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scarce ever experienced by any other people.-rights-I say, with these principles and these Mindful of the hands that protected us in our views, we thought it our du y, to build up Ameriyouth, and submitting to every just regulation for can altars, or constitutions, as nearly as we could, appropriating to them the benefit of our trade-upon the great British model.

Having never sold our birth-right, we considered ourselves entitled to the privileges of our

our wealth was poured in upon them from ten thousand channels, widening as they flowed, and making their poor to sing, and industry to smile, through every corner of their land. And as often father's house-"to enjoy peace, liberty and safety." as dangers threatened, and the voice of the British to be governed, like our brethren, by our own laws, Israel called our brethren to the field, we left them in all matters properly affecting ourselves, and to not alone, but shared their toils and fought by their offer up our own sacrifices at the altar of British side, "till there stood not a man of all their eneempire; contending that a forced devotion is mies before them,”--Nay, they themselves testified idolatry, and that no power on earth has a right on our behalf, that in all things we not only did our to come in between us and a gracious sovereign, to part, but more than our part for the common good, measure forth our loyalty, or to grant our property, without our consent. and they dismissed us home loaded with silver and with gold, in recompense for our extraordinary services.

These are the principles we inherited from Britons themselves. Could we depart from them, we should be deemed bastards and not sons, aliens and not brethren.

So far you see the parallel holds good. But what high altars have we built to alarm our British Israel; and why have the congregations of our The altars therefore which we have built, are British Israel, and why have the congregations of not high or rival altars to create jealousy, but our brethren gathered themselves together against humble monuments of our union and love, intended us? why do their embattled hosts already cover our to bring millions, yet unborn, from every corner of plains? will they not examine our case, and listen this vast continent, to bend at the great parent to our plea? altar of British liberty; venerating the country from which they sprung, and pouring their gifts into her lap when their countless thousands shall far exceed hers.

"The Lord God of Gods-he knows," and the whole surrounding world shall yet know, that what. ever American altars we have built, far from intend ing to dishonor, have been raised with an express view to perpetuate the name and glory of that sacred altar, and seat of empire and liberty, which we left behind us, and wish to remain eternal among our brethren in the parent land.

It was our wish that there should be an eternal "witness between our brethren and us," that if, at any future period, amid the shifting scenes of human interests and human affections, their children should say to our children-"Ye have no portion" in the birth-right of Britons, and to seek to push them from the common shrine of freedom, when they come to pay their homage there, they might always have an answer ready-"Behold the pattern of the altar which our fathers built." Behold your own religious and civil institutions, and then ex. amine the frames of government and systems of laws raised by our fathers in every part of Ame rica? Could these have been such exact copies

Esteeming our relation to them our greatest felicity; adoring the Providence that gave us the same progenitors; glorying in this, that when the new world was to be portioned out among the kingdoms of the old, the most important part of this continent fell to the sons of a protestant and free nation; desirous of worshipping forever at the same altar with them; fond of their manners even to excess; enthusiasts to that sacred plan of civil and of your own, if they had not inherited the same religious happiness, for the preservation of which spirit, and sprung from the same stock, with your. they have sacrificed from age to age, maintaining, selves. and always ready to maintain, at the risque of every thing that is dear to us, the most unshaken fidelity to our common sovereign, as the great centre of our union, and guardian of our mutual

*In this respect, our plea is even stronger than that of the two tribes and a balf. For, till an explanation was given, the height of their altar, like those of the heathen, who loved to sacrifice on lofty places, might create, a suspicion of their "lapsing • l'he parliamentary reimbursements for our exer-" into idolatry; either intending to worship other tions in the late war, similar to what Joshua gave "Gods, or the God of Israel in an unlawful place the two tribes and a half on the close of his wars." and manner,”—Br. PATRICE.

