He preached and practised a
rational religion, defined a rigid morality as the basis and main
requisite to true piety, and the doing good toward his fellow-man, the
duty of man toward God.
The faith he exacted was predicated upon works.... That he who had
faith in the existence of the soul, and who believed its future
dependent upon him, should be taught this faith was best exemplified
by a faithful discharge of all the duties imposed by society and law.
That he who was pious, was a good husband, father, and friend, a good
neighbor, an honest, and sincere man, faithful in the discharge of all
his duties as a citizen and member of society: resting here the hope
of future reward, and not looking to the merits of any other for that
salvation, which the mind hopes, and the heart craves for all
eternity; fixing a responsibility individually and indivisibly upon
each and every one, to earn salvation by discharging temporal duties
which secure the harmony, well-being, and general love of mankind. Any
other doctrine, he contended, destroyed man's free agency, and
discouraged the idea that virtue and goodness were essential to true
piety.
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