Religion is such a belief of the Bible as maintains a living influence on the heart.

The only instance of praying to saints, mentioned in the Bible, is that of the rich man in torment calling upon Abraham; and let it be remembered, that it was practised only by a lost soul and without success.

In the midst of sorrow, faith draws the sting out of every trouble, and takes out the bitterness from every affliction.

The world looks at ministers out of the pulpit to know that they mean in it.

Every man will have his own criterion in forming his judgment of others. I depend very much on the effect of affliction. I consider how a man comes out of the furnace; gold will lie for a month in the furnace without losing a grain.

An accession of wealth is a dangerous predicament for a man. At first he is stunned if the accession be sudden, and is very humble and very grateful. Then he begins to speak a little louder, people think him more sensible, and soon he thinks himself so.

A wise man looks upon men as he does on horses; all their caparisons of title, wealth, and place, he considers but as harness.