ideas which we form
of death are always mitigated by the light which Jesus
has shed upon its dark abode. We contemplate the
tyrant conquered, and the monster in chains; he is
therefore measurably divested of his terrors. But if
we would see the power and terror of a tyrant, we
n
must view him in the fulness of his dominion, and in the
extent of his reign. He must be observed in the
pride of his triumphs, carrying dismay to every oppos¬
ing power. Desolation attends his march, and victory
crowns his efforts. The power and ferocity of the
Lion must be seen not in his confined and conquered
state, when he submits to the will of man, but whilst
roaming through the forest in all the superiority of
his strength and fierceness, he strikes with dread every
creature. So, if we would know what death is, we
must view it reigning and conquering. We must lift
up our eyes to the perpetual desolations. We must
behold its dismal trophies in the extinction of light,
and life, and felicity; in the roar of thunders, in the
pitchy darkness that rolls in hideous volumes, in the
gloom of a silence never broken by one cheering echo.
How must come recommended to our acceptance that
light which pours its streams upon this chaos, this em¬
pire of death, and reveals the eternal subjugation of
the Tyrant!
Secondly:—We were to observe, that the stability
of our work depends on the approving tokens of divine
regard.
Whilst we allow that success is not an invariable
criterion of merit in any cause, we must maintain that
a cause wholly without success would encounter a
very practical argument against its worth. We can
never be surprised at the prevalence of a plan which
accommodates its requirements to the taste, habits,
and fashion of its supporters; which enforces no ex-
13
pediunts adverse to their temper, and courts them by &
supple compliance with their native desires. But we
may be reasonably surprised at the advancement of a
system which throws innumerable obstacles in the
way of nature's regular course; which meets every
heedless impulse with a veto; which glories in nothing
more than in being at war with our inclinations. Yet,
through all this opposition, does the truth of God make
its way. Its success, though not uniform, has been
certain, and in the majesty of its march has it conquered
inveterate foes. Its mildness made it appear an unfit
instrument to subdue the daring ferocity of pagan er¬
rors; and that it should have been victorious in the
struggle, is a manifest token of protection and favour
from Heaven. Such tokens the Church of Christ has
experienced in successive ages; not only when it
had to contend with the iron obduracy of heathen
hate, and animosity, and pour out its best blood as
the seal of its faith; but when groaning under the
oppressions of papal tyranny its martyrs resisted the
encroachments of a polluted hierarchy, and contended
against an apostate church for the faith once delivered
to the saints. God was in the midst of his faithful
people and preserved for himself a devoted remnant.—
Even throughout the dark ages, when defection from
the pristine purity of doctrine became general, we
trace the vestiges of an uncorrupt Church like stars
that twinkle in the midnight gloom. Through the
enormous addition of human rites and observances,
tvp can see the current of an unadulterated doctrine,
14
running like the limped stream through swamps and
marshes. To suppose that this rectitude of doctrine
and discipline could have existed without divine help,
would be as absurd as to think that a spark could live
in the raging ocean.
In forming a scheme for the conversion of mankind,
what mind would ever have devised one so improbable
as the cross of Christ. To human wisdom it would
have appeared an idle phrenzy to think of reducing a
rebellious people to allegiance by the unmixed scan¬
dal of an ignominous crucifixion. Of all improbable
plans, this might have seemed the most unpromising.
Yet, behold what wonders were accomplished by the
unvarnished majesty of this simple fact. Without any
of the aids of learning, of authority, or eloquence;
with none of the ingenious sophistries of the schools;
without any elaborate discussions, or studied appeals
to the pasbions, we see humble, unassuming men car¬
rying in triumph a religion obnoxious to the repulsive
spirit of human pride and ambition. They had the
approving tokens of divine regard. Their gospel be¬
came the power of God and the wisdom of God to them
that believed; and their work, which in itself would
have been the derision of every idler, when confirmed
by the hand of the Lord, supplied to thousands the
elements of a new life; struck terror into the opposing
ranks of sin; subverted the rites which antiquity had
consecrated, and organised communities for the wor¬
ship of one God and one Mediator. Nor has their case
been one of uncommon occurrence. The effects of
15
that preaching in which Christ crucified is the leading
theme, are still stupendous. It contains the power ofa
mysterious attraction. The solemn echo from groan¬
ing Calvary is the eloquence which persuades men.—
Here shines the true morality,—here virtue improves
into devotion; here the soul catches the fire of holy
inspiration, and rises to assert its kindred with the
spirits of the just.
In memorable instances the Lord has visited his
people with times of refreshing from his presence.—
No tokens are more grateful than those which evince
the Spirit's power in giving life and energy to the word.
