DISCOURSE ON THE OFFICIAL CHARACTER OF NATHANAEL EMMONS, BY THOMAS WILLIAMS. = PROVIDENCE, R. I. BOSTON: CHARLES C. P. MOODY, PRINTER, No. 52 WASHINGTON STREET. 1851. DISCOURSE. AND MOREOVER, BECAUSE THE PREACHER WAS WISE, HE STILL TAUGHT THE PEOPLE KNOWLEDGE. ·Ecclesiastes, 12: 9. THAT portion of the Scriptures, which is called Ecclesiastes, was written by Solomon. For it is entitled, The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king of Jerusalem. In this discourse, the royal preacher has a definite and important object, which is to teach and show the duty of man. In the accomplishment of this object, he exhibits a perfect example of proper instruction. In the text, which respects himself, he declares what a wise preacher will do: he declares the end, which ought to be pursued; and the means, which ought to be used, by the preachers of divine truth. This end is the religious improvement of their people in divine knowledge. The means, which they ought to use for this end, is the constant instruction of their people. The words of our text, then, place before us the following doctrine: A wise preacher will constantly teach his people knowledge. To illustrate this doctrine, it is proposed, I. To show what all people need to be taught; II. To show what a preacher needs, that he may teach his people; III. To show why a wise preacher will constantly teach his people knowledge. It is proposed, I. To show what all people need to be taught. Every people needs to be taught the same system of divine truth. Of divine truth, there is but one system. The truth, on the same subjects, is consistent and permanent. Divine truth is suited to every people; and it is needed by every person. As there is but one system of divine truth, every people needs to be taught the same divine instructions. It is easy, then, to perceive what every people needs to be taught. For the only correct system of religious instruction is founded on the truth respecting God and man. The truth, in respect to God and man, includes the doctrines and duties of religion. It teaches and shows what every people and every person ought to believe and to do. 1. Every people needs to be taught the true knowledge of God. The divine existence is certain and evident, from the nature of mutable and dependent beings, that are not eternal, but are caused to |