After the exordium and stating what is indicated in that far-reaching annunciation of the text, _And all ye are brethren_, the President says, "Columbus sought a passage to the Indies, and God revealed to him the whole rounded inheritance which he created in the beginning, and intended for the use of civilized man. Our Fathers sought for religious freedom, and God led them on to the practical recognition of those principles laid down by Christ in accordance with which alone man can obtain that political and social and moral inheritance of which his nature is evidently capable, and which we believe God intended for him." The term brethren indicates equality and affection, and these must form the basis of a perfect society. This proposition Dr. Hopkins shows is sanctioned by the Scriptures, and is in accordance with the nature of man. Having proved and illustrated the proposition, he urges upon the descendants of the Puritans to adopt this and this alone as the basis of our institutions, and to carry out this great principle of brotherhood. We conclude the notice of this appropriate and excellent discourse, by quoting the closing address: "And now, my friends, is not the star of hope which we see in this direction, a beautiful star? It is no meteor of a fervid imagination, or of a false philosophy. It is that great idea of a universal Christian brotherhood, pointed out by Christ, not in the text only, but everywhere, as an inherent part of his system. This star our Fathers saw, and is it any wonder, that under its inspiration and guidance, they should come across the ocean? Literally they found a landing here, but figuratively, the vessel which they launched is yet upon the deep, the multitude of their descendants is on board, and we too catch glimpses of the same bright star above the troubled waters. It may be that this vessel is not destined to reach the port. We hear moanings of the tempest, and see aspects of the elements which lead us to tremble for her. But where the bright image of this star has once fallen, it can never be effaced. This is our star. To it let the prow of our vessel be turned. Let every man be at his post, never ashamed of the plain rigging of his good ship, but always hearing that voice of duty, and of the God of our Fathers, which will speak above the roar of every tempest; and then if our ship must go down, the will of God be done. But _then_ she will not go down. Then the hand which guided the Mayflower, will guide her. Then will there be One on board, as we believe there always has been, who, though he may seem for a time to be asleep in the hinder part of the ship, will yet come, when the winds are loudest, and the waves are highest, and say, 'Peace, be still.'"