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Putnam, John M.
An Address. ,.

^ Concord, 1831.

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YALE UNIVERSITY
LIBRARY

1942

The Pilgrim Fathers and American Independence.

ADDRESS

SABBATH SCHOOl. CHIL.DREN
m DUNBAllTON,
delivered July 4, 1831.

BY JOHN M. PUTNAM,
Pastor of the Congregational Church in that place.

PUBI.7SHED BY REQUEST.
Concoctr :
M'FAKLA^
1831.

ADDRESS.

The occasion on which we are assembled is one of pe
culiar interest. It is the anniversary of our nation's birth ;
the day on which this infant people cast off their yoke of
tyranny, and proclaimed themselves free and independent.
Surely every American citizen, in whose bosom glows the
love of liberty, will hail this day with joyful emotions. It
is a day on which thanksgiving and the voice of melody
should ascend from a thousand choirs, and the incense of
pure devotion and holy gratitude rise from ten thousand
altars. But it is not simply the day we celebrate, which inspires
this occasion with so much interest. It is rather the new
mode of celebrating it ; the exchange wc have made of the
roar of cannon fbr the voice of prayer ; the exchange we
have made of mirth and wine, folly and licentiousness, for
the rejoicings of piety — the devotions of the house of God.
Nor is this all. The occasion is rendered peculiarly
interesting in view of the character of the assembly to be
addressed ; an assembly, not of reverend sages, or learned
civilians and statesmen,— but of Sabbath School children
— an assembly of young immortals who are associated to
gether for the study of the Bible, and who are fitting, by
Sabbath School instruction, for the high employments of
heaven. It is to such an assembly as this, that I am called
briefly to relate the story of our forefathers, and of our
national independence.
And here perhaps I owe an apology, for not writmg in a
style more adapted to the infant mind ; yet it is hoped that
what I shall say will not prove uninteresting to my youth
ful audience.

4
How precious, dear children, are the privileges which a
gracious God is conferring upon you ! How inestimable
the price which is put into your hands to get wisdom. It
may, I think, be truly said, that no spot in this wide world
is so highly favored as that which constitutes your country.
Here the tree of liberty has been planted in a congenial
soil, and here religion flourishes in all its beauty and love
liness. Here no tyrant shakes over your head his iron rod,
and no tlomish priesthood is commissioned to take away
your Bibles and leave you in ignorance of your duty and
your God. But in this happy country, you enjoy, in a high
degree, both civil and religious freedom. What gratitude
do you owe to the Father of mercies ! While multitudes
of children in other parts of the world, have no Bibles, no
Testaments, no Sabbath School instruction, no means of
acquiring a knowledge of the true God and the way of
salvation — you are blessed with all these privileges. From
Sabbath to Sabbath you may assemble in the house of God,
recite the lessons of inspiration, and listen to the voice of
instruction and the sound of prayer, having none to molest
or to make you afraid.
And how capie you in possession of these privileges .''
Why is it that you, more than others, are thus signally fa
vored ? Why are you in the enjoyment of civil and reli
gious freedom, and so richly furnished with the means of
grace .'
Let me tell you, my young friends, that a large share of
your present blessings, is owing, under God, to the piety of
your ancestors.
You have doubtless heard that your forefathers came from
England ; a country far off over the great waters, three
thousand miles east, and that they commenced the settle
ment of this country when it vvas nothing but a wilderness.
The goodly fields which your fathers now cultivate, and the
pastures where their flocks feed and their cattle range,
were one wide forest. When they came to this country,
one might stand and look towards the north or the south

the east or the" west, and instead of beholding, as now,
towns and villages, and flourishing fields, nothing would
meet the eye but vast uncultivated wood-lands, where the
foot of civilized man had never trodden ; but where it was
inhabited only by savages and wild beasts of prey.
Now what do you think could induce our fathers to leave
their country and their homes, and take up their abode in
this wilderness.^ They had possessions at home. They
had in the country from which they came, houses and lands,
and flocks, and herds and cultivated fields at their com
mand ; and vvhy did they leave all, and come and take up
their residence in this inhospitable clime .''
It was for the sake of RELIGION. It was for the
peaceable enjoyment of the rights of conscience. Our
forefathers were eminent for their piety. Tliey loved reli
gion more than every thing else ; more than all the honors,
or riches, or pleasures, of this world. And in England
they could not enjoy their religion in peace. They were
persecuted for righteousness' sake, — were not permitted to
worship God as their consciences dictated. And rather
' than give up the rights of conscience — rather than submit
lo the restraints imposed on their religion by the civil pow
er, they relinquished their homes, and sought an asylum, a
resting place, in this then howling wilderness.
They did not, however, come directly from England to
America. At first they sailed for Holland, a country a short
distance east of England, and the only State in Europe
that at that time tolerated religious freedom. Here they
remained for a considerable time ; but fearing lest their
offspring should be corrupted by the licentious Hollanders,
and that by mingling with the Dutch, they should at length
lose their character as a religious community,— they turned
their attention towards this new world, as the most promising
field in which to promote their religion, and perpetuate their
pious institutions.
Having committed their way unto the Lord, and having
humbly sought his favor by keeping days of fasting and

