06126 4579

Ward, Jonathan
A Serrion. ..
Plymouth, N. H. , 1826.

bliiril

mjs:

33(ow

r-&MS^i.

YALE UNIVERSITY
LIBRARY

1941

XKEXillfSItBD AT PLT^tFttf, N. B;.,
Jin:.S4.182(^
IN COntMBMa&ATXaN OF
(I '•' <¦'

1^', I^ JONATHAl| Vnami .: ''

^i»LISHED tr RXOI^I^T;

' *v-, "'
ivmiiti BESsitRT *f HCc^

SERMON.

PSALM cxxiv: e,3.
*Ip it had hot been the Lord, Whowas on our sii)j!,^Sh^''
:MEN ROSE DP.ACAINSX WS ', ."EHEN THEV, 'HAii .SWALLCrtPED tJl WF *>
(iUICK, WHEN iTHEUR WRATH WAS KINDLED AG^AINS'^ US, » fj 7(1'!
It is unc^taan ^whether the Psalmist here ak.
ludes to some ope particular event, or. not, wh^kl
his nation were exposed to iminent danger/ from>.
their enemies. The passage now read wiE ^ap-..,
ply to various seasons of peril and distress in[
their history. It is strikingly applicable to th^ir
preseryation in Egypt, and their deliveraBCie^>
when pvirsUe^ fcyv^^^ mighty hpst of Pharaoh.
Had they ,^ot tb^nibeen protected by the Almigb4.j
ty arm of J[e][iovah, their eijeini^s would have
swallowed .them up quick. And after ?they 1
were settle^ in the land of Canaan, they, were
often attacked by their surroundi%. enemies, who :
sought their ruin, and w^o would have sw^IIqw-; s
ed them up, had not the Lor^ l>een on their side, ,
a^d protected them, i;.'v '
And may npt we, with g^fat propriety, adopt
tl\e declaration of jthe Psal|nis|l;»in tl;ie text in ¦.
Reference to our own nation .' Is it not Striking-

4 -
ly true, as it respects these .United States ? Ther|
is a remarkable similarity, in various respectSj^
between the people of Israel, and our own na
tion, and especially New-England. The childr
ren of Israel vvere d|rlj^^d from the yoke of
oppression. And' so" were the first settlors of
this land^ Israel was e<»a4ucted to a distant an4
strange land, and ^eitle^in it, .49^ so were our
«JS§#«rir Vi^ m&ml mhafei|a»ts weue driven
oi4t hefpce the children of Israel, to make way >
for them. Ss WBrfe the tiriginal ' ihhkbit^nts of
tbi» htndl ^ On^thll aj^ivafl of the fit^^^fettlers iif
, IfewtEn^ltoi,>1ftey'we?e Informed by ^enaiivei^j'
th»t)a tveiy fiioite^ disfeks^had, a few' jeifrs befor^
preiraJieA abiC»]&g' tbenij add sWejp^ ofPtM^ greatef:
pari 0fr*lhe^io^al! iiihkbitantsl • ' 'J«^'^feBil4cfJ^
ofiibfckel Mt<||iypt, ai^U^ settied- in tU '*fehd of'
^^Cmitm;^ thai th«^#ight " setfVe theqE.oi'd'" With
oul «deslafenf'dndL^*wpriship 'him accordibg ib
hisrpjwtif apjroiiitfiaerit. And for the? saihe objecf
oMrKsaicesttfrsrlelt' Etiglaiid, Wf ca&J irito this'
IsftCiGadiaiseaup for^e chilffifeii^ferael alea^r
cr^ilii«ai|d#ithe*tA^aiy4ii(^ifi,kni'emment- lys^miii^foMheWorr^Slgiidrftiifi^^^fiiferithWi5S^*h oJ^e^kibn/Jlfeatonf'ffifert^'^fei^
tiieM^merri€SS',^stri)l|f6iligi£6t theik i'^ m^
cupping their liberty and indepefid^c4','^'^And»he
yalS^^up' a' Walhlfe^h ' ^o delfv^l^'' tKis nation
frein%piressipnV t^»^blJ^6t btir i^ghl^ tBafcliieve'^

i^m i^^d^endence, to secuye to us equal libert^rj.
^n^ a ^pq^n^ most e:^qellent constitution of
jg^o^jprniaent. .
Tl^e ii^l^erposition bf Heaven in our favor has
beep truly striking 5 and we may, with the ut-
Baps|tpropri<;ty, exclaim in the .words of our text,
"If it ha4 not been tljie Lord, who was on our,
side, v^^hen men rose up against us; then they
had swallowed us up quick, when their wrath
was kindled against us." Thi^ is manifest froii^
the declarations of scripture and from fact.
1 . It is maiiifest from the declarations of scrip
ture. - '
The Bibl^. .clearly teap^es the entire depend
ence of creatures upon thpir great Creator for a]l
their, blessings. We are expressly taugb^ (hat
ffrom him co|iaes do^vn every good and perfect
gift ;" that, " when the young ravens cry, they
receive thfir meet from God ;" and <liat he sup
plies the wants of "every living thiug." He
does indeed employ means and instruments, in
accomplishing his, kind des%ns:. . Still, however,
we iare taught to view him as the great and orig-'
ijaal source of all good. Thoi|gh mankind are
extremely prone to look no farther than to second
csaWs, krfd to' ascribe their privileges and enjoj-
ments Wholly to their own wisdom and efffjrtis,
or to th^" instrumentality of others, yet we are,
in the wor^ of God, taught a very