Whatever may be the sneers of the unbelieving, or the
more formal cavillings of those who are contented with
the mere prose of piety, it must be admitted that an
unaccountable religious excitement does often prevail
in places where the means of grace are observed. In
these cases, the young and the old, the enlightened
and the ignorant, have been equally affected. A sur¬
prising influence has turned to the exulting ways of
Zion those who were wandering in the devious paths
of sin. The impetuosity of youthful guilt has been
stayed, and the hoary veteran in the world's service
has been brought to a temper soft and relenting. Songs
of deliverance have succeeded the clamor of unsanc-
tified revelry, and many have met us on our way with
that cheering declaration, "We will go with you be¬
cause we have heard that God is with you." These
are the festive scences, my brethren, which impart a
holy aspect to our earthly temples. Neither corn, nor
16
wine, nor oil can afford such joy. There is a heaven-
born melody in the songs of redeemed souls. Their
music floats along the lengthened desolations of Jeru¬
salem, and the wilderness rejoices. The chorus which
they swell falls in melting ecstacies on the pensive
bosom of mourning Zion. It is the joy of saints.
The preservation of personal religion in the hear!
can be the effect only of divine agency, and therefore is
an approving manifestation of divine regard. We
have a natural reluctance to comply with the self de¬
nying restrictions and exercises of religion. If any
progress is made, it must be in spite of a counter in¬
fluence. Like the tide which beats upon the margin
of the ocean, we appear to lose by frequent recessions
what we had gained in progress, and by many devia¬
tions from the direct course of our journey, seem to
have made no advancement. Yet, in all these varia
tions and wanderings, we are held by the power ot
God, and the good work is going on in our heart. God
holds up our soul, and though the retarding power of
sin, like the force of gravitation acting upon an ascend¬
ing body, would cause us to relapse to our original
state, yet the impulsive energy continues to act, and
we are sustained in our flight for heaven by the invi¬
sible agency of the Holy Spirit. How much reason
have we then to live and act in the spirit of the Psalm¬
ist's prayer, " Hold thou me up that I fall not."
It is unusual for any church to enjoy uninterrupted
prosperity in its religious state. The increase of its
numbers often adds nothing to the amount of piety,
17
but frequently hinders the regular course of discipline.
A morbid state in its spiritual health may render it im¬
patient of searching and salutary truths; whilst those
faithful ministers who would reclaim it from a false
taste and from growing delusions are discarded and
others obtained of smoother speech and less offensive
dialect. This unhappy disposition would lead to the
extinction of all genuine religion, were it not that God
leaves even in the midst of such a declining Church,
an afflicted and poor people who trust in his name.—
These faithful witnesses take their stand among Zion's
wastes; they lift up the voice like a trumpet, they
cry aloud and spare not, until they have shewed the
house of Israel their sin. Happy is that people where
these faithful watchmen are to be found.
The third ground of stability for the work of our
hands is the imparted beauty of the Lord. The terms
" beauty of the Lord" may be taken either in a par¬
ticular or general sense, and the latitude of which
their import is susceptible allows us to invite your at¬
tention to several important particulars.
1—There can be no beauty in a system without
proportion and consistency of parts. A civil discord
among the members will destroy all the loveliness
of any plan, and will exhibit the confusion of jarring
elements, instead of the according movements of a
well adjusted scheme. In our earthly temples we
set before you the plan of salvation. This must be
formed of many parts, and must depend upon many
great principles. If the justice of God forbid the
salvation of sinners, and we come to you as the mere
C
13
advocates of an unavailing mercy, attempting "to set
at odds Heaven's jarring attributes," and to wound
one excellence by exalting another, then are we the
preachers of an impracticable system, and instead of
leading you in in the right way only bewilder and per.
plex you. But in the plan which we present the
beauty of the Lord shines with holy light. There
mercy and truth have met together, righteousness
and peace have kissed each other. There God can
be just, and the justifier of him who believes in Jesus.
There the divine attributes act in glorious harmony
to repair the ruins of the fall, and to restore us to ho¬
liness and felicity.
2.—A system which effects this must have some
ground of harmony, some common point of union for
all its members. This we find in the Mediator of the
new covenant. There Christ is all and in all. In his
bitter passion and ignominious death are the grand
atonement, the illustrious reconciliation, by which
all the justice and all the mercy of heaven can ope¬
rate in man's deliverance. Without Christ the work
of our hands in building houses of worship is ostenta¬
tion and pride. Without Christ the God, all our
preaching would be bellowing to the wind, and the
vaporing of idle declaimers. Christ must live in all
our work, otherwise it will be deformed and incon¬
gruous ; not an undeified Christ, but he that thought
it not robbery to be equal with God; not the Christ,
to be found in the bold fictions of modern innovators,
but the God manifest in the flesh, who forms the pro¬
minent theme in all the writings of the Apostles. This
19
is the name that beautifies our temples—obliterate
this name, and you pull down the whole edifice, you
take from it at once all that gives it firmness and ele¬
gance, all that consolidates its parts, and ensures its
perpetuity.