6
prayer, they formed the noble design of establishing a col
ony on this western continent ; and in July, 1620, they set
sail for England, for the purpose of obtaining the necessary
grants from the King.* In the August following they em
barked for America. Various were the difficulties which
beset their way. But their trust was in G<od, and having
him for their Protector, they encountered with fortitude all
the dangers of the deep. Twice were they obliged to re
turn, because one of their vessels was so leaky that they
could not proceed vi'ith safety. At length, after several
weeks delay, they were crowded into a single vessel, and
took their final departure from England, in the month of
September, 1620.
Perilous indeed was their passage across the Atlantic.
Now, they lie all becalmed, not a breath of air to expand
their sails or waft them on their passage. Anon, they wit
ness the gathering storm, and feel the rocking of the tem
pest. The winds accost them with frightful roar, and the
angry flood, as it dashes upon their vessel's deck, seems
ready to sweep them away, as with the besom of destruc
tion. From wave to wave they are tossed — now ingulfed,
and now mounting to the heavens — every billow threatening
them with speedy ruin. Long were they exposed to all the
dangers of the deep ; numerous and protracted were their
trials as they rode upon the watery element. The heavenly
bodies rolled on in their circuits, and days, weeks, and
months, passed away, ere any land presented itself on which
to rest the eye. At length winter comes, and they are still
upon the ocean's bosom, with a scanty supply of provisions
and nearly worn out with fatigue. The bleak winds of De
cember howl through the rigging of their feeble vessel, and
seem like the presages of coming death.
• The English government claimed the right to settle these shores, and
our ancestors, before they could establish a colony here, were obliged to
obtain liberty from the King, James I., who gave them his letters patent,
promising not to interfere with their religion, provided they would de
mean themselves an his good and faithful subjects.

7
Such were our fathers' perils, ere th(5y reached this land —
ere their eyes beheld the wished for shore. But in " six
troubles" God was their deliverer, and in " seven" he did
not forsake them. Their hope was indeed long deferred ;
but they finally arrived on the coast of New England, and
were permitted, December 22, 1620, to set their weary feet
on the rock of Plymouth. This rock, on which our fathers
disembarked, is still to be seen at Plymouth, Mass. not far
from forty miles south of Boston. In 1774, it was taken
from the sea shore and removed to the centre of the town.
Having safely arrived, our ancestors raised a spiritual
monument. Like Samuel of old, they erected their Ebe
nezer, saying, " hitherto hath the Lord helped us." They
thus erected an altar, on the very spot oftheir landing, and
offered up to heaven their spiritual sacrifices to the Most
High. Without shelter, without means of support, and surround
ed by dangers both seen and unseen, they unitedly commit
ted themselves to their Almighty Preserver, rendering
thanksgiving and praise to Him who " guides the whirl
wind and directs the storm," for his protection when far off
upon the sea, and imploring his future care, assistance and
grace. In this devout and pious manner did our fathers com
mence the settlement of New England. Even before their
landing, they entered into a solemn contract concerning the
basis of their government ; and, in this instrument they ex
pressly declared, that they had undertaken this voyage for
the glory of God, and the advancement of the christian re
ligion. The piety of these godly men, which had sustained them
upon the ocean, was however again speedily put to the test
by untoward and perilous circumstances. Before them was
a long and dreary winter, the inclemency of which they
were ill prepared to sustain. In a cold climate, with scan
ty provisions, and no shelter except the miserable huts which
they had hastily put up when almost exhausted with fa-