"Our brethren, the house of our fathers, even they have called a multitude against us. Had an

Thus far you see the parallel yet holds good, has been raised, to stay the sword of destruction, and I think cannot be called a perversion of my to examine into the truth of our case, and save the text, if you will allow that the Supreme Power of effusion of kindred blood. I am left to lament that, an empire, whether theocratical, monarchical, or in this sad instance, Jewish tenderness has put howsoever distributed, may be represented under Christian benevolence to shame. the figure of one common altar, at which the just devotion of all the subjects is to be paid. But it is said that we have of late departed from" enemy thus reproached us, then perhaps we might our former line of duty, and refused our homage" have borne it. But it was you, men our equals, at the great altar of British empire. And to this" our guides, our acquaintance, with whom we took it has been replied, that the very refusal is the "sweet council and walked together into the house strongest evidence of our veneration for the altar" of God" Or had it been for any essential benefit itself. Nay, it is contended by those charged with to the commonwealth at large, we would have laid this breach of devotion, that when, in the shape of our hands on our mouths, and bowed obedience unconstitutional exactions, violated rights and with our usual silence. But, for DIGNity and su. mutilated charters, they were called to worship PREMACY! What are they when set in opposition idols, instead of the true divinity, it was in a to common utility, common justice, and the whole transport of holy jealousy, that they dashed them faith and spirit of the constitution? True dignity to pieces, or whelmed them to the bottom of the is to govern freemen, not slaves, and true supremacy is to excel in doing good.

ocean.

This is, in brief, the state of the argument on each side. And hence, at this dreadful moment, ancient friends and brethren stand prepared for events of the most tragic nature.

It is time, and indeed more than time, for a great and enlightened people to make names bend to things, and ideal honor to practical safety?— Precedents and indefinite claims are surely things too nugatory to convulse a mighty empire. Is there no wisdom, no great and liberal plan of policy to re unite its members, as the sole bulwark

Here the weight of my subject almost overcomes me; but think not that I am going to damp that noble ardor which at this instant glows in every of liberty and protestantism, rather than by their bosom present. Nevertheless, as from an early deadly strife to increase the importance of those acquaintance with many of you, I know that your states that are foes to freedom, truth and humanity? principles are pure, and your humanity only equalled To devise such a plan, and to behold British coloby your transcendent love of your country, I am nies spreading over this immense continent, rejoic. sure you will indulge the passing tear, which aing in the common rights of freemen, and imitating preacher of the gospel of love must now shed over the parent state in every excellence—is more glory the scenes that lie before us--great and deep than to hold lawless dominion over all the nations distress about to pervade every corner of our land! on the face of the earth! millions to be called from the peaceful labors by "the sound of the trumpet, and the alarm of war! Garments rolled in blood," and even victory itself only yielding an occasion to weep over friends and relatives slain! These are melancholy prospects, and therefore you will feel with me the difficulties I now labor under-forsaken by my text, and left to lament alone that, in the parent land, no Phinehas has prevailed; no embassy of great or good men

But I will weary you no longer with fruitless lamentations concerning things that might be done. The question now is--since they are not done, must we tamely surrender any part of our birth-right, or of that great charter of privileges, which we not only claim by inheritance, but by the express terms of our col nization? I say, God forbid! For here, in particular, I wish to speak so plain that neither my own principles, nor those of the church to which I belong, be misunderstood.

Although, in the beginning of this great contest,

It is acknowledged with gratitude that many great and exalted characters have pled the cause of America; and, previous to all coercive measures, advised an enquiry or hearing, similar to that for which Phinehas was appointed. What is here we thought it not our duty to be forward in widenlamented, and will be long lamented, is that this ing the breach, or spreading discontent; although it council could not take place. If brethren could be our fervent desire to heal the wounds of the pub. come together in such a temper as this, the issue could not fail to be for their mutual glory and tic, and to shew by our temper that we seek not to mutual happiness. distress, but to give the parent state an opportunity

of saving themselves and saving us before it be too pressures and sufferings come, when the weight late, nevertheless, as we know that our civil and of power grows intolerable, a people will fly to the religious rights are linked together in one indissolu- constitution for shelter; and, if able, will resume ble bond, we neither have, nor seek to have, any that power which they never surrendered, except interest separate from that of our country, nor can so far as it might be exercised for the common we advise a desertion of its cause. Religion and safety. Pulpit-casuistry is too feeble to direct or liberty must flourish or fall together in America. We pray that both may be perpetual.

controul here. God, in his own government of the world, never violates freedom; and his scriptures themselves would be disregarded, or considered as perverted, if brought to belie his voice, speaking in the hearts of men.

