"No energy should be suffered to slumber, no rational and scriptural means should be left unimproved, for the conversion of sinners, and the perfection and holiness of the church of God. In such exciting times as these, what a steady and constant care should every Christian exercise in order to 'discern between the precious and the vile,' and be suitably guarded against the extravagant inventions of men, which direct the mind from Christ and from that holy work which devolves upon our hands as disciples. How many have followed vain speculations and empty theories until they have lost their Christian meekness and zeal, and have become proud, haughty, heady, self-righteous sectarians, the sport of the infidel, or stumbling-block to sinners, and a reproach to the cause of God. In this state of things, ministers should be awake, divested of the world, harnessed for the holy war, and, in Christian meekness, should lay the axe at the root of every evil tree, whether within or without the church. In this view of things, I have not dared to engage in any worldly enterprise, and now feel strong, as in my youth, to go forth into the harvest of the Lord. It will be thirty years next August since I engaged in the work of the ministry. I mourn that I have done no more good. The past year, I have preached as many sermons, and labored as hard, as in any other year of my life, and I trust it has not been in vain. To be useful to the souls of men, to produce a healthy and saving influence in the church, should be the great motive to govern all good ministers of our Lord. With this object in view, every man who puts forth an untiring effort will assuredly see the fruit of his labor."