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DISCOURSE XII.

DANIEL Xii. 2, 3.

AND MANY OF THEM THAT SLEEP IN THE DUST OF THE EARTH SHALL AWAKE; SOME TO EVERLASTING LIFE; AND SOME TO SHAME AND EVERLASTING CONTEMPT; AND THEY THAT BE WISE, SHALL SHINE AS THE BRIGHTNESS OF THE FIRMAMENT; AND THEY THAT TURN MANY TO RIGHTEOUSNESS, AS THE STARS FOR EVER AND EVER.

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In all human pursuits, the first question that we naturally ask ourselves is, What will be the end?' (1) In business or pleasure; in active or contemplative life; in schemes of self-advancement, or in efforts to promote the happiness of others, - some distant eminence is seen in bright perspective, which we regard as the crown and consummation of our wishes. These final results are the grand movers of life; the mainsprings of all social, intellectual, and moral activity. First in conception, and last in attain

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ment, they are habitually kept in view, till the moment of completion. In every stage of the most lengthened process, they impel us to renewed exertion. In every pause of our wearied spirits, they urge us to encounter difficulties, surmount obstacles, endure hardships, each in our several spheres and degrees, but all with a similarity of reference to some future period, when toil shall cease, and when hope shall be lost in the fulness of enjoyment.

This is the universal habit of our nature. Every being who can think and act, has an end in view, which shapes the course of his life, and modifies the character of his mind. (2) The objects thus pursued, are indeed, infinitely various. The creature of vulgar instinct, never looks beyond the minute and visionary shadows of this present world: the man of moral prudence, has an easy standard of social virtue and enjoyment; but the Christian, feels that he is living for eternity, and, therefore, can repose on nothing less immutable, than the Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the original and end of all things. (3) This is the supreme object; this alone, is worthy to occupy and fill the soul of an immortal being; this alone, can serve as an unerring pole-star, to guide us through the waves of a troublesome world; this alone, can lead us to the attainment

of that final blessedness, so nobly embodied in the words of the prophet, that we may awake to everlasting life; that we may shine as the brightness of the firmament; that we may be as the stars, for ever and ever!

But, though our wishes instinctively pant after this glorious consummation; though it realizes, what philosophy, in all ages, has been seeking for, "if haply she might feel after it, and find it ;" though it is fully displayed in the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ; and, through his gracious interference, placed within our grasp, and pressed upon our acceptance, by every motive which can act upon our reason, our affections, our imagination, our hopes, and our fears; though, to every one of us, there is offered power, that we may become the children of God, heirs of everlasting life, partakers of the inheritance of the saints of light, - how few are there, that seek to have those great things realized within themselves! How few, that seriously investigate their truth, or pause, but for a single hour, to contemplate their infinite importance!

Speculative unbelief, indeed, is now happily out of fashion. To the awful and unprecedented events of these latter times, we are, at least, indebted for a most portentous comment on the

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1 Written A.D. 1806.

creed of infidelity.

And in this respect, the

apostles of anarchy and massacre have been made preachers of righteousness, to a desolated world. But though the cavils of scepticism now seldom intermingle with our social intercourse, and the voice of profaneness less frequently wound our ears in cultivated life, can we honestly maintain, that we are yet freed from an infidelity of the heart? Can we look around us, without deploring, that many whose characters are unimpeachable of gross offence, whose stations are respectable and grave, whose demeanor is decent and decorous, whose social and civil qualities deservedly attract much public estimation, — can we avoid deploring, that such persons regard Christianity, with a sort of supercilious scorn? Its ceremonies, indeed, they treat with distant respect; for they are established, by the law of the land. To its dry generalities, they afford a cold speculative assent; for they think religion a good thing for their wives, their children, and for the lower classes of society. But, by their manner, when the strict principles, and steady pursuit of religion, are pressed upon themselves, we too plainly discover, that they despise it in their hearts. (4) "Christ crucified" was, long since, to the Jews a stumbling-block, and to the Greeks foolishness;" and so it is

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to multitudes, at this very day; occupied by vain pursuits; absorbed in earthly speculations; struggling for eminence and for advancement; eager to outstrip their competitors, in the career of wealth and glory; devoted to the frivolities of time, regardless of an awful eternity (5); anxious about the trifles of to-day, forgetful that to-morrow "their dust" may "return to the earth as it was," and their "spirit" may be summoned "unto God who gave it." (6)

Let it not, however, be imagined, that we would stigmatize or depreciate the pursuits of active life. Far from us be such egregious folly! We cannot put them down, if we would; for they are interwoven with the very fibres of civil society. Divine Providence has identified them with the habits, passions, and affections, of mankind. The convictions of our judgment, the events of every hour, the wants of every moment, tell us that they must go on. And we would not put them down, if we could; for, assuredly, it would be no slight indication of growing improvement, if men were to become more diligent, more intellectual, more conversant with subjects which require patient research, comprehensive views, and long-sighted sagacity. Especially, we would not put them down, because, we are assured, that the same infinitely wise Disposer,

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