A continued submission to violence is no tenet of our church. When her brightest luminaries, near a century past, were called to propagate the court doctrine of a dispensing power, above law- The application of these principles, my brethren, did they treacherously cry-"Peace peace," when is now easy and must be left to your own conscithere was no peace? Did they not magnanimously ences and feelings. You are now engaged in one set their foot upon the line of the constitution, of the grandest struggles, to which freemen can and tell majesty to i's face that "they could not be called. You are contending for what you conbetray the public liberty," and that the monarch's ceive to be your constitutional rights, and for a only safety consisted "in governing according to final settlement of the terms upon which this the laws?" Did not their example, and consequent country may be perpetually united to the parent sufferings, kindle a flame that illuminated the land, and introduced that noble system of public and personal liberty, secured by the revolution? Since that period, have not the avowed principles of our greatest divines been against raising the church above the state; jealous of the national rights,

resolute for the protestant succession, favorable to the reformed religion, and desirous to maintain the fith of toleration? If exceptions have happen. ed, let no society of Christians stand auswerable for the deviations, or corruptions, of individuals.

state.

Look back, therefore, with reverence look back, to the times of ancient virtue and renown. Look back to the mighty purposes, which your fathers had in view, when they traversed a vast ocean, and planted this land. Recall to your minds their labors, their toils, their perseverance, and let a divine spirit animate you in all your actions.

Look forward also to distant posterity. Figure to yourselves millions and millions to spring from Heaven shall now approve or reject our councils. your loins, who may be born freemen or slaves, as Think that on you it may depend, whether this great country, in ages hence, shall be filled and adorned with a virtuous and enlightened people,

The doctrine of absolute non resistance has been fully exploded among every virtuous people. The free-born soul revolts against it, and must have been long debased, and have drank in the last dregs of corruption, before it can brook the idea "that a whole enjoying liberty and all its concomitant blessings, people injured may, in no case,' recognise their together with the religion of Jesus, as it flows trampled majesty." But to draw the line, and say uncorrupted from his holy oracles, or covered where submission ends and resistance begins, is with a race of men more contemptible than the not the province of the ministers of Christ, who savages that roam the wilderness, because they has given no rule in this matter, but left it to the once knew the things which belong to their happifeelings and consciences of the injured. For, when ness and peace, but suffered them to be hid from their eyes.

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•The author, in a sermon first published twenty years ago, on I. Pet. ii 17, delivered his sentiments fully on this point-in the following words, viz And while you thus look back to the past, and "It would be absurd to argue as some have done, forward to the future, fail not, I beseech you, to that the Apostle here meant to enjoin a continued look up to "the God of Gods-the rock of your submission to violence-The love of mankind, and

the fear of God, those very principles, from which salvation. As the clay in the potter's hands," so we trace the divine original of just government, are the nations of the earth in the hands of him, will lead us, by all probable means, to resist every

attempt to enslave the free-born soul, and oppose inculcated in general terms. For a people may the righteous will of God by defeating the happi- sometimes imagine grievances they do not feel, ness of men. Resistance, however, is to be a last but will never miss to feel and complain of them resource, and none but the majority of a whole peo- where they really are, unless their minds have ple, can determine in what cases it is necessary been gradually prepared for slavery by absurd

In the scriptures, therefore, obedience is rightly tenets."

the everlasting JEHOVAR!-be lif eth up, and he casteth down-He resisteth the proud and giveth grace to the humble-He will keep the feet of his saints---the wicked shall be silent in darkness, and by strength shall no man prevail.

