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A semi-centenary discourse delivered in the First African Presbyterian Church, Philadelphia, on the fourth Sabbath of May, 1857 : with a history of the church from its first organization : including a brief notice of Rev. John Gloucester, its first pastor

(1857)

p. 73

[ 67 ]
men to unborn generations, and conceiving it to be con¬
ducive to God's glory, they saw it was their duty to
enter upon the work with all their heart, and soul, and
strength. The question may arise to some, as it did to
nie, From whence those ideas 1 The ansAver is a ready one,
and can be traced through every act during their life
it is " love to God." Upon this heaven-born principle
were their motives based; hence their perseverance,
industry, zeal, and success. Could they fail'? Could
they be discouraged ? Upon this principle we determine
the character of each man and Avoman associated Avith
Mr. Gloucester. It is said by a writer that Ave are "imi¬
tative creatures;" in the matter under consideration, at
least, I shall be willing to accept the assertion, and reit¬
erate it, and say truly our fathers did imitate the blessed
Jesus in this Christian effort. Jesus Avrought his Avorks
from a principle that principle Avas deep love for
humanity; he had no selfishness in all he did, no other
end in vieAV but another's good, and not his OAvn. Love
was the principle that impelled him. In this our fathers
were "imitative creatures;" hence their piety, Christian
fortitude, and glorious success, and, as I firmly belieA'e,
their felicity and joy in the .Kingdom of Glory Another
thought upon this subject before I pass on. It is not
perceived in all or any of the measures proposed during
the time of raising means for the building of this church,
that any one thing Avas done not in perfect keeping Avith
Christian principle, or one that would in the least inva¬
lidate or compromise any of its divine teachings. Our
fathers Avere too well instructed in the nature and re¬
quirements of their holy religion to be led away by any
extraneous appendages that may be hitched on to Chris¬
tian profession; if anything was to be accomplished,
they obeyed the Christian rule, and gave of their sub-

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