The peace, the order, and the well-being of society are intended in the Gospel.--The Religion which it exhibits, is profitable unto all things, having the promise of the life that now is, as well as that which is to come. It is calculated, in its whole frame, its duties, doctrines, and ordinances, to secure the rights of man--to promote freedom, to make mankind happy on earth, as well as blessed in heaven. Its tendency to promote our present good deserves to be numbered among its excellencies and the evidences of its divinity. Indeed, rightly understood, there is no part of it, nor any of its duties, but tend to advance our well-being in this world.--If, in other Countries where it is known, it have, in any measure or degree, injured society, the evil is to be imputed not to its nature or original design, but to superstition, or to the corruptions of it. For in many countries where it is known, it has lost its native simplicity and proper glory. It is so disfigured and distorted that, if the first heralds of it, were now to revisit the earth, they would not even know, that what is called the Christian Religion, in some countries, and among some sects, was pretended to be the religion which they preached, and the truth of which, they sealed with their own blood.
If, in other Lands, ecclesiastical tyranny and persecution have reigned, and the rights of conscience have been invaded and trampled upon, still in our country, there is not a single vestige of this. All enjoy universal toleration. Civil government is not incorporated with the Church. In America there is nothing of the nature of a Hierarchy. The religion of Jesus Christ stands upon its own basis. Happy Land! It is our favoured lot, my fellow Christians, to live in a country which has the honor of exhibiting the first instance the world ever saw, of a civil Government established upon the broad basis of equal and universal liberty. Religion sheds indeed a most benign influence on society. Civil government and true liberty receive support and authority from it. It enforces all good laws by the powerful ties of conscience. It breaths forth ardent prayers to almighty God for the tranquillity of the public--for the divine smiles to rest on rulers and ruled--and on all the various orders of the community--that vice and all land-defiling sins may be suppressed--and that the righteousness which exalteth a nation may flourish. Besides one essential part of Religion is morality. There can be no true Religion without morality. And the more morality is taught, recommended and practiced, the more prosperous will be civil society--the more strengthened in its kind purposes will be civil government--the more respected will be the laws against vice and injustice--the more esteemed will be civil rulers--the more sober, regular, and industrious will be the whole mass of the citizens. Public worship may fitly be termed the school of morality.--The weekly instructions, delivered to attentive audiences, on the Lord's day, on the duties of morality, have an unknown effect, an insensible influence upon the general morals of the people. As a people we do not realize the singular temporal blessings derived from public worship. The instructions of God's house tend to enlarge the mind--to promote charity, peace and benevolence, and of course our best temporal interest. They are adapted to soften the heart and liberalize the soul. They adorn the social life; they are well calculated to render man benefit--friendly, and compassionate--diligent in his calling--faithful to his word--punctual in his dealings--sensible to the misfortunes of others--a good Christian--and from a good Christian to a good member of civil society the transition is easy. Were there, as the Atheist pretends to believe, no other world besides this or were death to be the final extinction of the living principle, it would be wise in a people statedly to attend public worship, as an excellent expedient to advance the dearest interests of society.--I have enlarged a little upon this idea, that public worship is designed to promote man's present temporal happiness; because I deem it an important one, and because it is seldom enlarged upon.