While you profess yourselves contending for liberty, let it be with the temper and dignity of freemen, undaunted and firm, but without wrath or vengeance, so far as grace may be obtained to assist the weakness of nature. Consider it as a happy circumstance, if such a struggle must have The bright prospects of the gospel; a thorough happened, that God hath been pleased to postpone veneration of the Saviour of the world; a conscien- it to a period, when our country is adorned with tious obedience to his divines laws; faith in his men of enlightened zeal, when the arts and sciences promises, and the stedfast hope of immortal life are planted among us to secure a succession of through him, these only can support a man in all such men; when our morals are not far tainted by times of adversity as well as prosperity. You might luxury, profusion or dissipation; when the princimore easily "strike fire out of ice," than stability ples that withstood oppression, in the brighest or magnanimity out of crimes. But the good man, era of the English history, are ours as it were by he who is at peace with the God of all peace, will pecular inheritance; and when we stand upon our know no fear but that of offending him, whose hand own ground, with all that is dear around us, animatcan cover the righteous "so that he needs not fear ing us to every patriotic exertion. Under such "the arrow that fleeth by day, nor the destruction circumstances and upon such principles, what "that wasteth at noon-day; for a thousand shall wonders, what achievements of true glory, have "fall beside him, and ten thousand at his right not been performed? "hand, but it shall not come nigh to him; for he "shall give his angels charge over him to keep "him in all his ways."

On the omnipotent God, therefore, through his blessed Son, let your strong confidence be placed; but do not vainly expect that every day will be to you a day of prosperity or triumph. The ways of Providence lie through mazes, too intricate for human penetration. Mercies may often be held forth to us in the shape of sufferings; and the vicissitudes of our fortune, in building up the American fabric of happiness and glory, may be various and chequered.

But let not this discourage you. Yea, rather let it animate you with a holy fervor-a divine enthusiasm-ever persuading yourselves that the cause of virtue and freedom is the CAUSE of God upon earth; and that the whole theatre of human nature does not exhibit a more august spectacle than a number of freemen, in dependence upon Heaven, mutually binding themselves to encounter every difficulty and danger in support of their native and constitutional rights, and for transmitting them holy and unviolated to their posterity.

For my part, I have long been possessed with a strong and even enthusiastic persuasion that Heaven has great and gracious purposes towards this continent, which no human power or human device shall be able finally to frustrate. Illiberal or mistaken plans of policy may distress us for a while, and perhaps sorely check our growth; but if we maintain our own virtue; if we cultivate the spirit of liberty among our children; if we guard against the snares of luxury, venality and corruption, the GENIUS of AMERICA will still rise triumphant, and that with a power at last too mighty for opposition. This country will be free--xay, for ages to come, a chosen seat of freedom, arts, and heavenly knowledge; which are now either drooping or dead in most countries of the old world.

To conclude, since the strength of all public bodies, under God, consists in their UNION, bear with each other's infirmities, and even varities of The tempers of men are cast in various moulds. sentiments, in things not essential to the main point. Some are quick and feelingly alive in all their mental operations, especially those which relate to their country's weal, and are therefore ready to burst forth into flame upon every alarm. Others It was this principle that inspired the heroes agais, with intentions alike pure, and a clear unof ancient times; that raised their names to the quenchable love of their country, too stedfast to summit of renown, and filled all succeeding ages be damped by the mists of prejudice, or worked with their unspotted praise. It is this principle up into conflagration by the rude blasts of passion, 400 that must animate your conduct, if you wish think it their duty to weigh consequences, and to your names to reach future generations, conspicuous deliberate fully upon the probable means of obtainin the roll of glory; and so far as this principle ing public ends. Both those kinds of men should leads you, be prepared to follow-whether to life bear with each other; for both are friends to their country.

or to death.

