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Mr. BALDWIN'S 
 
 THANKSGIVING SERMON, 
 
 ' February 19, 1795. 
 
SERMON, 
 
 DELIVERED 
 
 FEBRUARY 19, 1795: 
 
 BEING 
 
 THE DAY OF 
 
 PUBLIC THANKSGIVING 
 
 THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES. 
 
 By THOMAS BALDWIN, A, M, 
 
 PASTOR OF THE SECOND BAPTIST CHURCH IN BOSTON. 
 
 BOSTON: Printed by MANNING tJ" LORING. 
 1795- 
 
PSALM XXXIII. 12. 
 
 Blessed is the nation whose God is the 
 Lord, and the people whom he hath 
 chosen for his own inheritance. 
 
 ■^^■^^gxgi^^ gr:^ '■ ■ 
 
 IN obedience to the call of the President of 
 the United States, we are now, my brethren, aflem- 
 bled in the houfe of God, to offer Thankfgiving and 
 Prayer to the " great Ruler of nations, for the 
 manifold and fignal mercies which diftinguifh our 
 lot as a nation." And as God is this day publickly 
 to be praifed in the aifemblies of his people, I have 
 thought the paifage now read, might be a fuitable 
 foundation for our prefent meditations. 
 
 This beautiful pfalm, whoever might be the pen- 
 man of it, is evidently defigned to fet forth the 
 power and goodnefs of God in fuch an amiable 
 light, as to excite our confidence, awaken our grat- 
 itude, and warm the devout pafTions of the foul 
 with facred joy. 
 
[ 6 ] 
 
 If we contemplate God either In his v/ord or 
 works, we fhall find abundant matter for joy and 
 thankfulnefs : " For the word of the Lord is right, 
 and all his works are done in truth. He loveth 
 RIGHTEOUSNESS and JUDGMENT ; the earth is full 
 of the GOODNESS of the Lord." 
 
 From this view of the righteoufnefs, equity^ and 
 benevolence of the divine government, the pious 
 pfalmift was led to exclaim as in the text j " Bleffed 
 is the nation whofe God is the Lord, and the peo- 
 ple whom he hath chofen for his own inheritance.** 
 That we may more fully enter into the fpirit of the 
 text, we fhall attempt, 
 
 I. To fhow when it may be faid of a nation, 
 that the Lord is their God. 
 
 IL Confider what evidence a people may have, 
 that the Lord hath chofen them for his inheritance. 
 
 IIL We may infer the duty and obligations of 
 a people thus favoured and blefled. — In illuftrating 
 of which, we fhall attend to feveral particulars con- 
 tained in the proclamation. 
 
 L Then, we are to fhow when it may be faid of 
 a nation that the Lord is their God. 
 
 As a nation we form a particular character, in 
 diflinclion from that of individuals. As fuch, we 
 may exhibit the amiable features of virtue and re- 
 ligion ; or the bafe picture of vice and infidelity. 
 In this character we may receive temporal bleffings, 
 as the fruits and reward of virtue, and alfo fuffer 
 national calamities as the punifhment of our vice 
 and impiety. 
 
[ 7 ] 
 
 Therefore, i. When as a nation we acknowl- 
 edge the eternal God to be the Creator, Preferver, 
 and Upholder of all things. When we acknowl- 
 edge his univerfal dominion over all worlds, and all 
 beings. And when we attribute thofe divine per- 
 fections to him, which are neceflary to form his 
 exalted charader, and render him the proper object 
 of our love and efteem. 
 
 2. When we acknowledge that fyflem of truth 
 contained in the Bible to be bis word ; and as fuch, 
 reverence and obey its dodrines and precepts. 
 When we cordially fubfcribe to its divine original- 
 ity, and reft all our hopes of futurity on its precious 
 promifes. When we endeavour to imbibe its gen- 
 uine fpirit, and live agreeably to its didates. 
 