8
tigue — in this sltualion, thoy vvere visited with distressing
sickness ; and so fatally did disease rage, that before the
opening of the following spring, nearly half their number
vvere swept away by the hand of death. Still they were
not disheartened. Still the fire of their devotion glowed
unremitted. Conscious of the purity of their motives, they
manifested no disposition to yield to discouragement. The
language of their hearts was, " The Lord reigneth, let the
earth rejoice." " Though he slay me, yot will I trust in him."
The Plymouth colony, thus established, after the first se
vere shock of adversity was over, soon began to prosper, and
to attract the attention of England, the parent country ;
and they vvere soon joined by other pious emigrants from
various parts of the old world. Ministers of the Gospel,
eminent for learning and piety, came over to establish
churches, and otherwise to exert their influence for the pro
motion of the interests of religion. The colony became an
asylum for the oppressed. Those who were persecuted for
righteousness' sake, fled in great numbers for refuge to this
country, where they could live in the undisturbed enjoyment
of religious freedom.
In 1640, it was estimated that four thousand persons from
the old country had arrived to these shores. These, in con
nexion with the children of the first settlers, afforded a suf
ficient population to begin the settlement of a considera
ble number of new towns ; and at this period were laid the
foundations of Salem, Charlestown, Dorchester, Boston,
Roxbury, Lynn, and Watertown. Something had also been
done for the promotion of the sciences. Harvard College
had been founded, 1638, and dedicated to Christ aijd the
church ; and some other institutions had been established,
calculated to promote the civil and religious good of the
community. Before the close of the century, and within the space of
eighty years from the time the fathers came over to this
country, there were a hundred and twenty-six towns, in
nearly all of which were settled ministers of the Gospel.

9
The colonists made it a special object to have a learned,
pious and faithful ministry established, wherever they com-:
menced the settlement of a new town. They thus laid the
foundation of this republic deep in the principles of reli-.
gion. It was rehgion which brought them to this land, and
the grand object of promoting the advancement of its best
interests, was pursued by them with a degree of wisdom
and zeal worthy the holy cause.- It was that they might
peaceably enjoy their rehgion, that they separated them-
-.elves from all earthly good in their native land; that thpy
braved the dangers of the deep, with all the horrors and
desolations of this wilderness ; and no pains were spared,
after their establishment in this countiy, to perpetuate their
religious institutions.
Our forefathers were eminently holy men. Their chief
concern was to worship and serve God ; and they not only
raade judicious provisions for public v/orship, but for the
religious education of their children, in all succeeding gen
erations. In this early period of our country, the morals of the
people at large , vvere wonderfully pure. It is said that for
nearly one hundred years after the settlement of New-Eng
land was commenced, ardent spirits were scarcely known
here.* A pious emigrant who had lived in this country
seven years, publicly testified, after his return to England,
that during the whole of his seven years' residence among
this people, he had never seen a man drunk, nor heard a
profane oath. A godly minister -of this period also re-
* So sparingly were spirituou-s liquors used by the early settlers, that
when a merchant in one of the principal villages in New England, (as
history relates) first brought to the plaoe a barrel of rum, to deal out
among his customers, the inhabitants were greatly alarmed in view of the
probable consequences of exposing for sale such an enormous quantity of
ardent spirit. " What !" said they, " a whole iorrei of ru m ! Why, it
will be tbe means of destroying our morals and ruining our children."
Ajod such was the degree of excitement on thesubject, thatthe selectmen
actually met to consult about what should be done — ^what measures shoul^
^e taken, to repel the invasion of so terrible a foe.
Si

10
marks, that drunkards and profane swearers were not known
in the land ; and that the civil magistrates were examples
of piety. The Sabbath was observed with peculiar strict
ness, and family prayer was almost universal. A man
who should neglect to pray in his family would be consid
ered little better than a heathen. Dishonesty, fraud, thefl,
and their kindred sins, were of very rare occurrence. A
higher specimen of purity of morals and godliness of life,
was perhaps never exhibited by any community in this im
perfect world.
Such were our ancestors ; and, under their salutary insti
tutions, this infant settlement prospered in a degree almost
unparalleled. The prosperity of our country vvas observed by England,
and awakened her jealousy ; and a series of oppressions
was commenced by the parent country against her colonists,
which eventually caused, on their part, a revolt from the
British crown.
You will understand, my young friends, that hitherto
these settlements did not maintain an independent govern
ment, but were subject to the King of Great Britain, and
were governed only by laws sanctioned^by the English Par
liament. To this our ancestors did not object. They
were willing to be under the control of England, provided
they could enjoy their just rights. But this they were not
permitted tb do. They had duties and exactions imposed
npon them, which were too grievous to be endured. Op
pression succeeded oppression, and insult followed insult,
till they were obliged to place themselves in the attitude ot
resistance. Then came the tug of war — the war of the revolution.
The trumpet gave a certain sound, and our ancestors fortli-
with prepared themselves for battle.
British soldiers were immediately seen infesting our shores.
The flag was unfurled, and the cannon commenced its
frightful roar.

