and our neighbor; or otherwise discharge those duties incumbent on us as Christians, good citizens, and philanthropists.  While self-love or selfishness is the dominant principle in our hearts, we can be neither humane, just, nor generous in our intercourse with our fellow creatures.  It is impossible.  Under these circumstances we must and will invade their rights; provided that our interests are enhanced thereby.  I have said that this innate principle of cupidity must be overcome before we can love God or our neighbor.  The question present itself, how?  By what means or agency?  The gospel of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ was promulgated for this special purpose.  By what agency?  Through the pervading influence of the Holy Ghost shed abroad in our hearts, purifying our corrupt natures.  To whom was this gospel committed?  The church of Christ.  We look then to the church of Christ for its promulgation, and an application of its principles.  But some branches of the church are so corrupt that we can no longer look to them as the depositories of truth, righteousness and justice.  Our Saviour sowed good seed, and the devil sowed tares; and the tares have grown and multiplied until they have nearly superseded the product of the good seed.  But the difficulty does not stop here, for we find, at this time, multitudes who have crept into every branch of Christ’s church, who give incontestible evidence that they are under the influence of the worst passions and propensities of the human heart.  Who are devoid of every principle of the Christian religion.  What is their object?  What are the motives of such persons when they attach themselves to the different branches of Christ’s church?  Search your hearts ye whited sepulchers, and tell me what was your leading object when you became church members?  Tell me, was it to serve God?  No, for ye continue to serve the devil with more alacrity than formerly.  Shall I hold you up, naked and deformed as ye are, or shall I forbear?  The truth must be told, be the consequence what it may.  It was not your intention when ye entered the pale of the church, to place yourselves in such a position as would enable you more effectually to serve either the Author of your existence, or the father of lies.  You made a profession of religion in order to serve yourselves.  You designed nothing more nor less than to make a profession of religion subserve your business, profession or avocation; or else, give you character and notoriety in the world.  Here now is the principle of self-love, selfishness, self-aggrandizement, prompting men to attach themselves to the different branches of Christ’s church.