Page:Sermons preached in the African Protestant Episcopal Church of St. Thomas', Philadelphia.djvu/179

Rh We should redeem the time. 1. From idleness. An idler, one who has no regular employment either for his head or hands, is one of the most miserable and contemptible creatures that society can possibly be infested with. Such an one is not only a misery to himself, but exerts also a most pernicious influence upon all with whom he associates. God created man with active energies; and he evidently designed that he should put them forth to some good purpose, in whatever state of life he may be providentially placed. Active industry is as much a religious duty, as it is indispensable to our temporal comforts. "Be not slothful in business," says the inspired apostle, but "fervent inspir it, serving the Lord." In thus uniting lawful industry, with fervency of spirit, serving the Lord, he evidently designed to give it a sacred character. The reason why active