11
It was in our own New-England that hostilities com
menced. Alarm and terror spread through all her towns
and villages. The whole country was exposed to the deso
lating march of foreign troops. Army met army in battle
array. Fields were covered with the slain, and garments
were rolled in blood.
Negotiation was resorted to ; but resorted to in vain. It
was submission, unreserved submission, which alone could sat
isfy the haughty foe.
At length, despairing of ever again living peaceably as
British subjects, our fathers proclaimed themselves inde
pendent. That is to say, they cast off the authority and
government of England, and assumed the right to govern
themselves ; and, in defence of this position, they pledged
" their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor ;" re
solving in the strength of heaven, to
" Unite, live free, or die."
The declaration of independence, for the establishment
of which our fathers fought and bled, was made July 4,
1776 ; fifty-five years ago. This is the era of our nation's
birth. Our nation is just fifty-five years old this day. - Be
fore this period, our country was a mere colony of Great
Britain. Now, it assumed its rank among the nations of
the earth, as free and independent.
This struggle with England for the establishment of our
liberties, lasted seven years, and is called the revolutionary
war. It was an enterprise full of doubt and hazard. Dark
ness, thick darkness, hung around our country's prospects.
But the God of battles raised up a WASHINGTON to lead
her armies ; and under defence of the Almighty's shield,
she marched on to victory and glory.
The day on which our country declared herself free,
forms one of the most important eras on the page of histo
ry. For it was then that the very foundations of tyranny
were shaken, and that there commenced a series of events
which promises the political emancipation of the world

12
It is with the greatest propriety, therefore, that we cele
brate this day. It is a day which should never be forgotten.
It should never cease to be a day of jubilee in our land.
But while it is so readily acknowledged that this day
should be celebrated, the question arises, how should it be
celebrated ^ In what way shall vve make manifest the joy
and lejoicings of our hearts on this occasion ^ Shall we do
it, as in times past, by setting fire to gun-powder, swinging
our hats over our heads, and filling the air with huzzas .''
JVb. If this is not beneath the dignity of men, it is certainly
inconsistent with the character of Christians.
Our ancestors came here, as we have seen, for the ad-
\'ancement of religion ; and when called to defend their
invaded rights, they took up arms in the fear of God, and it
was by the special protection and blessing of the Most
High, that they came off victorious, and were enabled to
transmit to us the rich legacy of freedom — the invaluable
birthright of liberty and independence. All the national
blessings which we inherit from our fathers are intimately
connected with religion ; and nothing can be more obvious,
than^that we should celebrate our independence, not in a
Bacchanalian, but in a religious manner ; not in drunken
ness and riot, but in the devotions of the sanctuary. It is
religion, connected with intelligence, which alone can per
petuate our independence.
There are pretended lovers of their country-.~there are
those who are called patriots — who look on religion with
contempt. But such patriots are among the greatest ene
mies of their country ; since, without religion, dur republic,
like the republics of old, must crumble into ruin. It is not
sufficient that a people are intelligent ; Greece and Rome
were intelligent, yet lost their freedom. There must be
genuine religion ; it is this alone which can secure to our
nation permanent prosperity.
How appropriate, then, is a religious celebration of in
dependence ! And how offensive to heaven must be a eel-

13
ebration, the principal ingredients of which are noise,
licentiousness and folly. The tendency of such a celebra
tion is notto perpetuate, but to destroy our independence.
Every thing which, is calculated to encourage immorality
and sin, not merely mars the beauty of our republican edi
fice, but directly tends to undermine its foundations, and
produce its overthrow. Let this spirit of licentiousness
become universal, and there would be an end to self gov
ernment, and to all true liberty.
If we succeed in perpetuating our republican institutions,
it must be through the controlling influence ofthe christian
religion, in connexion with the general diffusion of intelli
gence. Hence the importance of the national Bible, Mis
sionary. Education, and Tract Societies, together with the
American Sunday School Union, and all other kindred asso
ciations. These institutions, which have all come into ex
istence during the last twenty-five years, and which embrace
as their object the promotion of knowledge and piety, I
regard as the surest pledge of our nation's continued exist
ence, prosperity and happiness. These institutions, aiming
as they do at the universal diffusion of intelligence and vir
tue, constitute the brightest ornaments in the diadem of
our country's^ glory.
The Sabbath School begins almost with infancy to instruct
the rising generation in the principles of the gospel, and to
infuse into their yoting and tender minds the love of knowl
edge and the spirit of piety ; while the Education Society
and other institutions, are designed to introduce them into
the higher walks of literature, and into more extended spheres
of usefulness. The direct tendency of the whole of this
moral machinery, as it moves harmoniously onward, is to
promote the best interests of our country, and render per--
manent our republic.
One ofthe best ways, therefore, which can be devised, of
celebrating the Fourth of July, is to collect together a
company of Sabbath School children, encourage them in

14
their laudable course, and for their entertainment, tell tbem
the story of the Pilgrims and of our nation's birth.
Let the political orator, (to borrow the graphic illustra
tion of another*) paint before you the temple of liberty,
supported by Grecian columns, to signify the firmness and
durability of our constitution, having within it the Genius
of America, attired in a Republican dress, bearing the arts
in one hand, and the scrolls of science in the other ; and
the whole scene graced by the presence ofthe great father
ofhis country, unfolding the declaration of American inde
pendence. Instead of portraying our nation's stability, perpetuity and
glory by such a scene as, this, I would exhibit before you a
very different spectacle. I would point you to the twelve
thousand Sabbath School children in New- York city, at one
of their anniversaries, assembled in the open air, worship
ping and praising God under the broad canopy of heaven, —
their countenances beaming intelHgence, and their voices fill
ing the air with melody, as they chant from their infant books
the hosannas of the Redeemer. In the devotions of such
an assembly, we see, aa it were, a great cloud of incense
going right up to heaven ; and well may we conceive that
such incense will draw down the richest blessings from on
high. It is to such a scene as this, that I would point you as
.the surest pledge of our national prosperity. Or rather, I
would present before you the whole family of our heaven-
born institutions, — the Sabbath School indeed taking the
lead. I would exhibit at one view, the great system of re
ligious means now in operation to enlighten and purify the
nation, and to bless the world. I would show you a vast
amphitheatre, where the six hundred thousand Sabbath
School children of America, with their eighty thousand
* The name of the author of the beautiful representation which follows,
is unknown to the writer of this address. The language being altered
from the original, marks of quotation are omitted.

15
teachers with them, should be placed (after the manner of the
amphitheatres of ancient Rome) onthe ascending seats,
rank above rank, extending on all sides as far as the eye can
reach, — with the guardian angels of the other moral and
religious institutions hovering^ around, as if to secure from
these children an early interest in their respective objects.
As they are engaged in their songs of praise, — a band
which heaven would delight to view, — let the infidel rage,
and the revi),er scoff, and call it all delusion. Let them
cry out, "Fanaticism!" " Priestcraft!" " Union of Church
and State!'" The infant throng should hear the calumny,
and answer it only by shouting in louder strains, " Hosan-
NA to the Son of David ! Hosanna to the son of Da
vid ! HOSANNA IN THE HIGHEST !"
My young friends, may this hosanna dwell on your lips,
both here and in eternity !
O may you now, on early life, give your hearts to Hini
who, while in earth, took little children into his arms and
blessed them, and who has gone to prepare a place for all
good children in the mansions above. He has died to re
deem you ; he has shed his own blood that he might wash
away your stains and fit you for his presence. He now in
vites you to his arms,— bids you take up your cross and fol
low him ; and, for your encouragement, points you to, the
glories of his kingdom, as the reward of obedience. O
that you would all listen to his voice, and make him your
everlasting friend. How delightful the thought, that this
youthful throng now before me— that all who occupy these
seats— shall hereafter have seats in heaven, and worship
around the eternal throne of God and the Lamb !
Surely, this is a consummation devoutly to be wished.
And this glorious consummation may be realized ; yes, chil
dren, you may all be saved— every one of you may go to
heaven— if you will only give your hearts to Christ now, and
devote your lives to his service.

16
And will you not do this .'' Will you not, even now, make
the Saviour your refuge, and consecrate to him the very
morning of your existence .'' Then, when the morn of the
resurrection shall come, and the note of the arch-angel's
trump shall wake the sleeping dead, you will rise triumphant
before your Father's throne, and mingle your voices with
the voices of the innumerable., multitude of the saints, in
anthems of eternal praise !

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