 3. When we acknowledge him as the alone ob- 
 jed of religious worfhip and adoration, in diftinc- 
 tion from all falfe gods and idols. When at ftated 
 feafons we attend upon his inftitutions, and offer 
 up our prayers and praifes through that medium 
 which he hath appointed. 
 
 4. When we acknowledge him as our rightful 
 Sovereign, and live in fubjedion to h^s laws. For 
 it can never be fuppofed that a people have chofen 
 the Lord for their God, while they refufe to have 
 him reign over them. The very language of his 
 enemies is, " Let us break his bands in funder, 
 and caft his cords away j'* whilft thofe who approve 
 of his government fay, " The Lord is our Law- 
 giver, the Lord is our King, he will fave us.** 
 And faid Jefus, " Then are ye my friends, when 
 ye do whatfoever I command you." 
 
C 8 ] 
 
 5. When we acknowledge his univerfal provi- 
 dence over all the works of his hands. If we rely 
 upon his protecting care and providence, we fliall 
 manifeft it, by appealing to his wifdom to dired: us, 
 when involved in darknefs and difficulty ; and to 
 his power to defend us, when furrounded by threat- 
 ening dangers. And finally, in leaving the iflue of 
 our mod interefting concerns, to the righteous dif- 
 pofal of Him who controls all human events. 
 
 6. And laflly. When we acknowledge the Lord 
 to be the Giver of all our mercies. Nothing can 
 be more calculated to keep us humble and thank- 
 ful, than to realize our dependence on God. . " Ev- 
 ery good, and every perfed gift, comes down from 
 the Father of lights." A fenfe of our own unwor- 
 thinefs, and of the divine goodnefs in bellowing 
 favours upon us, will excite in us the moft lively 
 fentiments of gratitude and undifTcmbled joy ; and 
 will finally iifue in thankfgiving and praife. 
 
 But we come 
 
 II. To fhow, what evidence a people may have, 
 that the Lord hath chofen them for his inheritance. 
 
 The terms very naturally imply each other ; agree- 
 ably to the tenor of the new covenant, " I will be 
 their God, and they fnall be my people.'* And 
 again, " I love them that love me." 
 
 Although this part of our fubje£t may not appear 
 fo capable of proof as the former, fmce neither love 
 nor hatred can be certainly known by the common 
 courfe of providence, as one event happeneth to 
 all J yet undoubtedly there may be fome rational 
 
C 9 ] 
 
 evidence given, in favour of the people whom God 
 hath chofen. 
 
 As I. God*s difpofing a people to choofe him 
 to be their God, is a clear evidence that he had 
 previoufly chofen them for his inheritance. " Ye 
 have not chofen me, (faid the Saviour to his difci- 
 ples, that is, firft) but I have chofen you." They 
 had indeed chofen him with all their hearts ; but 
 this was confequent upon his choice, and therefore 
 could not be the caufe, although it was the belt 
 evidence of their being his people. " We love 
 him, becaufe he firft loved us.'* But we obferve, 
 
 2. Special, and remarkable instances of divine 
 interpofition in behalf of a people, naturally lead us 
 to conclude that God hath chofen them for his own. 
 
 Of old he chofe the feed of Abraham for his 
 people, and Jacob for the lot of his inheritance. 
 And, although he fuffered them for a feafon to be 
 afflided by their enemies, yet when the fet time was 
 come for their deHverance from Egyptian bondav^e, 
 his arm was made quite bare in the fight of the 
 nations. 
 
 The children of Ifrael at this time were funk 
 under the mod abje(51: flavery. They indeed groan- 
 ed under their bondage, but had no idea of deliv- 
 erance ; and by being fo long accuftomed to ferve, 
 they had quite loft the fpirit of enterprife. Yea, 
 they were fo far inured to their wretched condition, 
 and fo indifferent to the c ufe of freedom, that af- 
 ter Mofes had exhibited his credentials, and given 
 the mofl unequivocal proof of his being fent of 
 B 
 
[ 10 ] 
 
 God to liberate them from their vile fervltude, they 
 v/ere ready upon almoft every appearance of diffi- 
 culty or danger, to raife their clamorous voices and 
 fay, " Let us alone that we may ferve the Egyp- 
 tians." But their drooping fpirits were finally 
 cheered, and with one confent they raUied round 
 the flandard of freedom. And while the Egyptians 
 for their cruelty, were vifited with various plagues, 
 and were now mourning the lofs of their firll-born, 
 under cover of the night they made their efcape. 
 But the tyrant of Egypt foon determined to pur- 
 fue them. 
 