;Son. We are there taught, when^conte,Mplatin|
our blessings, to say, " not unto m«, not linto m,
but unto thy name be all the praise." We are
there told that "God is our defence, a very presr
.enthelp iri time of tr»uble," and are instructed
ta' ascribe all otir deliverances to i»im, whether
individtal or national. ' The best means of de-
fetice will be ineffecfual without the protection
of Heaven. For, " except the Lord "keep the city,
;the ivatchmaiv waketh but ih vain." He giv-
eth wisdom, and c6iitag6, arid strength, and yictp-
^y, and can cause a Httle band tb p,ut to flight a
mighty host. But ".how coul^ one chase ^ thou-
;sand,br two put ten thousand to flight, except their ,
Bock had sold them ; and the Lord had sjbutthem.
jup?" If then we believe the plainest declarations,
/of scripture, that protection and " defence cometb
^rom the 'Lord," we shall be persuaded' that, "If
at had iiot been the Lord, who was on our side,
when men rose up against us ; then they had
swallowed ijis up quick,'*when their wrath was
kindll'd against us.* And this will appear more
^clearly if we advert ' '
2. To Facts. - , ^' ''
The history of this country will afford a strijj:-
ing illustration of the text in application , to ouf
own l^ition. And it will be iHustrat|ed hj ante-
jior eVents:, as well as those of the revolution,.
hy which our indepeiidence was s; '.ured.

Repeatedly was thes country lipon .t"h^ verjf'
brink of , ruin. The Iniflians, at different times,
planned the utter extirpation of the English. If
they had made the attempt soon aftef their arrij*
val,- when they were fjiw ahd feeble, nothing but
ft ikiracle could have saved them. But God mer-'
cifuUy disposed the savages generally to live with
tfaem on terms of peace and friendship, for a
ntmiber of years, till they had extended theu" set^
tlements, and greatly ihcreased: in numbers ant^
strength. .
A plan vrasindeed laid by the Iridikhe' for the
destruction of the' English in Vii^ifliat fifteeri'
years after their arrival. It was laid with ^eaf
secrecy, and aiirarigements made for- its execution)
and £|or the indiscriminate massacre of all the in-^
habitants: The Indians, haviiig been fi^ifendly,-
were admitted without suspicion among th^
whites. And their design was to go, at a concert
ed time, into all their settlements, arid fall upon*
them unsuspected, and, when wholly unprepared^
to defend themselves, to murder them all. The*
plot however was discovered theevening before
by an Ihdian, and was in consequence partially'
defeated/ though three hundred and forty-seven^
men,-woirieua.rid ehildren, were massacrei. ^P'
A similar plan vras formed, in 1 7 1 2, to de|tlfey'
m one night the whites in North Carolij^' but'
irhich was defeated with the slaughterqf "a num-"

ber of the inhabitants. Arid in^ 17 iS ^aK' a |en=
feral combination of all the sblitherii Infdiafai^' #
gainst the whites, formed with'^great secrecy:
And though it vvas so far executed as to oecs^d^
the deslructiori of much f>roperty and many live^,'
and tp.{^^rod«ce gfe# distress, yet it was render-
fed in a measure abortive. -
But in New^-Eiigiandthe most systeln3tic,fde%
laid, and dangerous plots were formtea',^ antt tb^
most'perseverin^.att^mpts mkde^for thB Uttef ex^-'
termination of the English.
,p/In J 638, sixteen years after the aaritaf pf^ the
first settlers at: Plymouth, a formidable ef&fttiitik
inade tjf' exterminate fhe English iby?th^'Feq6ts;
a powerful trihte of Indians. TMs'i'rfraffir iraW8«el^
defeated after a short contesti .-%";; . Int.
But the most extensive arid dan^^ous^^cols^il'-
kcy among the Indiani^ agalirist the'En^lish^^WafS
iformed by king Philip, a poweffrit sachem of ve-
f-y superior mental endowments, arid of ^eat skflt
hnd courage in war. "He Was, shyis adistingui^lfl
-ed writer,* from the year 1670,tflll675,vfheriho^
tilities actually commenced, secretly preparingjfiif
the War, by obtaining arms and negotiatirigfwithF
the neighboring tribes;" And the skm^' i*T^d^
6bserv^,,that he produced "a combination pf Iii-
diajf^ so formidable^ and a war so bloody, as'' t(y
Ihrellia the very existence of ' all New-Ei^lsaxd.*'

9*
iHe- fengkged in the content' Ulmbst' all'' the In
dians through New-England, who were ^tiuliei'-
ibus arid powerful, arid vHio "spread tfe'etaiWlvTes,
says a Writer -of those titflgSi^like^^sho^fs all
pver the cPtinti^." Arid thyr mbde of'^M^fare
*eritdeifed themU pe^ulfa^ljr djihget-bus '^ eherii^;
and the War with them twicoiriiri'dttly deSoMiil^
and destructive. - They »l^rbacri^^itl¥e*m^li^
settlements "Secretly, and often in the ^Tght, arid
burned thtiir dwellings, arid killed, or Ted into ckp-
tivity, the inhabitants. ^* And thfe 'cburiti-y being
then nfeW*, the *SettlefaientSsc8rttei''ed and d^sfendfe-
iefe,' and Eftrich' #bbds arid tliiek swampis reriiaiii'-
ing, these circumstances greatly favoured thefr de
sign ol utterly destroyiiigf the 'Eiiglish. And
thejfr weffe forii time sriccessful, and destroyed
iriariy toWns,-arid boasted' that they should burn
Boston. -K '
Butthbu:^ God corrected the inhabitants of
the cPrititry sevf^ely, he did not give them "over
to the wfll of their eneriaies;*"^ but riiercifuUy in-
terpfSed for their prbt^btion,; preservation and
deliverance. ' Divisions, defebtion, andi mortal
diseases ariiWr% the savages, greatly weakened
them, and tended to bring the war ,to a favorable
termiriatipn. . The ariri of Jehovah was extended
over his people, and his providence often sig||ffl^
iriterp(^ed for their deliverance. And "Jtiad not
the Lord been on their side, when the enemy rose

