If a man is honest, industrious, faithful and conscientious, he will be in demand. Such men are always in demand; and, when they are known, can get employment and can keep employment; but a man who is a true Christian, _is_ honest, industrious, careful, temperate, trustworthy and conscientious, because he works and lives not to please men but God. Hence, such a one is always wanted. Employers, rather than give up such men, will increase their salaries and offer them extra inducements. A Main-street merchant found he could not do without Willie Holcombe conveniently, so he raised his salary twenty dollars a month rather than lose him. And, even if they are among strangers, and not known, yet God will turn the hearts of strangers toward them, as he turned the heart of the prison-keeper in Egypt toward Joseph. And when they have a chance to _try_ and to show their value, their employers will not give them up. But then if a man is in business for himself, he will get a large custom if people find out that he does business as a Christian--that is, he does not charge an unjust and exorbitant price, his goods are only what he says they are, he gives full and honest measure, his word can be trusted, he will correct mistakes and take back an article if it is found not to be good. Show people such a man and they will all want to patronize him. William Kendrick was such a man here in Louisville. The Christian man has the _promise of God_ that he shall be provided for--Matthew vi.: 32, 33--while the godless man has no such assurances at all. 2. But religion keeps a man from those vices which destroy the health--as dissipation, debauchery, intemperance, etc.--and health is one of the chief elements in human happiness. 3. Religion keeps men also from those crimes which bring men into ruin and disgrace and bitter remorse. Many a man has come to the jail or penitentiary or gallows who would have escaped it all if he had had religion to protect and shield and restrain and assist him. And many a good and happy man there is who might have been a guilty criminal and a wretched convict but for the grace of God and the lessons and blessings of true religion. He might gradually have been led off and on and on till he would have become capable of committing any crime. I might have been a drunkard or a murderer still, if God had not changed my heart and helped me mightily and constantly by His grace. 4. But religion takes away the fear of death and the dread of the future and gives inward and constant peace--a heart happiness which poverty and disappointment and trials can not destroy. And nothing else can do this but true religion. 5. Religion can release a man from the power of those evil habits which make a man's life miserable--from acquired appetites, as drinking, opium eating, debauchery, licentiousness, swearing, gambling and even from tobacco.