 The ranfomed tribes not being furnifhed with 
 weapons of defence, in order to efcape the Phihf- 
 tines, took their rout by the way of the wildernefs ; 
 and were now encamped between Migdol and the 
 Red Sea. Imagination itfelf could fcarce conceive 
 of a fituation more difadvantageous and diftreffing 
 than theirs. The fea fpread itfelf in their front ; 
 on either fide they were inclofed by inacceffible 
 mountains. Hahirotb on one fide, and Baal-zephon 
 on the other, forbade their flanking off. Whilll 
 in their rear they beheld their late imperious maf- 
 ter, with all their tyrant bands, in crowded columns 
 advancing towards them ; glittering in armour, and 
 amply furnifhed with the whole apparatus of death ! 
 
 At this critical moment when ruin appeared in- 
 evitable ; Mofes, who had the moft perfe£t com- 
 mand of himfelf, endeavoured to calm their fears, 
 and excite their confidence in God. " Stand flill," 
 faid he, " and fee the falvation of the Lord." The 
 cloud which led their way, inftantly went back, and 
 
• [ n ] 
 
 flood as an impenetrable wall before the Egyptian 
 hoft. Mofes now took his awful rod, and ftretch- 
 ed his hand out over the fea, and the waters divided. 
 Then, " the waters faw thee, O God, the waters 
 faw thee, they were afraid, and the depths were 
 troubled. He made the waters to fland as an 
 heap, they were congealed in the heart of the fea," 
 until the chofen tribes had marched fafely through. 
 
 But when one dark fcene had pafled, another 
 equally diftrefTmg inftantly opened to their view. 
 They were now traverfmg the barren fands of Ara- 
 bia beneath a burning fun, and their foul fainted 
 within them. No fruitful fields fupplied their hun- 
 ger, nor cheering fprings allayed their third. In 
 vain they wifh for the flefh-pots of Egypt, or for 
 the waters of the Nile. No human exertions could 
 fave them. The Lord again interpofed, and the 
 heavens fupplied them with bread, and the rock fol- 
 lowed them with flreams of living water. 
 
 The interpofitions of Heaven were fo vifible in be- 
 half of this people, that an eaucrn foothfayer, after 
 ufmg in vain all the arts of magic to curfe them, 
 was conftrained to fay, " The Lord his God is with 
 him, and the fhout of a King is among them.'* 
 
 When David upon a particular occafion was cel- 
 ebrating the divine goodnefs, it brought to remem- 
 brance thofe days of the right hand of the Moft 
 High, when God fo remarkably interpofed in their 
 behalf; even when they were ftrangers in the land. 
 " And when (faid he) they went from nation to 
 nation, and from one kingdom to another people, 
 he fufFered no man to do them wrong. Yea, he 
 
C » ] 
 
 reproved kings for their fakes ; fapng, Touch not 
 mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm.'* 
 And thus he led them on to poffefs the proniil'ed 
 land. 
 
 But we are called upon by the Man whom wc 
 delight to honour, thankfully to notice " the man- 
 ifold and fignal mercies which diflinguifh our lot as 
 a nation." But where fhall we begin 1 The vari- 
 ous dreams of divine goodnefs have conftantly fol- 
 lowed us through all this wildernefs. 
 
 The interpofitions of a kind Providence towards 
 us from the firft fettlement of this country to the 
 prefent day, have been almofl: as confpicuous as 
 thofe granted to Ifrael of old. 
 
