Discourse

read from the sixth chapter of Hebrews, commencing at the first verse, and then said: ¶

Systems live, but never die. This work, which many had thought was breaking up, still moved onward unchanged, while individuals that failed in the performance of duty became forgotten among men. The man who was faithful to duty and to the trust reposed in him, lived in the hearts and memories of his fellows. Luther, for example, stood out in bold relief to-day, and was looked up to and revered as the father of religious liberty; while he who, in anguish of soul exclaimed, “If I had served my God as I served my king, He would not have cast me off in my old age," could only excite pity. ¶

Duty was the path of safety; it was the road to greatness, immortality and eternal lives. The speaker did not desire to reflect on the failures of men, but to encourage those who had not yet been fully put to the test, and would admonish all such to so live that they might he prepared to stand it manfully when it comes. To do this, one must keep the commandments, he must live godly in Christ Jesus, and by every word that proceeded from the mouth of God. When he did wrong, he must repent and mend his ways, and he must not rest satisfied till he enjoys sweet communion with the Holy Spirit, holding himself ready always to sacrifice self for the benefit of the many; he must seek for and obtain the love of God and entertain a righteous desire to help forward the purposes of God irrespective of personal ends; he must love God more than man. When a man will do this he represents faithfully the cause of God, and proves by his actions that he seeks first the kingdom, and trusts his Maker for the outcome. ¶