for us here, would be equally honourable for us in America or
Australia--ay, or in the farthest star in the skies.

But, some of you may say, men at different times and in different
countries have had very different notions--indeed quite opposite
notions, of what men ought to be.

I know that some people say so. I can only answer that I differ from
them. True, some men have had less light than others, and, God
knows, have made fearful mistakes enough, and fancied that they could
please God by behaving like devils: but on the first principles of
goodness, all the world has been pretty well agreed all along; for
wherever men have been taught what is really right, there have been
plenty of hearts to answer, 'Yes, this is good! this is what we have
wanted all along, though we knew it not.' And all the wisest men
among the heathen--the men who have been honoured, and even
worshipped as blessings to their fellow men, have agreed, one and
all, in the great and golden rule, 'Thou shalt love God, with all thy
heart and soul, and thy neighbour as thyself.'

Believe about this as you may, my friends, still I believe, and will
believe; I preach, and will preach, this, and nought else but this:-
That there is but one everlasting goodness, which is good in men,
good in all rational beings--yea, good in God himself.

These last are solemn words, but they are true; and the more you
think over them, the more, I tell you, will you find them true. And
to them I have been trying to lead you; and will try once more.

For, did it never strike you, again--as it has me--and all the world