r
these circumstances we must and will invade their rights; provided
that our interests are enhanced thereby. I have said that this innate
principle of cupidity must be overcome before we can love God or our
neighbor. The question present itself, how? By what means or agency?
The gospel of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ was promulgated for
this special purpose. By what agency? Through the pervading influence
of the Holy Ghost shed abroad in our hearts, purifying our corrupt
natures. To whom was this gospel committed? The church of Christ. We
look then to the church of Christ for its promulgation, and an
application of its principles. But some branches of the church are so
corrupt that we can no longer look to them as the depositories of
truth, righteousness and justice. Our Saviour sowed good seed, and the
devil sowed tares; and the tares have grown and multiplied until they
have nearly superseded the product of the good seed. But the
difficulty does not stop here, for we find, at this time, multitudes
who have crept into every branch of Christ's church, who give
incontestible evidence that they are under the influence of the worst
passions and propensities of the human heart. Who are devoid of every
principle of the Christian religion. What is their object? What are
the motives of such persons when they attach themselves to the
different branches of Christ's church? Search your hearts ye whited
sepulchers, and tell me what was your leading object when you became
church members? Tell me, was it to serve God? No, for ye continue to
serve the devil with more alacrity than formerly. Shall I hold you up,
naked and deformed as ye are, or shall I forbear? The truth must be
told, be the consequence what it may. It was not your intention when
ye entered the pale of the church, to place yourselves in such a
position as would enable you more effectually to serve either the
Author of your existence, or the father of lies. You made a profession
of religion in order to serve yourselves. You designed nothing more
nor less than to make a profession of religion subserve your business,
profession or avocation; or else, give you character and notoriety in
the world. Here now is the principle of self-love, selfishness,
self-aggrandizement, prompting men to attach themselves to the
different branches of Christ's church.

The politician contemplated, no doubt, that by becoming a church
member he would secure the suffrages and the influe