Page:Sermons preached in the African Protestant Episcopal Church of St. Thomas', Philadelphia.djvu/166

162 Let us inquire now, what influence this subject should have upon our life and conduct. Should the thought, that in a few days we shall be in the world of spirits, have the effect of filling our minds with superstitious dread, and of imbittering our whole lives with the fearful apprehension of death? No. This course would have the tendency of rendering our lives still shorter, and would be contrary to sound reason, and contrary to God's express command:—"Thou shalt not kill." Again, because our days are few, should we therefore leave all converse with our fellow-men, seclude ourselves in some retired cell, and there spend our time in mortifying the body for the good of the soul? This would be a superstitious absurdity, but no part of Christian duty. Utter seclusion from the world is nowhere enjoined. The Bible addresses us as members of society, and enjoins upon each in his vocation and calling to serve the Lord faithfully—"to glorify God in body and