of truth, and who are
not aspiring to stand high, nor striving "who shall be greatest." One
denomination has labored to assume the entire honor of reforming the
public morals--has labored to become incorporated by an act of
Legislature into an American Temperance Society, and were unwilling to
admit Universalists and Unitarians to co-operate with them in this
work of reform. This is but aspiring after high things, instead of
manifesting the meek and lowly spirit of Christ.

But we would more particularly remark that, it is this very course of
conduct of any man, or class of men exalting themselves above others
in account of their _wealth, or external circumstances_, that
discourages the poor, who are not only called, but treated as the
lower order of society, and drives thousands of them to the
intoxicating cup, as a relief from the mortifications of poverty, and
drives other thousands into crime, as the only means to obtain that
wealth by the omnipotence of which, they alone can rise to eminence,
respectability, and influence among men. Preachers of the gospel, as
well as others, give sanction by their conduct to these false notions
of respectability and greatness. They will seek the society, and court
the favor of the rich in preference to the poor, even though the
_latter_ may exceed the _former_ in integrity and moral worth. This,
we say, is the most powerful incentive to drive men into a state of
encouragement, intemperance and crime. It is a fearful precipice on
which we stand, as a religious community. Instead of estimating a
man's standing by his virtuous principles, it is too much estimated by
his dollars.

So did not Jesus Christ our great example. He mingled with the lowest
class of society. He associated with, and visited most among those he
wished to reform, so that his meek, mild and heavenly example might
exert a salutary influence upon their hearts, and cast a restraint
upon their conduct. He was a friend to publicans and sinners, and ate
and drank with them. He went among them, as a physician, to give them
life and health, to conduct them by encouragement and persuasion to
the paths of righteousness and peace. His presence was not needed
among those who were whole. He was of course seldom found in their
society. He did not desire to rank with the rich, self-righteous
pharisee. So ought those, who profess to be the servants of Christ, to
go among them, who are most in need of their aid. "The servant i