sition to the revealed will of
God, and consequently to the best interests of the community; the
reformation of its institutions that are evil, but that may be improved,
and the destruction of those that are essentially corrupt; the adoption
of new measures suited to the progress of the development, physical,
intellectual, moral, and religious, of the society; and above all, the
countenance and support of the Church of God in the enjoyment of all her
privileges; are objects claiming the devoted attention of every one who
has the least claim to be considered a worthy member of civil society,
and which, from the very nature of society, according to the law of God,
are incumbent on every one who enjoys its privileges.

To classes of men of whatever kind. Every one ought to promote the
welfare of his neighbour. "Am I my brother's keeper?" is, in every age,
the motto only of the murderer. The wretchedness or guilt of our
neighbour ought not to repel us from, but rather to attract us to him,
to alleviate his sufferings, or administer admonition, or give
direction, or encouragement, or assistance, of whatever nature. From
those who are members of evil confederations we should not be kept back,
but, while avoiding the means of temptation to sin, be led to urge them
to dissociate themselves from societies that would lead them to ruin,
and to connect with others that tend to happiness and peace and honour.
The ignorant we ought to instruct and endeavour to reform; the
irreligious we ought to warn, and, in a spirit of true compassion, to
use means to turn from the error of his way; and the obstinately wicked
we ought to mourn over, and beseech to seek unto God. "He which
converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from
death, and shall hide a multitude of sins."[280] And our enemies we
ought to forgive, and by kindness seek to reclaim. To the good we should
be drawn, not merely for our own advantage, but for theirs. Their
excellencies we ought to imitate, and to endeavour, if possible, to
increase and render more effective; and their society, in order to the
advancement of the interests of truth, we should cultivate. To the
intelligent and wise we should be drawn, that we may be wise, and their
influence for good may be reflected back to the utmost, even though in
measure small, upon themselves; and to the religious, that, encouraged
in prosecuting the way to the eternal inheritance, they may have, in
increas