up, {<ga»nstrfJtl^^'they,» Woul4' have swalloweii^
Jp X74jS^ B^vij^pngland experienced another'-
Vi^jai^T)s0ii^Amm interposition fpr her protectipn.
a^^^^ive^a^e.-; Tbe^Prench foi;j»e4 thedesigA,;'
wiJ^h^,.a.i formidable armament, off invading and
lay^i^^, waste the cbiintiry. With this view they
fitted, opta^feit^;^' consisting of near 40 ships of
^jijr, of w^ch seyen': w^re of the line f of two
ai'tipery sh^s ; and of 30 transports laden with
provisions ^rid^nilitary stPres, carrying 3,500 land
forces, and ,40^00Q»standpf small arms fpr the use
o£ ]the„ Canadians ^nd Indians in the French in
terest, who were expected to co-operate with the?
regulars/':? Intelligence of this designed^ inva-
^)Pii peeasioneid great alarm' and appreheiii^bri in'
this country, and led the people? to seek to the
Lord of Hosts for protection and help. And he?
signjilly interposed, and very manifestly fought
fpr, this people. : For "the fleet in its passage was
attacked by such furious and repeated stormsf
th?it many of the ships were wrecked, and others
dispersed. In addition to this the troops labored
under a dreadful mortality, which carried them
oflf: in great nj*mbers." A few ships only of
^l^e fleet escaped^ and returned singly to France;
"N^er," s^ a Very respectable histoi:ian,* speak
ing ot^these events "never was the hand of di^*

•Dr. Belli

H
^ine Providence ttipre visible than on this bfecasion. '
Never wa^ a"fliskp|)bfntm^nt ihclTe severe oh the
part of me CTieihy, nPi* a dbliveraince mbre epih-
plete, without human help,in fa^or of thi§ cpiin-
try." Well might the '^ebple eJtclaim, -^If itjiad
riot been the Eofd, who was on pur ^ide| vyheh
men FPseittp agaiilisf tiis, ihen {hey "liad swailewed
US up 4m<i*^;" , ' ' .
But the words of purteitwei'enipst strikingly
illusti^efd ih' theTev6lutiPnai'j;war^ and .this events,
whibh'led tP the establishjtrieiit of pur uatiprialin-
dependence. Np persbu can ^impartially review;
tHehistbrybf'^psetiriies withput being convin-
.«ed that, " if the Lord had^ribt been on our side,".
we aibuld have been swdlloWefl up, or subdued.
Who cpuld haire imagined that these ,feeble colo-
liies cpilld have contended successfully wHh one
of the most powerful nations in the World, yvhen
that natibri, was In the zenith of its powei; and
glory ?' it had a few years befprie ^triumphantly
teriairiated a war with France, jni the cpurse pf
which it had wrested froni her the .mpst bf her
American pbSsessions^ the Qa^adas, ]>(pyf-S.cotMi,
Louisiana, and several of her West-Ijndia Islands.
In'Qiis' war tie colonies had borne a distinguish-
ed partj had incurred, very heavy expepses, aja^d
Idst imriy men, one ii\ifd. of the effectiye m^ of
Massae^u^etts being in the service in the cam-
jpaignof 'i75i8. From'these calaniitiesjiey had

m
c^menced,, ^Of »?W^.^^i^^.*V
contesi te-W^ft.^|{r%i^F.?P^>^^^
c^iS|. r^H Jlf^^ -^^^^ ^°^^^^^*'^?
^fet^r^^nr^jll^l^ tiie.ffa|i^ji^ l^f-^ar a9^
usef to |ictpiy,; Sfe^^^^^
aifiahce With the Indian tribes gen^r^lly,j^ and
had them under her„influence^, ,- ,, - - ]
But the colonies were then, weak and impoyejc-r
ished ; J^ad no regular |rt-|ny,p^^^^^ ;,,W.e^,^y^ry
destitute of iriilifary an^ naval stores ; hadi^n ege^
out ,mearil pf defenGe, ami were diwded among
^, .l/if >:'0i5^.>^-::^^\>rt^"-' T n-o._i sfi, k •-;' -¦.¦ ^¦o
themselves. The governors of the, Provinces,
arid riiany of the other officers, were. dependent
...,¦•¦ i: --¦•'¦ '•,':;{l}" j-'-'*; ..¦¦';'"} '^V'"- -'"-'-'--' ^' ' -^ ' "^
Upon the crown, and adhered to the royal cause.
So that the govprhment, at the commencemeiit of
the revolution.^was divided, and distracted, and
could not act with concert or energy, Ajid though
the mostof the .people, were probably friendly ^tp
the liberties of iheir cburitry, -yet many imagined
it would be in vam to resist the mighty power of
Great Britairi,'' and thought It more prudeht'to
accede to such terms , of accommodatiPn as they
could Pbtain. They were |herefoi» unjvilling to
rifek their 8|fl iirsuehadoubtfuTand, as' they ^up?
po^, hopeless contest. Hence ,arose a* division
m the cputttry, which greatly ^jeakened.the cause

