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322 HARRIS'S SERMONS ON IMPORTANT SUBJECTS.

ple they may be, the unrenewed man is wholly unprepared to relish them.

We tremble for ourselves, and keep our body in subjection; lest, after we have preached to others, we ourselves should become cast-away. We have cause to fear, lest, through a false candour, we should betray the cause of truth into the hands of error. We conclude, by requesting the prayers of the people of God.

Newbern, April 19, 1817.

SERMON XXXI.

Worship God. Rev. xix. 10.

HAD the darkness of the Jewish dispensation extended its influence to the present day, then would your speaker, both from the subject and the occasion, be led to speak much of those outward forms and sensible figures, by which the Almighty was pleased to assist the minds of his worshippers; when the pomp which blazoned at Jerusalem's capital, and the ceremonies there performed, were regarded as the principal points of divine worship.

But the hour being now come, when the true worshippers have no longer to resort to the mountain of Samaria, nor yet to the temple of Jerusalem; but are required to worship the Father in spirit and in truth; the minister of the Gospel, caught away by the adorable perfections of his Lord and Master, as revealed by the clearer light of the Gospel, stoops no longer to meaner subjects, but vouches the di

vine supremacy, and challenges such dispositions as are suitable to those who would worship the great Jehovah.

If any thing could justify, in the minister of salvation, a momentary departure from that theme, which should ever warm his heart, and dwell upon his tongue, methinks it would be the peculiarities of the present occasion, convened, as we are, for the first time, to worship God within these hallowed walls, which we now consecrate specially to his service. For sure I am, an occasion has never presented itself in which voluntary contribution ever displayed more fully the unostentatious generosity of a people; or in which greater zeal and concert conspired to effect a religious object.

But, my brethren, it would ill accord, both with the dignity and design of this place, to confer commendation on mortals for a work which, however laudable, surpasses not our duty. To your consciences I refer you for that satisfaction which results from disinterested good-will to the cause of Jesus Christ and to the time of general remuneration I refer you for your reward from Him who has said-a cup of cold water, given to a disciple, in the name of a disciple, shall secure to the giver a reward.

This house was erected for the convenience of those who worship God; and for this purpose exclusively, I trust, we shall here often meet. It is my present design, to bring into view three of the principal points to which we should attend at all

times; and especially when we meet for the purpose of divine worship:

I. The object;

II. The nature;

III. The benefit of divine worship.

I. The first of all truths, and the foundation of all religion is, that there is a God. Whether a belief of the existence of a God is founded on innate ideas; or the grandeur of the works of nature, together with the harmony of the system of all visible things; or on the structure and powers of our own minds, of which we feel a consciousness, we shall not now attempt to determine. This however we believe, that there never was a nation but what acknowledged and worshipped a Divinity. If at any time the tongue dares to utter the impious and foolish expression, "There is no God;" it either absolutely contradicts the thoughts of the heart, or is led away by the irregular desires of the soul, exhibiting rather what it wishes, than what it believes. Indeed, the more common error of men has been to multiply to themselves gods, and to refer them all to the different parts of material nature: as for instance, to the heavens, air, earth, sun, moon, and stars.

But let it be remarked, touching the light of nature, that although it pointed out a supreme and

over-ruling power in the universe; it was quite too feeble to chase away that grim darkness that hovered over the altars of religion, even when the arts and sciences were at their acme, and human knowledge flourished like the palm-tree. They then had gods many and lords many; but they were unknown gods; nor could they conceive of them otherwise than through a carnal medium. They worshipped the air which enabled them to live; the earth which nourished them; the sun which gave them light; and the moon which ruled over the night. "They wor shipped those conquerors who had delivered them from their enemies; those benevolent and upright princes who had rendered their subjects happy: and Hercules and Jupiter were placed in the rank of gods; the one for the number of his victories, and the other in consequence of the happiness and tranquillity of his reign.'

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So consonant is the idea of a God to the natural sentiments of mankind, that all the nations of the earth have, with one consent, agreed to institute some forms of worship. Survey the societies of men in their rudest state; explore the deserts of Africa, the wilds of our America, the distant isles of the sea, and you will find that some religious ceremonies have obtained-You will every where, in some form or other, trace the temple, the altar, the priest, and the offering; though frequently mixed with superstitions I should blush to name.

The variety of systems which men have formed to themselves on this subject, has excited the ridi

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