This sermon was delivered on the twenty-fifth anniversary of the pastorate of David Smith Brainerd at the Old Lyme Church, Connecticut. It is a thoughtful reflection on the duties and responsibilities of a pastor and provides valuable insights into the religious and moral tenets of the time. The document is a valuable resource for historians and scholars studying the religious climate of 19th-century America. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.