A Sermon, Delivered Before His Excellency Edward Everett, Governor, His Honor George Hull, Lieutenant Governor, the Honorable Council, and the Legislature of Massachusetts, on the Anniversary Election, January 2, 1839Hopkins, Mark
Religion
A Sermon, Delivered Before His Excellency Edward Everett, Governor, His Honor George Hull, Lieutenant Governor, the Honorable Council, and the Legislature of Massachusetts, on the Anniversary Election, January 2, 1839
Hopkins, Mark
Election sermons -- Massachusetts; Sermons, American
On the other hand, as the idea of God is received, and his relations
to the universe are intimately felt, unity and harmony are introduced
into our conceptions of that which is without, and acquiescence and
hope reign within. Nature, as more significant, becomes more a
companion. Her quiet teachings and mute prophecies, her indexes
pointing to the spirit land, instead of being felt as a mockery, are
in accordance with the best hopes, and the revealed destiny of man.
Life, too, assumes a new aspect. A common destiny is set before all,
and the consciousness of it runs as a thread of sympathy through the
race. The poor man is elevated when he sees that the principle of duty
may be tried and strengthened in his humble sphere, as well as in
those that are higher, and his labor becomes a cheerful service done
with good will from the heart. Every duty to man becomes doubly
sacred as due also to God, and the humblest life, pursued from a
conscientious regard to his will, is invested with an unspeakable
dignity. It is indeed, I may remark, this view of life that furnishes
the only possible ground of equality. Men are upon an equality only as
they are equally upon trial in the sight of God, and nothing will ever
reconcile them to the unavoidable inequalities of the present state,
but the consciousness that their circumstances were allotted to them
by Him who best knew what trials they would need, and whose equal eye
regards solely the degree in which their moral nature is improved by
the trial. When this is felt, there is, under all circumstances, a
basis for dignity without pride, for activity without restlessness,
for diversity of condition without discord.
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