13
4^. frsiedtim. >There was beside, in the southern
amd middle stipes, a vast number of slaves, being
ilL many §^^ much more numerous than the
whiies, upojivwhom no dependence could be pla-
cedj an,d.,whp,SQight becoriie dangerous enemies.
<In;sueh swiiliiation, how unprepared were thte
edonits to .contend with such a power as Great
Britain.^ tNo I i wonder then that many thought
th#y had betfe^ yield the^pointsin dispute, which
TKgrei at first more about principles than any op
pressive ajctsof the British government, the latter
fontendingthat they had a ipght to impo^ taxes
Bfpon; the, colonies, which the colonies denied, as
theyiWftre notircpresented in the British parlia
ment. And ti^e acts of the latter, at first com-
pljUin^d of, wwldv have been submitted to, had
they not involved the priueiple, which was. con*
sideied so dangerous tb the liberties of the coun
try., \.-. :- ,¦ ? ¦ - ¦ ^¦¦'¦
^ But Heaven ipd prdaihed.that these theri^ cofe
nie^shl^uldb^^^ee and independent, andhadfix'<
ed^^ the timfi at tli^it early period. The contest
mujst therjefpfphggin, arid terminate suecessfully
fjf. Amiiaiiieajiftptwithg^ridiBg^ all-the forhiidable
p]bsta<c||§ip the way; God diesignedv here to b^-
gln i\^ fi^ii^nqipatipQ of l^e lUations of tU4 *attll
fr^jm cltiili^l^dageiifnd to give them an example
of self jgoyer^BiaBnt,'. of jthe enjoyment of ©qial
% and pf ®neip.otpled national pcraeritT

14
.snd happiness; to prepare an asylum for the -pp-
pressed of other nations, and a people . ^ally *#
aid in evangelizing the heatlien, and aecbmplisV
ing His great designs of benevolence arid mercy
towards a lostaed ruined world. America, thercr..
fore, notwithst|indiBg 'her ^weakness, must- tri.
uraph and be free. For "'the Lord^ ©f •Hosts, the
Lord strong and mighty," had -purpose it. Ana
could man, could «the most powerful riations.de-
feathiscdesigns, vvhenhg could cause" one to chase
a thommd, and/ujo /to put tprt ihouaand to flight ?"
Nerved by rhis almighty arm, the feeble, "put of
weakness, "Were made strong, waxed valiant iri
fight, turned to flight the armies of the sdiens.-'*
But "had not the Lbrdbeenon our side, When
men rose up against us, and when their wratii"
*vas greatly kindled against us, on account of the
((^position made to their designs, — ^"had not the
iif^rd been on our side," we should have been
fpeedUy crushed, and the sihi bf Hberty w&uld
p&m ikme «set, and 4eft <ud ia daitkness, bondbge!
und wreichedriesp. 'We riiay vaittly imaginff
tiiat it was our arm, which had gotten -us the vic-
itory.) But it was i^anifestly the arm bf Jehovah.'
And to denyit would be most ungrateful arid stu
pid. He inspired the nation With resolution and
%jtitude to face the most appalling dangers, and,
with^uttdaunted courage^ to meet the most fprmi-
dable mepny. And he yaised" up a- Snari adriiira-

u
bly qualified to lead them, throif^fi the most try*
ing scenes^Jto victory, independence, peace and
prosperity. Where could another Washington
have been found to fill his place, had be beenrc"
moveff .^ The hand of Gud was mpst manifest in
raisinig hirii tip;, and- preserving-his important and
invaluable life, when moSt iminently exposed.
In 1755, at fhe time of Bradock's defeat, hfe
preservation was truly wonderful. He had two
hbrses killed under himj and four balls shot throu^
his coat ; but, to tbe agtonishraerit of all, escaped
Urihurt,- trhile evefy other pfficerpn hprseback waiS
either killed pr wbunded. " I expected every mp-
ment,'^ says Dr. Craick, an eye - witness, " to sed
hiin fall. His duty aud situation ex^iosed him t(^
every danger. Nothing but the superlritending
care of Providence could havfe^ saved hira fromr
the fate of all around him;" A^ tridian said thaf
he cpuld not , be kiUed vwth a bail. Fbr he had-
seventeen fair shots at hiiriy but coiild not bring
him to the ground. God had important Work for
him to do, and therefore preserved him to be the
instrument, in the divine hand, of saying hi&'
country. Be was often, duririg the revolutionary
war, exposed to iminent danger, but Was still al^
ways Reserved- unhurt, and, with great WisdpiE|i|
prudeni;e, patience, resplutipn and tprtitude, per-"
severed in his couritry's cause, till he had Siev
ed her independence and secured tp her'lib^y and

16
pfeace. And the gracious protection of hf'aveh
was often signally interposed for the ultiniate sue^
cess of that cause) and the termination of the ar^
duous conflifetin favor of eqUal rights:
Every one mustbe conviriced thatthe British
were able to have sent a foree sufficient to put
down opposition, and terminate the content at
once. But the government of Great Britain
Seemed to hold the power of the colonies to
iriake any effectual resistance to the ihother
fcountry in the utmost contempt. Before hostilii
ties beg£in, a military commander, who had Serv
ed in America in the late French war, declared
in parliament "that, with five regiMents of infan
try, he would undertjdce to go through the eouri*
try, and drive the inhabitants from one end of t:te
continent to the other." Andafter the coimrieri^-'
ment of hosialities, another made a siriiilar declar
ation. > Arid though others, well acqtiainte^
with the .spirit and ability of the Americdhs, aS'
sured the governmerit that, in their coerce
measures, thisy' would meet with the mostserioiilj
determiried and perseverlrig' opposition, yet k
strange infatuation seemed to have seized the
British government ; and they appeared to act
upon the supposition that only a handful pf meri
wtald be necessary to put down opposrtiPrij arid C
enforce submissiPn tp all their acts, however ar
bitrary. And this gave the colonies pppprtunity