 The groaning of our fathers under the perfecut- 
 ing yoke of oppreffion, although in their native 
 land, was heard in heaven. Nor did they long 
 groan in vain: for God was pleafed to difpofe 
 their hearts to unite, in forming the important de- 
 fign, of attempting a paflTage acrofs the pathlefs 
 ocean, in fearch of thefe wefliern fhores. Nume- 
 rous were the trials and difappointnients they expe- 
 rienced in leaving their native land ; and many were 
 the fears and difcouragements with which they 
 conflided on the boifterous ocean ; until at length 
 they difcovered the Continent, and again trod on 
 folid ground. 
 
 But how fecmingly eafy would it have been for 
 the favages to have collected their numerous tribes, 
 and hurled fuch fliowers of darts and poifoned ar- 
 rows upon them, as to have obliged them to quit 
 the fhore ; or at lead to have harraffed them in fuch 
 a manner, as to have prevented them from culti- 
 
r >3 ] 
 
 rating the foil, and in that way forced them to 
 re-embark. 
 
 Various indeed were the fcenes of diftrefs through 
 which the firft adventurers paiTed ; and various 
 were the deliverances which they experienced. 
 Death early difcovered their infant fettlement, and 
 within lefs than five months after their firft landing 
 at Plymouth, fwept away nearly one half of their 
 number. Sometimes painted favages with hideous 
 yells difturbed their peaceful camp ; and fome- 
 times famine with meagre vifage ftared them in the 
 face. 
 
 Three years after their arrival, they were brought 
 to fuch ftraits, their provifions being fpcnt, when 
 it was three or four months to harveft, fo that when 
 they lay down at night they knew not where to get 
 any for the morning ; and for three or four months 
 together they had neither bread nor corn. " Yet 
 (faid they) we bear our wants with cheerfulnefs, 
 and reft on Providence." Nor did they rely in 
 vain. God heard their cry and fent them relief. 
 
 Thus when death, and favages, and famine, feem- 
 ed all to combine againft this feeble colony, God 
 was pleafed to give the high command, " Deftroy 
 it not, for a blefling is in it." 
 
 Heaven had undoubtedly defigned this beautiful 
 part of the creation, for nobler purpofes than to lie 
 an uncultivated wafte, for beafts and favages to 
 roam over. It was evidently marked out by Divine 
 Providence, as the favoured fpot, on which Liberty 
 (which had long been imprifoned in other parts of 
 the globe) fhould ered her fpacious temple. 
 
C >4 ] 
 
 But this high defign was not then fully under- 
 ftood ; and America, like a child in minority, for a 
 long feafon was under " tutors and governors" of a 
 foreign appointment, until the fulnefs of time came 
 for her to be free. 
 
 But time would fail, to recount the various won- 
 ders of divine goodnefs towards this land ; or the 
 numerous inftances of oppreflion from a foreign 
 power, which led on to that memorable feafon, 
 wjiich marked a new epoch in the hiftory of the 
 world — I mean the fourth of July, 1776, which 
 announced the Freedom and Independence of 
 America. 
 
 That aufpicious morn will long be remembered 
 (and perhaps as long celebrated) as the political 
 birth-day of this nation. Then our fathers in coun- 
 cil affembled, made their folemn appeal to the great 
 Judge of the univerfe, for the reftitude of their in- 
 tentions, and the juftlce of their caufe. 
 
 And, my brethren, were not the interpofitlons of 
 Divine Providence quite vifible in our behalf, in 
 difpofmg the different States to lay afide their local 
 prejudices, and all unite in one great objeft ? And 
 did not Heaven remarkably fmlle upon our exer- 
 tions ? How furprifing was the fplrit of enterprife, 
 which then appeared in every clafs of citizens ! Our 
 legiflators in Congrefs, nobly oppofed and effedual- 
 ly counteracted the fubtle and perfidious politics of 
 a nation, long fldlled in the intrigues of war. 
 And our young fons, uninured to the dangers and 
 hardfhips of a camp ; but animated with the noble 
 fentiments of liberty, and led on by our immortal 
 
C '5 ] 
 
 WASHINGTON, encountered an army of difci- 
 plined veterans, with a courage and firmnefs which 
 would have done honour to Roman bravery. Un- 
 fubdued by difficulties, and unappalled by dangers, 
 our troops were led on from conquering to con- 
 quer ; one army after another falling into their 
 hands, until our foes were obliged to iubfcribe 
 conditions of peace. 
 
