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farewell to those exalted splendors, and descend to the dark shades of
death, where the rich and the poor, the servant and his master, the
oppressor and oppressed, all lie mouldering and forgotten together.

This solemn consideration, it seems, when forcibly presented to the
mind, ought to be sufficient to check the levity of man--to soften his
bosom to his fellow beings--to moderate his desire in pursuit of
wealth and greatness, and completely to unarm him of all hostile
feelings towards those with whom he associates, and with whom he is so
soon to lie down in death. This, it seems, is sufficient to make us of
one heart and mind in promoting each other's happiness and welfare in
the world, and to make us obedient to the exhortation of the text, not
to mind the high things of earth, but to condescend to men of low
estate. But such is the strange infatuation of man, that he acts as
though his residence on earth were eternal, and as though the whole
errand of life consisted in providing for an eternity below.

We are capacitated for enjoyments of a higher and more perfect nature
than we can attain to on earth. Of this we are sensible from the fact,
that there is no condition in which we can be placed here below, that
is so adapted to our nature as to afford us permanent satisfaction.
Uninterrupted felicity is not a plant of earth. It cannot flourish in
a clime where the blighting storms of malice and envy wither all that
is fair, sweet and blooming. And though we are sensible that such is
the fact, yet, deaf to all that experience, example and observation
conspire to teach, we are exerting all our powers to obtain it here
below, where the united voice of earth and heaven assure us it cannot
be found. We cast our eyes around us, and see the human family in
every varied condition of life from the beggar on his bed of straw, up
to the king in regal splendor on the throne of nations; but in
defiance of this immense distinction, they alike breathe the deep sigh
of discontent. We also cast our eyes over the historic page, and scan
the general fate of man in by-gone ages; but here too, we learn the
same lesson, that no _external condition_ has ever added to the
rational enjoyments of the soul. We see the same uneasiness, the same
longing desires pervade every bosom. Our object is happiness; and
amidst all the various pursuits of life, what is the reason so many
fail of obtaining it? The answer is readily given. We make riche