This labor is not only important in view of the solemn hour of death,
but important in view of the life you here live in the flesh.
Happiness is the ultimate pursuit of all mortal beings. They vainly
imagine that it can be found in riches, honors and titles--yes, even
imagine that it can be found in the hard ways of the transgressor.
Though sensible that worlds before them have failed, and gone down to
the grave with the pangs of disappointed hope, yet man is so strangely
inconsistent as still to believe, that these earthly pursuits contain
some hidden charm which he flatters himself he shall find even though
all before him have failed. Here is the delusion, kind reader, of
which you are cautioned to beware. There is no happiness but in the
path where the hand of mercy has sown it--no happiness but in the
objects where God has placed it. It is no where to be found but in the
enjoyment of the religion of Christ. This will sweeten every earthly
pursuit, make every burden light, afford solid enjoyment in life and
divine consolation in the hour of death. Flatter not yourself that
there is any happiness beneath the sun aside from this. "There is no
peace saith my God to the wicked," and, he who says there is,
contradicts Jehovah, and is yet "in the gall of bitterness and in the
bond of iniquity." A speculative faith is of but little consequence,
so long as it does not influence our life and conversation for the
better. We must believe to the saving of the soul from the evil of the
world. "Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thy
righteousness shall go before thee, and the glory of the Lord shall be
thy reward."

SERMON XII

"A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving