Page:Sermons preached in the African Protestant Episcopal Church of St. Thomas', Philadelphia.djvu/241

Rh self-aggrandizement. "Verily," as our Saviour said of the Pharisees, "they have their reward." They may obtain the object of their pursuit—"the praise of men;" but the plaudit of Heaven they cannot hope to receive. For all works flowing from such motives, however extolled among men, are in the sight of God of no value. On the other hand, the true Christian is governed in his actions by a due regard to God. His will or word is the regulating principle in all his works and ways. In whatever station Divine Providence sees fit to place him, whether in a public or private—in whatever condition, whether rich or poor, high or low, he makes the will of God as contained in his word the rule by which he acts. This is ever a "lantern unto his feet and a light unto his path." What a wide contrast presents itself between the Pharisaical and the truly godly man. While vain-glory is the only incentive by which the former is moved, the latter is actuated