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that so long as this sin continues to reign, we cannot hope to
become a Society of true Christians, or look for the blessing of
God upon our land.
With these convictions, I should be wanting both in duty and
affection did I leave any thing undone by which the evil might
be diminished; and I feel myself bound, by my solemn engagement
at the alter, to reprove the sin and to warn you of the dangers.
The same feeling leads me to entrust all who are in authority,
and all who are possessed of influence in Society, to do their
utmost to wipe away this mildew from the Christian character of
our fishermen; lest by their suspicions or neglect they became
the partakers of other men’s sins, and the slaves of other mens
condemnation.
Let it not be urged as an excuse that the Lord’s day would still
be abused, although the work of slaughter should cease.
Doubtless there are some men who would squander away the leisure
of the Sabbath in sloth and sensual conversation, but this is
not a necessary consequence; and I feel assured it would serve
not a little to correct such impiety, were the most serious
persons in every (?) to make a noble stand against this
abominable practice and give themselves to the word of God and
prayer, and let it never be forgotten that every man who
professes the faith of Christ and the hope of a Christian, is
bound to discountenance, both by precept and example, everything
that may dishonour the name of Christ, or bring discredit upon
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