Peter began his sermon in a parable format somewhat like Jesus taught.

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There was a rich an who had one son. This son had been trying for a long time to build himself a house. He was homeless and exposed to many dangers and trouble for the want of a house, until he was almost exhausted and was ready to perish. And his father had compassion on his son and built him a house, with everything needful for the necessities and comforts of his child. And when it was finished he went and brought his son to see it. And his son was delighted, and said it was a much better house than he could have built himself. 

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His father said, "Son,I love you. I give you this house. Will you accept it?" With all my heart, dear father, with grateful acknowledgements.

Now, Peter said, "Here is the picture of the world which has been working, struggling, and striving for ages to build them a home for the soul of man. They have worked by the laws of men, by building fine temples, by offering sacrifices, by paying tithes to the Lord, by walking hundreds of miles to the temple barefooted and bareheaded, by keeping holy days and festivals, and all to no purpose. The soul has become wearied out of patience, and still no rest, until man has become dissatisfied not only with himself, but with his God and his service to God. And while in this despairing condition God our Father comes in the person of Jesus, whom the Jews crucified and in his death he prepared a house of rest, and now proposes to his children to accept what he has done for them, and stop working and worrying to try to fit themselves for a higher station and a happier life." Then Peter said, "Who will accept?"

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Peter continues; "This house was beautiful to look at, and was in every way suited to the son, yet he could not enjoy it from the fact that it had no furniture. So the son went to work and toiled and labored trying to make furniture to suit himself. But notwithstanding he could no get a piece that would last. It soon became useless because it did not suit him. Then the father went to work and made all manner of ware, and presented it to his son, Every piece fitted the place and suited the purpose for which it was made, so that the son was well pleased. And the father said, "All this will I give you, my son, because I love you. Will you accept?" The son said, "With all my heart, dear father; this pleases me better than if I had had the power to make it myself." Next Peter said, "This is what God has done for the world. Instead of purifying ourselves by washing, by fasting, by prayers, by penitence, and by all the works of the law, God has given us a purity that will last forever, that will suit us and will please Him." 

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Again Peter said, "This son was all ragged. His clothes were worn threadbare in trying to build and fit him a house, and he was ashamed So he went to work to try to clothe himself; and the harder he worked the less success rewarded him. And after he had worked hard, his father went to work and wove him a seamless robe, and presented it to his son, and said, "My son, I love you, and I have prepared a white robe; will you accept it?" "With many thanks, dear father," said the son. "Oh, how beautiful it is! How snowy white! How well it fits me! Oh father, I can never feel grateful enough. I thought you were angry and hated me, because I was poor and homeless and miserable and ragged; but if you did love me in my misery, I know you love me now, and will delight to make your abode with me forevermore. THe son was delighted with the change, while the father was equally delighted with the son, and they both rejoiced. 

 

Then the father said to the son, "I delight to dwell with my children when they live in a manner that is suited to my taste; and, of course, this suits me, from the fact it is all my own work. Only be content, and do not soil your robe, for it is so white and clean, a very little mixing with dirt and filth will so contaminate it, it will not be fit to be seen. And as long as you keep it unspotted from the world it will distinguish you from the world and make you a welcome visitor into the company of all that are dressed in the same robe; for this is merely the outward showing of the principles that live within; which principles are only developed by the outward appearance. And even it will be admired by those who may reject it; yet inwardly they must respect it. Though they may covet it, and raise the spirit of persecution against you, it is not because they dislike you, but because they are not like you; and this is the cause of envy everywhere."

 

This, said Peter, is the way God our Father has treated us spiritually. He has prepared us a holy habitation, where our spirit can live and be happy through all eternity, and then has given us the Holy Spirit, the same that Jesus promised and the same that fell on the people the other day. This spirit renews and begets within us holy desire to love God and to serve Him by obeying His commandments and doing honor to His name by how we live. This same spirit begets within us a holy desire to see all men embrace the offering of this good and noble Father, that they may be happy now and forever, more so after death than before; for it is the dread of meeting an interminable doom for our sins that makes our lives intolerable. 

 

Oh,  the riches offered on terms by our Father. All we need is to accept. Who will accept?

And there were two or three hundred who cried out, "We will; and then followed a mighty rising up and rejoicing, all of which made a very strong impression on my mind, says Hillel. I must make a most thorough examination into these things Peter has said to determine if they are so--if God has provided an easier and a better way to save the souls of men than the Jewish economy. I feel that the subject is worth looking into; for of long time it  has seemed to me  (and my earthly father saw and spoke of the same) that the ways of God's service were exacting, and apt to make men become indifferent, and almost look on God as a haughty tyrant; But Peter"s illustration shows Him in such a lovely light it makes me love Him."