Excerpt from Essays to Do Good: Addressed to All Christians, Whether in Public or Private Capacities

When we say, that there is nothing good but heaven, we must be understood as including in that idea all which is requisite or useful, in preparing for heaven; because, when any particular means are ne cessary to the attainment of an end, they must be considered as partaking of the importance by which it is recommended to us, and as entitled to the same kind of practical regard which it demands from us. Now the gospel of Christ may be considered as the great instrument by which sinful men can ever be enabled to reach the heavenly happiness. It is ap pointed of God for that very purpose. It is pos sessed of every quality which can be deemed essen tial to its efficacy and success. And as without it no man can hope to be saved, so by its influence and power the greatest sinner may be restored to the station from which guilt had banished him, and be come an inhabitant of the paradise above. As, therefore, in doing good to others, we should pro pose to ourselves their final introduction into hea ven, so in carrying on our work, we must study to make them acquainted with that plan of divine mer cy by which alone their introduction into heaven can be accomplished. If we set aside this method of redemption altogether, or if we do not give it thatprominence and operation which its Author has as signed to it, we cannot be said to do them any good. We may cherish towards them what kindness we please, and we may anxiously desire that they may be happy at last; but we nullify all the kindness, and we frustrate all the desires that we feel in their behalf, when we keep back from them, or do not la bour to make known to them, the instituted way of salvation. We do good to them only when, 'along with a benevolent ambitlon that they may enter into the joy of our Lord, we instruct them in the path by which it may be attained.

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