wth in numbers and influence as a body
of Christians, with our original and, in the eyes of the world,
peculiar observances as to ordinances in the church, and deportment
and customs in the world, is to say the least pleasantly surprising.
Our name as Brethren is hardly a century old, if I am rightly
informed; and what are we now? A legion, not of devils, but of angels
for good. And may I not here add the words of my text, 'Having favor
with all the people'? I do not think these historic words are to be
construed to mean that the Brethren of that Pentecostal day had no
enemies; but that they had the favor of the disinterested and
unprejudiced classes. This is just what I think _we_ have, where we
are known. There has been a day,--but thank God that day is
past,--when public opinion, if history be correct, was largely the
reverse of what it is with us. Vice, then, was virtue; and goodness
was criminal. Rebukes of sin and calls to repentance and reformation
of life were silenced by the martyr's faggot and stake. We cannot
here, and we would not if we could, attempt to trace the sublime array
of causes, both divine and human, that have contributed to the happy
change we now enjoy; but sure it is, we now realize the ideal dream of
the far-off seer, described in these words: 'But they shall sit, every
man under his vine and under his fig tree; and none shall make them
afraid.' We have the favor of the people when we have the favor of the
government; for the people are the government.

"Brethren, we have cause for inexpressible emotions of gratitude to
God for the favor we enjoy. The outlook is bright; the sky of promise
calm and serene. It is said that a Grecian patriot and statesman once
assumed a very weighty responsibility, which required him to leave his
home and State to meet it. He seemed loath to go. He expressed fear
that things would not go on in his absence as they had in his
presence. Finally, however, he secured a pledge from every member of
the Athenian court that no change in the order of government and the
laws should be made during his absence. He went; but such was his love
for his country that he never returned. Brethren, the time is not far
distant when I, your humble servant, burning with love for my church
and people, will have to leave my home and country. Nothing, I say
nothing, could give me more comfort when I make the start than the
assurance on your part that you will make no changes in our faith a