embracing virtue, and in their feelings and actions ever acknowledging
the supremacy of Jehovah, inevitably leads to happiness and
contentment. But in doing this we are not to deprive ourselves of the
enjoyment of honest gotten wealth, nor of the rational pursuits and
interchanges of social and domestic life. Religion was not given to
deprive us of the common comforts and conveniences of life, but to
sweeten them. Our Redeemer says, "seek first the kingdom of God and
his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." Sin
and misery in this world are inseparable: so are righteousness and
happiness. If they are not, then it remains for the advocates for a
future retribution to show how men are to be sufficiently rewarded and
punished in the future world.

There is my friends no solid happiness, no permanent satisfaction only
in the contemplation that God governs the world, and in the practice
of pure and rational piety. This you may know by studying your own
bosom. Have any of you thus far spent your days in striving to find
perfect bliss in the various pursuits of life? Have you aspired to one
object, abandoned it, and taken up another? If so, can you say that
you have found the happiness you anticipated, and so earnestly sought?
No! What is the reason? There is one thing needful. Whatever may be
your pursuit, if you are thoughtless that God governs the world, and
if instead of rendering him the homage of a grateful heart, you
blaspheme his name, or are selfish and regardless of the happiness of
your fellow creatures, you must, according to the established laws of
his empire, remain in that same restless and dissatisfied condition
till you know by experience that the heavens do rule--till you bow to
the sublime requirements of his word. _That dissatisfaction_ varied
according to the condition of moral character is the punishment God
sends upon us for our indifference. From this indifference we may rise