3.—The unity of all its worshipping assembly is re¬
quisite to confer a true lustre upon the house of the
Lord. No sight is more engaging than an adoring fra¬
ternity, breathing the spirit of love, and raising with
one consent the notes of praise to God. Charity is the
ornament of christian societies, the bond of perfect-
ness, the ligament of integrity. It binds together all
the individuals of the body, gives them the appearance
of one family, and makes them terrible as an army
with banners. Judge in what estimation the concord
of brethren should be held from the deep earnestness
with which the apostle pours out his whole vehemence
in recommending it. " If there be therefore any con¬
solation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellow¬
ship of the spirit, if any bowels, and mercies, fulfil ye
myjoy, that ye be like minded, having the same love,
being of one accord, of one mind." Judge for your¬
selves the beauty of a harmonious people from the
hideous evils of a contending and divided community.
There every virtue languishes, and nothing grows but
a spirit of insolent captiousness, and bitter recrimina¬
tion. There are wrestlings, not with sin and satan,
but brother against brother, and man with man. The
consequence usually is that Churches are divided,
the cause of religion is brought into disrepute, and a
g^evjous prostration exhibited of order, peace, and
2U
good will. In the commencement of our worship in
this house such evils should be deprecated with ardent
prayer to Almighty God. This Church cannot exist
in the midst of collisions and controversies. In such
an element it will die. If we wish it to have an abi¬
ding comeliness, let us bring into it the graces of meek¬
ness, humility, and love. Let us repel from it envy,
strife, and malice, that we may flourish together as
trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord.
4.—When it may be said in reference to this House,
" this and that man were born there," it will have an¬
swered the designs of its founders, and must appear
intimately connected with the great building above.—
From these humble walls, then, let us raise our expect¬
ing eyes to the House not made with hands. Survey
the brilliant scene of the Heavenly Jerusalem, and let
your hearts exult in the dazzling prospect. Golden
streets, walls of sparkling jasper, living seats of unmea¬
sured extent, the opulence of delight that grows into
boundless glories, shall there remunerate our toil and
refresh our weary sculs.
Friends and Brethren of other denominations, who
have assisted us in the erection of this House, we have
now set before you a hasty sketch of the principles by
which we intend to regulate our ministry in this place.
We court no invidious distinctions—we seek no pre¬
eminence. Wishing to be identified with those who
are fellow-workers together with God, we receive with
christian satisfaction the friendly countenance with
which you have beheld this work. That your liberal
contributions should have enabled us to accomplish
u
our design amidst an unexampled pressure of com¬
mercial difficulties, is a most decided evidence of your
friendly disposition towards the object. Let us cul¬
tivate the spirit of brotherly love, and live as one com¬
munity. Our circumstantial differences should not
influence the opinion which we form of each other.—
These minor shades will soon be lost in the blaze of
ultimate glory. As expectants of one Heaven, and
followers of one Lord, let us unite for the common in¬
terests ofZion. We have enemies enough from with¬
out, and should therefore cultivate the spirit of bene¬
volence among ourselves. The Bible has united pro-
testant christians. The bonds of a common experi¬
ence, the belief of the Saviour's Divinity, the language
and the likeness common to all the family of Christ,
must cause us to feel for each other a sympathetic ten¬
derness.
Brethren of this Church and congregation: We
have now before us a solemn work, and this day do
we assume engagements which must add weight to
our eternal responsibilities. We seem to assert be¬
fore Heaven and Earth, that God has required this
House at our hands, and our conduct must corres¬
pond with this assertion. By this solemn dedication
we renew our profession, and presenting ourselves in
the Tabernacles of the Lord, plainly declare that we
are seeking admission into the upper Sanctuary. By
this act we religiously addict ourselves to Heaven;
we call men and angels to witness the vows which are
offered to God; we invoke all that is glorious and
cheering in his promises, and all that is awful in his
m
character. This house must be the means either of
drawing us nearer the Lord, or of confirming our alien¬
ation from him. The cause in which we are to be
active, is one of just and serious expectation. With¬
out the zeal, without the love, without the self-denying
activity, without the unblemished deportment, without
the prayerfulness of all its members, and without the
fostering care oflmmanuel, an infant church as this is
will not grow. Bring hither, then, the feeling heart
and the judging head. Bring to this place your pray¬
ers and your alms; bring your sons and your daugh¬
ters here and tell them of God and Eternity. Bring
your joys here and attest the goodness of the Lord.—
Bring the heart that throbs with grief, and pour out
your sorrows before God. Bring on your hearts the
world that lies in wickedness, and intreat the display
of God's saving health. In a word, bring yourselves,
a living sacrifice, holy, and acceptable .to God.