The Committee on the Signs of the Times reported. Their functions and duties are therefore substantially the same under both economies, in so far as they bear on moral objects. Ignorance of God and erroneous conceptions of his majesty and revealed character are the immediate sources of abounding iniquity among all ranks. Breach of covenant with God, and also between man and man, seems like a moral epidemic, pervading all departments of society. Recognized gospel ministers are constantly changing their ecclesiastical relations, not by convictions of truth, but by less honorable considerations.
Men often violate their contracts, apparently without any compunctions of conscience.
The ordinances of Divine appointment have become gradually, and to most people insensibly, so overloaded and obscured by human inventions, as in great measure to make void the Gospel itself. The only and all-sufficient help in the department of praise, God has graciously furnished in the Book of Psalms exclusively, and in the promise of the Holy Spirit. The Sabbath continues to be profaned by National authority, notwithstanding repeated remonstrances by the Christian people of the land, and the rebukes of the Almighty in his providence. Neither age nor office is honored as required in the Fifth commandment. By reason of our depravity false and slanderous statements are laid before the public in matters both civil and ecclesiastical.