17
lo act , with more ? deliberatim, iiniph, decision
^i^d ,efie(^^.1,9,qo^le«?t 8^4 concentrate their jferces,
^^ndjto, cam^to operation tfeeir^esfWISQes!; taught
th^Q^ t!;\f.4R 9Wifi, ^i:4^i:\gth, and- traijied them to
tliev fl^t,([^}\^gf, an^ inspired, i]a0(i with eriflrrage
^d, repolu,t|oqj ^dt^e hope pf.'^ltimatb^. subce$$i
J ^Vt a-ppv^fKjfV'^ Wi^ ?%''Be^ ti»;harass.th©sear
G^^tj »nft<sey€^l,9^M4ef?,landedin different parts
of, jl^v i^ftuntyjp, :^t , J|he, cominencei^eiit • of the
cpntesfc,.,woijld hayeifp;di^r^sej^, ,4ijStracted, dis-
biefirt^e^d, ^iyidefl and ;.^ealq€»ied the coloniies,
tlhaj^^^ ^H^ 'of fibjgr^, .i^u^tji tp all human ; ap^
pearance, ^)ni^yjtdl]|ly, haye. ,b^i|n.lps|:< < SutOpd
'.' ^med. I^h§ir QOiunsel ^ntot fpo^|ine$s," arid iu^
spired the friends of tllfirs.pptUB^ryj ^nd pfthe
|i^ts of, m^n with idsdom a^d< firmness, and by
.||i|jP^werfui.,frm sl^ded us,i a|id sjuffered not
|hPS^„Wh» rPse up against us,, Xc^ ^sysrallpw us up j
^l^d upheld /hisr nation throughj the long and ar-
duoii^ .struggle, Jan4 finally condw^^ted, it tp trji-
M^^r to peace, . s^i , ,|o :4.ridenenj^ ence. ,
j,.:yc4i •¦ ¦ . REFLECTIONS^ '- ^.
' i: We leiarH h^rii the subject pW unspeakable
obligations as a nation to the Moist High^'
?"'There is ridf bther* p6oplfe under "heaven sb^reat- J
ly distinguished ^s the people pf'^eseUriit(|d
Stat^i No (jther flation enjoys Such rieb pa^i-
'}eges and ble^in^. :Aii^%o oiiier riatipgin th&
hisei-ldte «ij^yrieri^d such Mgrialiri^^sitiens

18
a|^ diviflc Bfovidence in its favor. The hisfo^j^
df this epubfa'y from its firet settleme»fVis a his-'
fbry'^^f reriiai^able providterices. Let us lotflc
back two ceritil*5ifesj arid fheSsfe United Suites Wesi^
otsei^&st Wiiderftess, untrSdderiby the foot' bf ciV-"
ifi^ed man. 'Nci floririsbirig cities or villa^e^^
^^^ere then SeenV rib *gi'owih^ tbw^, rapfdiy 'ad-^'
"Vicing in populaticra atfd Wdalth j no tem^<^^
eifecled to -fee litteg'Gpd; Wi& theSr lofty §^re&'
pbintirig the i^evoht worsMpjper to k^' iskies ; no
mke of > prayer arid 'praisp ascended l^e inceri^
tqth« tfcrbne bf •thcAlmighty. But all Was si-'
Mcei and darkkti^J'^arid gloo5tri|^exeept wheriirii-'
t^rrripted by t^ Wh'ob^ of thw sst^%e,'or the'
how^rigs. of bed^tsWpray.' ' "'^ ^ '' ^
tVhere W^s f ^^th*' A|&eridi(h ' hktio# ?' The
foimders of this mighty' ei^pire^'anft thfe' fatheli'
of AfliefidaWere'^heri 'wretchl8d Wjafriderfers iri k'
^¥ranig^ Ikh<1,'6r'grojiriiog Al^d'^r the yoke of ciyil
and ecelesiasliMi^ 'if^iuiif. Mtd could ft be ex*-
pected that mehj placed "!n stich a ctfttditldri,
should i^und an i^mpate, wlkh would flourish
ed r^pidity^ ^d lieipeiia* the Won-
With woflde^ ^n^admiratipp^pjty W3e4racq the '
|novpmei|ts of the, little ban^,^>fhp first laridegl pft
thfe^efepf ]pjynu*ftth,andiiiNeW'JPpgl$rid laid the"
cor»ei|vstope of this .eighty .edifice* .( Iliey hadi'
Veen dpsipn byKpersecutipn frppi jfljeir nativjslan^

der of the.wprld v , , r, ;

M Holiand, from ^ipbtemsc they sailed for the ns\ft
.wofM, to.&Geel;airiQQg:savages,!aoK' alt^r tb Him^
who, toth(^B»,;w«s ^tke unMowii GoU" 'TiMse.
/ohjeotiii in^ isbmii% three Ihousalid; miles mWti
.dreiury ^(MOi;eniess, was riot weadth orppliili^I dil^
tiactioHj but Kberty mA religibfli* s Thef cotiiil
.not satsonaHy expebtj and did ztbt^e^j^cliPri these
f'lijaMSHlMvalted and iflhoe^t^lble shoie^, ;to eiifjbjf
^sm and woi^iy ^est^^^ amd ^indeur. Biit
fhej^ eppeetedi tobestr$rig^rs«rii^p|%nBik iri this
stiratHge |atid ; «Qd came here tb srilfer arid^fVd
Gt^d; aiid ^joy urimcdested the ordiriantJfes M the
gospel, arid tiie.^cprispUtiPri^ ef 'reIi^o#; to ^Mte^
aiidr transmit to their bhiidren, iiiivil drid reli^idrisi
^J&eedt|B9f arid the U^eorrit^tM iristitUtions ' bf
Christianity, and train the^iri up for heatbri . Ahd
^their iaratieipated' tri^lis Were riibre than realized;
ijQrod bad a gt!<^t work for tb^ril to do. Arid he
pr«|>aredth€m fPr itj as his irianrie^ hsually is, by
sevete trisUi Thoy iirriVed dh the coast in the
^begiobii^ of a dold Winter^ .Without habltatibiis,
aB^withohtais^ei^.nt supply of prbtisibtfs. And
tlie l»lrdship^^{iy0fiPriS arid isufferingSj which they
CQdrired,br(}tight^ within sit jril^Dtths; nearly half of
thi^ir tiuiiiil^, ^hsfiti^g'^^ bnejllundred and diik
pe!fson%tothegr4vei ¦'' ''
Ibdeed, s^eh aec»($ttiti}ated trials as tbey exp^
rlea^, Wbtild have brofeeri the spirits pf ftiei^df
^PTfitide, and hidubed therii tbl^liri-

