"But what saith the Holy Scriptures? In the Bible the word occurs but five times, and is once used in reference to 'our religion,' (Acts 26: 5); twice to Jews' religion, (Gal. 1: 13, 14); and once to 'vain religion,' (James 1: 26); and once, in the language of our text, to 'pure religion.' Thus four kinds of religion are mentioned in the Bible, and but one of them is good. Four kinds of religion are found in the world, Jewish, Pagan, Mohammedan, Christian, and but one of them is good. This accords with the parable Jesus spake of the sower. The good seed fell on four kinds of ground, the wayside, among thorns, on stony ground, on good ground; four kinds, but only one brings forth fruit. So 'our religion' 'Jews' religion' and 'vain religion' bring forth no acceptable fruit to God; but 'pure religion' is like the good soil which brings forth 'some thirty, some sixty, and some one hundred fold.' Thus do the facts of history and of Scripture correspond. "The word religion means to _bind_, as it puts a restraint upon our conduct and passions, and unites the soul to God, to good people and to virtuous actions. Pure religion is the soul's ornament; its fruits are the ornament of the life. To illustrate this subject further, I shall explain pure religion to be: first, purity of spirit; second, kindness and benevolence of practice." After portraying the Christian spirit as one of meekness, as merciful, tender, forgiving, peaceful and patient, as valiant, as charitable, as contented and devout, he proceeds to show the practical fruits of the spirit he has portrayed in alleviating the sorrows of life. In describing pure religion, Mr. Badger sees fit to correct the following error:-- "One of the greatest errors which has ever infested the church militant, is that of having our fellowship bounded by a theory, opinion, or creed. While this exists, division, misery and ruin are spread through all the flock of God. While a party name or creed is valued higher than _experience_, it is no wonder that we are divided. But whenever the scene is reversed, when rectitude of spirit and practice shall outweigh the poor inventions of men and become the criterion of fellowship, there shall then be one fold and one shepherd; watchmen shall see eye to eye, and the people shall lift up their voice together. "'We'll not bind a brother's conscience, This alone to God is free; Nor contend for non-essentials, But in Christ united be.'" After speaking of the kind offices which Christian sympathy extends to the widow, he alludes to the fostering, paternal care it spreads over the path of the orphan, in the following strain:--