Page:The rock of wisdom.djvu/54

 that we might be useful men in our generation. Money, we have none to give to them, but the sincere prayer, we intend to offer up unto God in their behalf, that they may prosper in time., and at the last day, we hope that they may enter the fair gates of glory, and there to spend a glorious eternity; for prayer will do more good in time, than in eternity: we shall then experience rest with God. "I was glad when they said unto me, let us go up unto the house of the Lord;" this will do more good than the world full of your monuments, for all these things will fail but the word of God will stand forever. But what shall we then do brethren, shall we cease from good works; shall we forsake charity? God by no means permitteth us to do this; but that we should be constant in performing with diligence and alacrity of mind, every good work. The Lord the maker of all excellent in his work, for lie established the heavens by his high and mighty power, and adorned them with his incomprehensible wisdom, he divided the earth also, from the waters, surrounded and placed them upon the foundation of his own will as a firm tower The animals likewise, with which it is filled he commanded to he his own; the sea also, and the living creatures therein. He first created by his power, a being most excellent of all, and exalted in the highest decree, by the dignity of intelligent man, in the image of his own likeness, and with sacred and sinless hands; all these, when he had surveyed, he blessed. Having this example then, let us diligently obey his will, and with all our stregnth, work the work of righteousness. Beloved, how precious and wonderful are the gifts of God; life in immortality, glory in justice, truth in liberty, faith in confidence, temperance in holiness, all which are certainly known unto us; how great then, must be those things, which are prepared for those who wait upon the Lord, the holy creator and farther of ages ! Knowing their extent, and their beauty, let us, therefore, seriously endeavor to be found among the number of those who look for him, so that we may be made partakers of his promised gifts. But in what manner, beloved is this to be done. If our thoughts are established by faith in God: if we diligently seek after those things which are pleasing and acceptable unto him: if we have done those things which