30
^uish the objed of turning such a vj»t' Wilder*
ness into a fruitful field, and to return to their
uatMe land..* But they were tHspired'JHvith an
invincible res(itoitiPB, and a»; ui^ieldifigpeE^evBr^
alijtse, that np^bstaelbs^ could discoTaragb''the%i.or
drive themfrois their purposet-'t Audi thpugh thsJ
infancy of the nation %s£s.£eeble,< and there was a
paii^ful struggle for existiftifcej,' yet it gained
strength and, l^mn^^ss frpm tije very efil^ which
pressed hpavilyi upon it, -and tgayoijprfiiroige of a
"^igprous ma:^hoodf . /^©jjgli !ppnstairitly beset
with evils caljfiula^ed te» check its grow#i, and : in
due^ weakness ;^nd retard, its progress, '.ii oontin-
^edjtq gain s^ngth,j and ddvanee towards maliiH
rity, ^ut -vyho eqrildppft.ceive that it would so
rapidly, j^i^qljap; soon, grpwito such, ajnation as-this ?
A.t ^rst a few scatt^e(l , settlements,. ;<$kirted the
A^tlantic, and >a}l J^hind ' was , one unbrok^ri,
dreajyjwildgrnpssjvla! the isyestqrrii iocean. But
now ithe wilderness, to a ya$tr<estent,. has beeri-
su||dued,:%rid})e^me as the /^(^pri of : the Lprdi.
The American settlements are' extendii^, the
tidepf emigrationis rolling pn tp, the west, and
tliC; cpuntry is.} ratpi^ly; increasing in |>opuIation
and wealth-! Our l^bertjf, and independence are
secured and established upon a firm basis. We
^^e t|ie wi^esjtit^i^nd best,const^|ution, and a^^v-
ernj^ent prg;aw^eji aepoiidiiig to tbeipurestpri^e^
pies of ratipnal liberty. We havenumerpus,

21
well eni|ewed'a'n4 flpurishirij^' literary ih^iitutioh'^.
where Pt^r ehildren riiky be Mined for tisefiiliiess,
respectabilily and happiri'^if . We 'enjby religioiiS
libeiljtyj^the pure ordinances of the'gb^pel,ahd the
richest! mearis of ireHgioi^.^ ¦ Very* iiiinrefoHs be»
ne^ent societies' arid chal^itable iristitutlraSliave
bee*i formed, with tned^ign to impart relief tf) the
mdige^and'distre^eiil?^ to. send th^ gospel aii^d
the bible.tp the destitute ; to dissemiiiate chris-
*tian knowledge $ to prb«&ote .iiftellectual^' moral
aiudi spiritual improvfemerit J toelev'ate^the chsir-
acterj diid to.savb the= soul. Th^sb societies and
institutions are diffusing a benign ihfluenciS
through < thfe cousptry. And, with these Varion/
and trich laa^ercleg^^We, enjoy peac^, security, genci-
aJ ;health, iipkfity, and Unexampled prosperity:— -
And^ for all these distinguished and'' invaluable
f^i^kis^S arid blessings, ¦ We are indebted to the
odjpf heaven,'?. How grg^t^' then, Sire bur obll-
gatioBS |t» the? Most High. ^'Herice^'^""'"'"
, 2. WeoughtstPdistingui^8urseli'esbyoUrobe-
dien€e an^pfidelity in his service.
As GOT^ias exalted us " iri 'riattte* drid^ in hbri-
our,'^nd by our superior pjl^lle^e^iibove every
pthe#iatipn under heaven, we ought fb_ be an ;!
eminpntly devoted and pious people, We ought
gFSte#illy tp» aickwwledge Him as the bbun||j^l
glveypfialltdur mercies, and sincerely ef^uire
lat we shall render to Hiiri fbr all His beheT

22
ffits?" We should avoid, and decidedly #c0^>r
itenance, all,tW i^mor^l pracM?^»> % ^1»W*
<Jod is di^wnpiired andproyoked, which are a '^rcr
prpach to any people," and ruinous tp their pros
perity iwid true interest. And We should conSei-
entioui^; sedulously and unitedly prfictjce that
^'rightep^iiess, which exfilteth a nation." Ao^
we shpuld, fsi^eciallyK epdeavour to extend tbs
bluings and privileges, which we «3B|py, te oth* ,
ersv^ and more partiepk^ly |o the Africans and
Indian tribes on our own eontinen;^ and withia ,
our borders. We owe to them a heavy debt : and
,ft heavier debt to divine justice for pur criminal
.^treatment of them. 4^ payment will most
y^urejiy bp demanded by ahu^y Gpd^ ^nl^ss we e^r
,deay(;Mr:tp cajUcel th^,.de(bt, ;1^ rep^jppg^ the uiju<
aries dpne therji.. ' * ?^
Our conduct, in relatip^ i@^ Ihe Africaii^lha&.
* piden ,mpst inconsiste^ ab^ip|d, and C|imi4|l^
Wh)y[e ^earnestly conte^dingwthe prineipl^&at
jail m^en pught to- he free and eqti^, and risking
iCypry .thing in opposing the cluall^f Gi^t
Britain fq iaxu^s we were, ||: the sam^^e, hold
ing in jlliiect slavery huul^ of .^usa||is gf
l^pur f)dlpw .beings, who, upon bur own priories,
I |tad an equal right with Purselvps to iS^Qyi the
iWeets of liberty. Will itbesaJd^thatth^yi^ould
npt Afrjth safety be emancipatesd ? It will l^ ad-
mittedaUhat it would riot have bef n sailb to hS^e