 Shall we now, my brethren, afcribe all this glory 
 to ourfelves ? No, we will fay with the devout 
 pfalmift, " If it had not been the Lord, who was 
 on our fide, now may America fay ; if it had not 
 been the Lord, who was on our fide when men 
 rofe up againft us, then they had fwallowed us up 
 quick." It was the God of armies which led our 
 troops to vidlory and glory ; and His forever fhall 
 be the praife. 
 
 Happy indeed is the nation whofe God is the 
 Lord, and the people whom he hath thus highly 
 favoured. 
 
 We come now, as was propofed, 
 
 III. To infer the duty and obligations of a peo- 
 ple thus favoured and bleffed. The two following 
 inferences very naturally arife from the fubject; 
 
 1. If we have chofen the Lord to be our God, it is 
 our indifpenfible duty to acknowledge, wath thankf- 
 giving, the numerous favours he confers upon us. 
 
 2. As we are dependent creatures, it is our duty to 
 befeech the kind Author of thefe bleflingsXo con- 
 tinue them to us ; and extend thofe which we en- 
 joy to all mankind. 
 
C .5 ] 
 
 In Illuftrating tliefe obfervations> we fliall attend 
 particularly to the proclamation, upon which we 
 are now convened. 
 
 I. We are called upon to offer thankfgiving " for 
 the poffeffion of Conftitutions of government which 
 unite, and by their union eftablifh liberty with or- 
 der." If ever a people were under , obligations to 
 the great Ruler of the univerfe, for the full and 
 free enjoyment of their natural rights and privileges, 
 we certainly are.* If we are not happy, we mud 
 blame ourfelves for it ; for our modes of govern- 
 ment are not the diclates of a conquering tyrant ; 
 but the deliberate choice of American freemen. 
 No foreign lord has dominion over us : but our 
 rulers are of ourfelves, and our governors proceed 
 from among us. And as the mod important of- 
 fices, both in the Federal and State governments 
 are elective ; no hereditary dunce can ever be im- 
 pofed upon the people, but the man whofe tried 
 wifdom, fidehty and patriotifm, lliall commend him 
 to their choice. 
 
 But our Conftitutions are fald to " unite, and by 
 their union to eftablifh liberty with order." But 
 why do they unite ? Undoubtedly becaufe they fe- 
 cure the equal rights of all. We cannot reafonably, 
 expedt that either " union or order" will long pre- 
 vail, where the effential rights of one part of the 
 community are violated, and government is inftitut- 
 
 * As a nation, we certainly enjoy every natural right ; and if 
 under any of the State Conftitutions, any clafs of citizens do not 
 enjoy equal privileges, the matter will undoubtedly be attended to 
 at a proper time, and the grievance redrefTed. 
 
 I 
 
C >7 ] 
 
 cd and adminlftered for the benefit of a part only, 
 and not for the whole. May we ever confider our 
 rights unalienable, and in a conftitutional way re- 
 monftrate againft the fmalleft infringement. 
 
 2. We are directed to offer public thankfgiving 
 to God, " for the prefervation of our peace, foreign 
 and domeftic." 
 
 A moment's refledion, my brethren, will con- 
 vince you of the propriety of this remark. For 
 notwithftanding the embarrafsments which our 
 trade hath fuffered on the feas, and the many un- 
 provoked infults offered to our flag ; we have fhowa 
 ourfelves fuperior to thofe who have injured us, by 
 defpifmg rather than retaliating their crimes. And 
 although our weflern border has been partially dif- 
 treffed, yet the great body of the nation has been 
 folded in the fecure arms of peace. And by the 
 blefling of God on the caufe of Liberty in Europe ; 
 and the wife and fteady exertions of our fupreme 
 Executive, aided by our Federal Council, we have 
 been preferved from the horrors and calamities of 
 a foreign war. 
 
 3. " The fupprefTion of the late infurredtion" is 
 mentioned by our worthy Prefident, as matter of 
 public thankfgiving. And let the caufe of that un- 
 happy infurredion be what it may, we will rejoice 
 and praife God, thatthe confequences were far lefs 
 fatal than we feared ; and that it has been wifely 
 overruled, not only for the fupprefTion of that re- 
 bellion, but for the flrengthening and cementing 
 of the Union. May it alfo be farther beneficial, 
 
 C 
 
[ '3 ] 
 
 by deterring others from oppofing lawful authority, 
 and prevent their making the defperate appeal to 
 arms. 
 
 4. " The profperous courfe of our affairs, public 
 and private,'* calls for our grateful acknowledg- 
 ments. 
 
 That our wealth and population have rapidly in- 
 creafed within thefe few years paft, much beyond 
 any former calculations, cannot be denied. And we 
 have the fatisfaftion ftill to believe that the tide has 
 not begun to ebb, but is yet increafmg. Our fet- 
 tlements are extending ; the wildernefs yields to the 
 hand of cultivation, and becomes a fruitful field ; 
 towns are built, and cities enlarged. Citizens of 
 every clafs find fufficient employ, and ample en- 
 couragement to reward their induftry. The liberal 
 arts are nourifhed, and ufeful knowledge diffufed ; 
 and furely there can be nothing wanting but real 
 piety to make us truly happy. 
 
 But from the uncertain tenure by which we hold 
 thefe enjoyments, we are led to infer 
 
 2. That it is our duty to befeech the kind Au- 
 thor of thefe bleflings to continue them to us, and 
 extend thofe which we enjoy to all mankind. 
 
 And I. By the proclamation we are direfted 
 " to befeech the kind Author of thefe bleflings 
 gracloufly to prolong them to us." 
 
 We ftiall be naturally led to this if we fuitably 
 realize, that the fame hand which bellows our blefl"- 
 ings, may take them away at any time, without ask- 
 ing our leave. And fuch is the verfatility of all 
 earthly things, that we know not what will be on 
 
C '9 ] 
 
 the morrow, or even what the prefent day will bring 
 forth. We know not how foon the prefent fcene 
 may be reverfed, and the dark clouds of adverfity 
 overfliadow our brighteft profpeds. Let us then 
 humbly acknowledge our dependence on that living 
 Fountain, and thankfully adore the Giver of all 
 our mercies. 
 
 2. We are exhorted to pray God, " to imprint 
 on our hearts a deep and folemn fenfe of our obli- 
 gations to him for them." 
 
 Without this, we can never be thankful : for if 
 we confider our enjoyments as the jufl: reward of 
 our own wifdom or induftry, we Ihall feel thankful 
 to none but ourfelves. The Lord deliver us from 
 the horrid fin of ingratitude ! As our bleflings 
 are multiplied, may we confider our obligations in- 
 creafed, to love and adore our great Benefaclor. 
 
 3. We are to befeech the kind Author of our 
 bleflings, " to teach us rightly to eftimate their im* 
 menfe value.'* 
 
 Our bleflings, my brethren, are numberlefs and 
 great. We are a people highly favoured of the 
 Lord. Our civil and religious privileges are none of 
 the leafl: ; we fit under our own vine and fig-tree, 
 and none are permitted to difturb or make us afraid. 
 We worfiiip God according to the dilates of our 
 own confciences, without the dread of an inquifi- 
 tion, or fear of perfecution. We are indeed exalt- 
 ed to heaven in point of privilege ; let us not for- 
 get, that " where much is given, there much will 
 be required.** 
 
[ 20 ] 
 