One thing further let me add, that, without order directed to such, as thou in thy sovereign goodand just subordination, there can be no union in ness shall be pleased to render effectual for the public bodies. However much you may be equals salvation of a great empire, and re-uniting all its on other occasions, yet all this must cease in an members in one sacred bond of harmony and pubunited and associated capacity; and every individual lic happiness! Grant this, oh father, for thy son is bound to keep the place and duty assigned him, Jesus Christ's sake; to whom, with thee and the by ties far more powerful over a man of virtue and holy Spirit, one God, be glory, honor and power honor, than all the other ties which human policy now and forever! AMEN. can contrive. It had been better never to have lifted a voice in your country's cause, than to betray it by want of union; or to leave worthy men, who have embarked their all for the common good, to suffer, or stand unassisted.

ANNAPOLIS, 1775. In provincial convention, August 7, 1775, the following memorial of JAMES CHRISTIE, jun. of Baltimore town, merchant, was read—

To the honorable the delegates of the freemen of the province of Maryland, in convention now assembled.

Lastly, by every method in your power, and in every possible case, support the Laws of your coun try. In a contest for liberty, think what a crime The memorial of James Christie, jun. of Baltimore

it would be, to suffer one freeman to be insulted, or wantonly injured in his liberty, so far as by your means it may be prevented.

county

SHEWETH-That your memorialist did, on the 22d day of February last, write the letter, a copy

Thus animated and thus aeting-We may then of which is hereunto annexed, to his friend and SING with the prophet

cousin-german, lieutenant colonel Christie, in the island of Antigua: That, at the time of writing "Fear not, O land! be glad and rejoice, for the the said letter, your memorialist unfortunately "Lord will do great things. Be not afraid, ye could not approve of the measures then pursued "beasts of the field, for the pastures of the wilder-in this province, as a petition from the hon. conness do spring-The tree beareth her fruit--the tinental congress was then lying at the foot of the "fig-tree and the vine yield their fruit." throne of Great Britain, the result of which was

Thus animated and thus acting-we may like. not at that time known in America. wise FRAY with the prophet-

That the said letter, having been intercepted by "O Lord be gracious unto us--we have waited means, to your memorialist altogether unknown, "for thee. Be thou our arm every morning, our was, on the 13th of July instant, laid before the “salvation also in time of trouble. Some trust in committee of Baltimore county, who came to such "chariots and some in horses, but we will remem-resolutions on the same as will appear to this con"ber the name of the Lord our God-0 thou hope vention, by a copy of the proceedings hereunto "of Israel, the Saviour thereof in time of need- annexed: That, in pursuance of the said resolu "thou art in the midst of us and we are called by tions, your memorialist has already suffered a pain"thy name—LEAVE US NOT. Give us one heart and ful imprisonment, and hath paid to the guard ap"one way, that we may fear thee forever, for the pointed by the committee, the sum of thirty-one "good of ourselves and our children after us-We pounds, seventeen shillings and six pence current "looked for peace but no good came; and for a money, as will appear by the receipt for the same "time of health, but behold we are in trouble-Yet ready to be produced. "will we trust in the Lord forever; for in the Lord That, by a subsequent resolution of the said com. "Jehovah is everlasting strength-He will yet bind mittee on the 24th instant, the said guard was "up the broken hearted, and comfort those that discharged, on the application of your memorialist “mourn”—even so, oh! our God, do thou comfort for that purpose, upon your memorialist's giving and relieve them, that so the bones which thou an obligation, with five securities, not to depart hast broken may yet rejoice. Inspire us with a the province without leave of the said committee high and commanding sense of the value of our or this convention. And your memorialist preconstitutional rights: may a spirit of wisdom and sumes, with all deference, to say, that the letter virtue be poured down upon us all; and may our in question, the contents of which has excited so representatives, those who are delegated to devise much uneasiness in the minds of the good people and appointed to execute public measures, be of this province, could not be productive of any

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