givefl thiem' their ftieedom, wheri' ihey had l^mi.
kej[it In total %npraric#, arid wejpe wholly unpre
pared to exearelscj or ehjoy,^the lights of freettiei^i
But were ariy.tweasures'^ade^ted to prepare 'the
¦vray Ibf thiir eniancipatiPftf' ^stead -pf 'thir^
with ill bur ' iibasted rfe^rd td eH^kt i^ights^^h:^
Slave-tride Was ^till carried on,' arid'slave^ coiUtia^
ued to be Imjfe'rted, without- restraint, till 1 80«i/
ihore' ^ari'tk&ty yeArs after We began tb eeaterid
sO'ParneStly f or our oum n^k Wheriftie 'Ped-i
era! Cbristitution viras framcdi;the riPrthern triem-
Ders coriterided for an iriimediate abolitiPri'^bf Ihe
bd^iris tr^c in human h^irigs and hriniah^ bldbdr
but cbuld not obtain^ itl' And so teflacibus Wfere
thte slave-holding states of the privilege of en^irt^^
trig tfieir fellow bfeing^, tha^ they would ii(^ yield'
k^ unless thejf'dibidrldbepermiVtedte represent their'
slaves in the nalSonal le^slature, or,iiQ dppoftlbii^
ing the Representation to the number bf irihaWt^'
affil^^ tp include three fifths of their slaves. Arid
thc^gh they dfenied fbeir slaves all the rights of^
ike<bi6k% and considered them merely in the light
of biea^ of Mttrderi, yet thby bMirtied the right
to '^ote for them in this proportion, and on this-
prinei^fel or witfi- this eb^promisi^, ^c0ni«ritfei^
that no labre slaves should be imported aftei th#
year 18^
I'lieir slaves have^ however, not orily liefri
ti'eWed, but often treated, as^be^tsof b^

^ --f ^ 24

liaye bysome b.ec^#e^ed: withgi^at^: brheHyTf*
beenjrpuf jshed ^nd^^feri i?iHrd^»pdi ^tj^j will of
th^ir Wters..4lloW)g«^^tgttilt0thMii has Nen
^PitjitraQfe!^ .b^ fefisi*yiri^»and^hfil<^^.*P b,o«da5g^
«gi/i?nialti^ati«ig th? fopr;rl1§gr.oes. fAjld what; ef^
fortsp^h^Orbe ipaagejoyrth.eir ipteltectigfc ifto»»
4jj^^ fi^kJigipM/iK i.iripirpKf went,' t thfi ^%^^w, ,of
t^girtcbaafactgrj, and tlE^eij?j?lwm^ipati«»7and ^rij^oy-
iftfjI^ftS t|fe R^f p/ f^egpaej^. ^ A?Jdj as<- 4 * soei#
tyJi^s-^<jn,iq^edl lijr^hp eplpnizftb
gf - tl^e Irc^e ^ppppl^ of ; ^plpvTs wA. vrhp^Ciiulthnat©
Cj|g,eqt) i?i$he; emanjGi;pft^i919i|ili4 ^renibQ^'^ allfhe
^^gl^ t^gthe land; of(t|i#iJ:%i?foth<ar^jFfȴet pja^--
tg;.^f . i^.pp.i\,mpst cpf dialj i cpftptjeni^
W^ix^ i ' .¦-¦2->'-'''n'| ;''''^* !<:» e.'i.ti?*? jjaiTifui'f-svd,- ->/'"
i.ji^| wepug]tit;iife«^ige ,t0,;enf;o«rr«g« thpfe be
nevolent measure^.s^dppted fs^ jthe civill^tipli 'and
cjfif^pi^ipg of thp Ipdii|«ftriheSiasd,.thf*i amelt
ierat|pn of; their wretphed <fiPBditiwsi| Wpbaye
t9.i|i^np(^|^gfpn,of ttheJand of .'tiieitula^^h^re, a^nl
have , djjiyep them from it in:to the Hemote yf UdeJJ*
ness,,andhave cpntinueditp drive them, j^rtl^it^^
^rthjBr 5 and seem, disposed , tp adJovy theiitfno
rest ,tp f ",|h%, solp, of their feet." For tlipjugli
th^y^ begyj ,ip lay .a^ide ,their v|r^^udfirin^hab^5
se||;ie.d«.wg. and ci\ltivate tjieir Ian4s,'!ap4,s,ee|i
for instruction and improvement, yet many^i^r^
in^jjaei;! J^o. drive them^ pontr^y to t|ieir wishes,
farth^^iilo the wilderness- But . let us enquiisi

25
Iww we should feel tp be ccmpelled to leave our
lands, our dwellings, and "the place bf our 1litier|'
sepulchres," and go far into the wilderness. Let
us consider that tbe Mdiaris have as gobd a ri|ht^
t^, #Ae«i* lands ^s we have ioburs, and fello*ir
obl^a1|bn to dp to therii as we Would have others
* do to us. And let us strive, not to destrby thehi,
or ria&e them wretched, but tp ext^end tp them
thebles^ngs of civilization and chnstianity, and
th^ rights bfrijan; tp raise them from their state
of d^radation «ttid wretchedriess, and to make
thein " fellow ' citizens With the saints," aud rit
fee household of God."
'8, *We may learn thdt we Plight id hbld thfe fk^
thers of New-Eriglsirid in high estimation^
Though we ought to becarefdl not to idslizfe arty
fello# mortals, however great, eminent, useful or
gbod; yet we should give "honor towhom honPr
is due." And it is emiiieritly due *toPur piousl
ind venerable aricestor^. For to them, uhd^r
GM, are we iridebted for all our privileges and
b|e^ngs. They laid the foundation 'for our
priesent greatness, prosperity arid happiness.
Soin» bf their posterity, who are eri|oyirig thi
iadhest privileges", which are thefrmt of their
toil and sufferings. Very urigrateflairy" load them
Wi^ re|)Poach. It rnust be admitted that th^'
did riot well understand the priticiplies of reWgious
hberty -arid tbteratfpttV But Who at th^Wtril