 4. We are directed to pray that we may be kept 
 from " abufing'* the favour we enjoy. 
 
 It is too often the cafe, that thofe who have call- 
 ed upon God in the day of their trouble, have for- 
 gotten him in the time of profperity. Happy would 
 it be if we could learn that facred leflbn, " to ufc" 
 the world as not abufmg it." Our bleffings are 
 given us to ufe, but not to abufe. They are often 
 beflowed in abundance, fo that we may difperfc 
 abroad, and give to the poor ; and thus lay up a 
 treafure in the heavens, which fadeth not away. 
 But fliould we become vain in our profperity, and 
 forget the God which made us, and lightly efteem 
 the Rock of our falvation ; we muft expeft he will 
 turn his hand againft us, and deprive us of the 
 bleffings we abufe. May the Lord " preferve us 
 from the arrogance of profperity,** and enable us 
 fo to walk before him a^ a nation, that he may de- 
 light to profper and blefs us. 
 
 But we aire to conclude our fupplications by pray- 
 ing, 5. That God would " impart all the bleffings 
 we polfefs, or afk for ourfelves, to the whole family 
 of mankind." 
 
 This beautiful fentiment, my brethren, breathes 
 univerfal benevolence and good will to the whole 
 human race. Much more is implied in it than what 
 is exprelfed. I conceive that it fully authorizes and 
 enjoins us, to extend our views to other objefts not 
 fo particularly mentioned in the proclamation. And 
 1. We will fervently pray that the bleffings of the 
 Gospel of our Lord Jefus Chrift, which we fo pe- 
 cuharly enjoy, may be extended to all mankind. 
 
[ 21 ] 
 
 That the altars and idols of Pagan fuperftition 
 may fall before the light of truth ; and that the 
 ihades of Mahometan impoflure may be difpelled 
 by the bright beams of the Sun of righteoufnefs. 
 And that the dragon, and the beaft, and the falfe 
 prophet ; and all the antichriftian powers, which 
 have in any way oppofed and perfecuted the relig- 
 ion of Jefus Chrift, may be fubdued. May the gof- 
 pel with its benign influences extend from land to 
 land, and from fea to fea ; imtil the knowledge of 
 God fhall cover the earth, from the rifmg to the 
 fetting fun. 
 
 2. As we enjoy the bleflings of Peace, wc fm- 
 cerely wifti the fame to all our fellow-men. 
 
 Bafe indeed mufl: be the heart, which for any pe- 
 cuniary advantages would wifh a war to continue, 
 which makes fuch havoc of the human fpecies. 
 Hence, my brethren, let us offer up our prayers 
 continually to the God of Peace, that the prefent 
 diftrefling war among the European nations may 
 come to an end. And that it may terminate in the 
 overthrow of tyranny and defpotifm ; and in the 
 eftabhfhment of liberty and the equal Rights of 
 man. And particularly, that that nation which came 
 to our relief, in the day of our trouble, may fpeedi- 
 ly obtain and give fuch honourable conditions of 
 peace, as fhall convince the world that they are 
 friends to liberty, order, and humanity ; and are 
 only to be dreaded by tyrants. May they fodn re- 
 alize all the advantages, which a free and enlighten- 
 ed people can derive, from a government framed by 
 the unalterable principles of reafon, and founded 
 upon the eternal bafis of equal rights. 
 
[ " 3 
 
 But 3. As we defirc and enjoy Liberty and 
 Freedom ourfelves, we will not forget our breth- 
 ren, who are in captivity and flavery. 
 
 Our unhappy countrymen, who have fallen into 
 the hands of the Algerines, whofe " tender mercies 
 are cruelties," fhall not be forgotten in our fuppli- 
 cations. We will befeech the God of all compaf- 
 fion to remember them in the land of their cap- 
 tivity, and to give them favour in the eyes of thofe 
 who have carried them captive. We will not only 
 pray for them, but whenever we fliall be called up. 
 on by proper authority, we will cheerfully fubfcribe 
 for their redemption, and reflore them again to the 
 embraces of their friends, and the bleflings of 
 freedom. 
 
