"Never did I arise in this congregation under a greater sense of my responsibility, than on this occasion. Never did I come before you with a subject of greater magnitude. Divest religion of purity, and a subject of horror, misery, and disgrace is presented. Religion has been the cause of wars; has divided kingdoms; has imprisoned the saints; has lighted the fagots about the disciples of Jesus, and has even in this favored city banished the Baptist and hung the humble Quaker; but this was not the religion of my text. But turn from those scenes of superstition and misery, and _add_ to religion the word _pure_, and all is changed; all is meekness, simplicity and heaven. The horrors of death are dispelled, a world of glory and immortality is opened to the reflecting soul of man. By its influence the sorrowful widow receives comfort, the weeping orphan smiles, circumstances of misfortune are sanctified, the poor are enriched, the sick are supported, and the chamber of death is illuminated with the gracious smiles of the Son of God. Pure religion requires no fagot to light it, no science to adorn it, no human arm to defend it, and no carnal weapon to enforce it. "The word religion, in its common acceptation, is applied to the four great bodies of worshippers which divide our World, Jews, Pagans, Mohammedans, and Christians. The Jews' religion embraces a belief in one God in one person, with the practice of those legal rites enjoined by the law of Moses; but it rejects the Messiah, and hopes in one yet to come. The Pagan religion embraces all that part of mankind who are involved in the worship of idols. The Mohammedan religion embraces a belief in one God, and in Mahomet as his Apostle; whilst the word Christian is applied to all who believe that Christ has come in the flesh, which includes all professed Christians.