^id .? TJjeir want of n right unc|ersfcandiug of
^^se' principles som^^imes ]betrayed them into
the adoption of* measures, whipl^ cannot be jusr.
tified, though ; their conduct has been much mi§-
!;epresent^, , A writer, speaking of these thin||
after the.fyjfflpiencement pf the Amei;ieari, W^
wh?^ liberty was the great topic of discussiop,
i^ys, 'i^ the cruel chargeis of peculiar bigotry, ^n^i
a pprseouting spirit, ^aritonly alledged againi^
them, are foundeji on facts not truly ^stated."'
They had a deep sense of |he inipo^tarice of re
ligion, aud of the truth, andpf, the danger o| er
ror ; and came into this land, and endured the
greatest hardships and privations, that they might
epjoy religion wi&out disturbance or interruption,
and might train up their children m the kuowlr
edge pf the truth, and in the fear of Gpd. , They.
therefore considered that none had a right tp
cpme and disturb them. They were however
greatly iriolested, especially by the Quakers, who
vyent into their houses of worship, and iuterrup|^^
ed their worship, ancl maclfi great distp-bance.
The magistrates in Massachusetts therefore or(|gr-
edthpmtp quit the prpvince, and not to return on
pain of capital punishment. But wstuming they
inflicted on sOme the punishment, which they-
^pposed they deserved, and which they thoi^t
tney had a right to uiflict. They viewed th«
adoption of great and dangerous errors very crima

*¦ "
Jnal, and ".tq be punished by thejudg^,!^ Ari4
though it is^to belaniented that they did not bet;
ter understand the principles of rpligjous freedom
and toleration, yet it may be much doubted whethi
er their principles and conduct were so offensive
in the sight of Heaven, as |s tliat spurious liberty,
vyshieh will now tolpri^te, under tjie garb, of relig-*
ion, the ritpft g^oss immofalities^
iiough the, fatheEs of New-Bngland were but
meiij they were men ep^inent fcr learning and
piety! 4nd "they used great pare to promote
learning, mpralityand religion. Amidst all their
poverty, hardshipsaod sufferings, they early adopt
ed measures for the'^stablishment of Uy|rary in-
stitutipns, ip^d, only sixteen years after "iey first ii
landed at Plymouth, they founded the College at
Cj^mbridgje. ¦»
Th^ ^id the found^tiori of pur literary, retig-
ious and gjvil institutions. 'JTo their wisdom
^d integrity, fi|*mness and resolution, patience
and perseverance, ai^a.W'p indebted, under J^^,
for our correct moral habits^ our noble institutions^
pur liberty, prpsperity and rising glory. Wp
ought therefore to hpld them in' high estimation^
in4 fem»t^her them with gratitude.
^P|e subject teaches us how to celebrate ou^

nal inde^eni^enee.

-m

for delivpriiice wjisr wrorightjour indep^pdience
ichieyed, and bjlf Uberty secured by an Alinigllty
arm. For "had npt the Lord been on our sidei,
when men rose up against us, thpy would have'
swallowed us up quick." Whei* thereforf^>re
celebrate our natipnal birth daj||lwe shodp^e-
meinber that God has |iveB us>l^|iL[iatM»l ex-
istence,.and all our jn-ecious privile|i?-?|ad«hould

28
With gi'atjtude cpnimemorate hi5 divine good**' *
ness. .' ' '.-,,,
The Jjfews observed feasfa* arid fasts unto the
Lord: And if we are indebted to him fpr inde-
peB dence, apd all our rich citil aind religion^
privileges, then it is perfectl^^ consorfa«t to the,
dictates of re««o», as well as rev/elation,. that we
should keep the, day in honor of our glorious ,
^heavenly benefactor, and in celebrating his prais-
''es. Hence we may remark
5. That any way of celebrating the day, Avhiclt
would be dishonorary to God, or offensive "in his
sight, n[iust be highly improper.
To spend it in rioting, in intemper-irice, or irf
idissipatingamusemerits^ which are calcuiafed to
banish all serious rellectiori aud sense pf the dir
vine ' goodness, and of obligation*^ to the Most
High, mP!?t be peculiarly offensive in the sight pf
Hesiven, and altogether unreasonable arid iniprop-
er, Suph things may now be Justified, and plea
ded for, but, in the great day, will appear in their
true light, and Will then find ho advocates-
Though God has. granted us liberty, he has'^
given us no liberty to sin against him, arid abuse
the rich expressions of his bourity. We should
remember that he; is a holy and jealous God,
n'^t, by our iisgratitude and, sins, provoke*'hiii|
"remove our canJlestic ow^H^f its pla«e;" but strive
to })lea>?e and honor him, that he »'ay continue to
shed upon us his ch'^icest blessings, and prosper.
us, that our " peace may be as a rivorj, aud our
righteousness as ther waves of the sea," and may,
continiiG'as lotoftasthe moon cnduretb, and- til^v
tlie orb of djM^.n]\ eeaseto shifte,^s
this' we^tur^^yrld.,' • -''t^ -. ''

^.''*l;ll'

l.'V,.' ¦;.
, •'¦
ii »,

i-«vH

1' '.'¦

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