Page:Sermons preached in the African Protestant Episcopal Church of St. Thomas', Philadelphia.djvu/239

True religion expands the heart; it leads those who pay homage at her holy altar to devote a portion of their time and talents towards ameliorating the condition of their fellow-men. While it consists with paying special regard to our own personal happiness, or the happiness of those with whom we are connected by the ties of blood, conjugal relation or Christian fellowship, it cannot be confined within these narrow limits. Unrestricted by these ties, it extends its kind wishes and benevolent regards to the limits of the habitable globe. Its sincere and devout prayer is:—"Thy Kingdom come: Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven." Nor does it rest in kind feelings towards mankind. It lends a helping hand to all those institutions whose object is to advance peace and happiness, truth and justice, religion and piety throughout the earth. Under its expanding influence our hearts and hands will be open to supply the needy, and to