0830851 вар SERMON, DELIVERED IN THE FRIENDS' MEETING, BALTIMORE, JUNE 15, 1825, BY THOMAS WETHERALD. TAKEN IN SHORT HAND BY MARCUS T. C. GOULD, STENOGRAPHER. Baltimore: PRINTED FOR THE PROPRIETOR. By William Wooddy. :::::: 1825, SERMON.* Ir would seem, that Religion always elevates, or depresses, the human mind. It either improves the heart, and consequently the affections and actions of man, or it increases the depravity. It is possible, that we may make a profession of the very truth itself—it is possible that we may profess a faith in that light which has been recommended, and very justly recommended, to your attention-it is possible, that our minds, our hearts, and our heads, may be full of sentiments, of opinions, of creeds, of principles and of doctrines; and yet the effect will only be, to place us in a state of Pharisaical self righteousness-—a state, from which “publicans and harlots shall enter into the kingdom of Heaven before us." I conjecture it is possible, that with due attention to this light, which is the light of man, which maketh manifest all things, whether good * Mr. Gould, intended publishing this Sermon, in a pamphlet with one which im mediately preceded it, by Gerard T. Hopkins; but was prevented, by circumstances beyond his control: And as it could not appear in connexion with that, he has varied the size of letter, that it may conform with that of other Sermons, by the same Speaker, now in print. or evil, making them obvious unto us in their proper colors, giving us to distinguish between good and evil; that we can discern between light and darkness, by the aid of this inspiring spirit. The axe is laid to the root of every evil in the mind, and herein will be fulfilled that declaration; "the axe is laid to the root of the tree: Therefore, every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit, is hewn down, and cast into the fire." It is in vain, my friends, for any of us to make empty professions-it is in vain for us to put on a plain outside appearance, and talk of doctrines, professions and religions; if the depravity of the mind and imagination, are not brought under the influence of this principle--this manifestation, of which, a portion is given to every man to profit with all. You may be ready to conclude, that this is going on the same ground again; and so it is. -And what else have you to direct you? It is obvious, that whilst we are making these professions, there are many of us ready to judge one another's actions, when we have no more knowledge of the motives which produced them, than Balaam's ass;-who, though he neither knew the motives of his master's mission, nor the occasion of his journey, reproved his rashness. And from whence does this arise? It arises from having notions instilled into the head, instead of principle operating upon the heart-It arises from a religion which is found in these societies to result from education and tradition. It is possible, my friends and fellow believers in this holy name-it is possible that without union or communion with any religious society— it is possible, that without any principles, or doctrines, or sentiments, which are taught by the commandments of men, or by any society whatever, many may come under the power of this light. It is not this society in one shape, nor that society in another shape, which leads to it. There is no outward communion with any thing which can lead immediately into communion between the soul and God. It is the Comforter which was promised by Christ himself. "It is expedient for you that I go away:" Here his outward body was to be removed, that the minds of the children of Israel might be led to look for something of a spiritual nature. "It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will pray the Father, and he will send him unto you. And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment-he will lead you into all truth." If he leads into all truth, he will lead out of all error. It is unto this, my friends, that I desire to commend you-I commend you to God and the word of his grace, |