SERMON II. PEACE IN CHRIST. THESE THINGS I HAVE SPOKEN UNTO YOU, THAT IN ME PEACE of mind, is an object so invaluae in itself, that there is no human being t what regards it as worthy of his ost anxious toils and ardent pursuit en may not be uniform in their ways obtain it, yet, the desire to enjoy it, is planted deeply in every bosom. But e great and important question is:here is it to be found? Is it to be found in the empty mirth ad sinful pleasures of the world? So inks the thoughtless and inexperienced uth who is anxious to be free from rental care and restraint, that he may give loose rein to the indulgence of his carnal and corrupt appetites and passions. He views the sober class of society with a degree of pain and disgust. To their quiet and sedate movements he finds nothing in himself congenial. If he at all admits the wisdom. and propriety of their course, he is sure to do it in such a way as to shield himself from conviction. A strict regard to the serious affairs of religion, is proper only, as he will have it, for the aged, the sick and dying. But as it regards the young and sprightly, let them eat, drink and be merry-let them mingle in the circle where countenances brighten, and the heart leaps up at the sound of the timbrel and dance; where their ears are saluted with the loud laugh and the merry song. proper element, here alone This, is their can the soul's native thirst for happiness be gratified. Thus reasons the votary of pleasure. But we would in all kindness beseech him to ponder his steps. Consider, if indeed, among your many frivolous thoughts there is room left for consideration, consider well the solemn and admonitory words, "There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof, are the ways of death." "Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth, and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes; but know thou,· that for all these things, God will bring thee into judgment."2 Be not deceived by external appearances. The sprightly air, the elastic step, the high spirits that mark the men of worldly pleasure, are not to be regarded as infallible signs of inward peace. These outward marks, may be nothing more than a screen to hide from human view, an inward anguish of spirit, unknown to all but that Omniscient Being, from whom no secrets are hid. The pleasure enjoyed in gratifying the inordinate desires of the depraved heart, 1 Prov. xiv., 12. 2 Ecc. xi., 9. is always followed, more or less, with painful reflections. It is a false pleasure. It is not a pleasure that results from the whole machinery of man, moving on in harmonious order, but a pleasure consequent upon doing violence to the highest faculty of our moral nature. There can be no pleasure in sin, unless steps are taken to hush the clamoring voice of conscience, and thus degrade the immortal spirit by bringing it into subjection to the animal nature. When men succeed in this, then, they have a pleasure similar to what is enjoyed in a delightful dream, when the imagination chiefly is at work—a pleasure, equally as false, and which they find to be so, when they are awakened by the rebukes of the Spirit, or the fatal blow of death, who forces them to acknowledge, that alas! it was but a dream. We proceed now to inquire: 1. Whether or not true peace is to be found in the acquisition of wealth. One might suppose that it is, judging from the great struggle there is among men in order to acquire it. But a very slight observation of those who have been successful in this respect will convince us of the contrary. There is nothing more remarkable in man, than his proneness to lose sight of whatever he may possess of earthly riches, in his add to his possessions. be the opinion of his ardent desire to Whatever may fellow-men with regard to his state, he himself is far from being satisfied. The point where he supposes that he might possibly consider himself happy, he has not attained. And should he attain it, he then finds that his desires are so much more enlarged, that he feels himself to be as far from happiness as he did before: such is the unsatisfying nature of temporal things. Besides this, there is the painful disquietude arising from the fear of loss. For it is impossible for man so to secure himself in these things as to be |