 But the benevolent fentiment we now dwell up- 
 on, does not confine our wiflies here ; no, we wifh 
 the fame bleflings of liberty which we enjoy to all 
 mankind. May the day foon arrive, when not dif- 
 ference of climate or features, nor the colour of 
 the Ikin, — when nothing but crimes Ihall confign 
 any of the human race to flavery. 
 
 Urged by my own feelings, I am perfuaded, my 
 brethren, you will indulge me to mention in partic- 
 ular one of our fuflering friends. I mean the brave, 
 but unfortunate Marquis de la Fayette ! " At the 
 age of nineteen he efpoufed the caufe of America," 
 and early determined to embark for this country. 
 But before he could accompHfli his defign, intelli- 
 gence arrived at Paris ; " that the American infur- 
 gents, reduced to two thoufand, were flying before 
 a Britifh force of thirty thoufand regulars." In 
 
[ 53 J 
 
 fhort, things appeared fo difcouraging, that our 
 commiffioners at Paris " thought it but honed to 
 difluade him from the prefent profecution of his 
 perilous enterprife." But nobly triumphing over 
 every difcouragement, he faid, " Hitherto I have 
 only cheriflied your caufe — I am now going to ferve 
 it." * He at length procured a veflfel, at his own 
 expcnfe, and came to America. Soon after his ar- 
 rival, Congrefs conferred on him the rank of Ma- 
 jor-General, which he accepted of; but with the 
 condition of ferving at his own expenfe.f 
 
 His fervices for feveral years together in the 
 American army are too well known, to require a 
 particular detail upon this occafion. The latter 
 part of his command, however, was peculiarly dif- 
 tinguifhed by the difficulties he encountered, and 
 the important fervices he rendered this country. 
 Particularly in countera£ling, and harafTmg the 
 movements of the Britifh army in Virginia. 
 
 From his embarrafled fituation at a certain time, 
 Lord Cornwallis thought himfelf fo fure of taking 
 him, that he wrote to the Britilh court, that " the 
 boy could not efcape him.'* But the fad proved 
 juft the reverie ; for he found, not long after, that 
 it was irapoflible for him to efcape ; and was final- 
 ly obliged to refign himfelf and army as prifoners 
 of war. 
 
 Can we now, my brethren, who enjoy the fruit of 
 his toils, forget this generous patron of American 
 freedom, who is now fuffering the horrors of a 
 wretched confinement, and languilhing in a dreary 
 
 * Amer. Geog. p. 136, 137. f Ibid. 
 
[ =4 ] 
 
 prlfon ? No, we will raife our fuppHcatlng voice to 
 Heaven for him. And may that God who heareth 
 the groans and fighs of the prifoner, break the bars 
 of Magdeburg Cajile, and let that opprelTed patriot 
 go free. And may the glorious gofpel of peace, 
 which proclaims liberty to captives, and opens the 
 prifon doors to them that are bowid, extend its 
 heavenly influence throughout the world. 
 
 To conclude. 
 
 While we commiferate the cafe of the unfortu- 
 nate, and fympathize in their diftrefles, let us en- 
 deavour wifely and thankfully to improve our priv- 
 ileges and bleffmgs to the glory of God, and the bed 
 good of our fellow-men. Let us diligently cultivate 
 habits of " fobriety, order, morality and piety ;" 
 and fludy to lead quiet and peaceable lives in all god- 
 linefs and honefty. 
 
 And may the God of Abraham, of Ifaac, and of 
 Ifrael ; the God in whom our fathers trufted and 
 found deliverance, continue to be our God, and to 
 blefs us. " There is none like unto the God of 
 Jefhurun, who rideth upon the heaven in thy help, 
 and in his excellency upon the fky." " The eter- 
 nal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the ev- 
 erlafting arms.'* " Happy is that people that is in 
 fuch a cafe ; yea, happy is that people, whofe God 
 is the Lord.'* 
 
 AMEN.