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 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 
 
 
 
* 
 
 DISCOURSE, 
 
 IN TWO PARTS, 
 
 PREACHED AT THE 
 
 COMMENCEMENT 
 
 OF THE 
 
 Jttneteent!) Century 
 
 by JOHN LATHROP, d.d. 
 
 PASTOR. Off THE SECOND CHURCH IN BOSTON. 
 
 IMIBI llll 
 
 boston: 
 
 PRINTED BY E. LINCOLN, 
 
 For JOHN WEST, No. 75, Corkhill* 
 
 'i 
 
 1801. 
 
 
 
fc-ng 
 
 •Is "35 
 
 
Century, zDitcourACi 
 
 mm j'iHuw jwm , 
 
 Psalm lxxviii. t ^3, 6 £5* 7* 
 w / will open my mourn in a parable, i will 
 
 UTTER DARK SAYINGS OF OLD. 
 * c WHICH WE HAVE HEARD AND KNOWN? AND OUR 
 
 FATHERS HAVE TOLD US* 
 H THAT THE GENERATION TO COME MIGHT KNOW 
 
 THEM? EVEN THE CHILDREN WHICH SHALL BE 
 
 BORN : WHO SHALL ARISE AND DECLARE THEM 
 
 TO THEIR CHILDREN. 
 " THAT THEY MIGHT SET THEIR HOPE IN GOD? ANB 
 
 NOT FORGET THE WORKS OF GOD? BUT KEEP HIS 
 
 COMMANDMENTS** 
 
 VV HEN in the decline of life, it is 
 no fmall confolation, that we may ftill be ufeful, 
 by relating the remarkable interpofitions of Prov- 
 idence in favor of our country, which our fa- 
 thers have related to us ; and by transmitting 
 thofe maxims of wifdom, thofe doctrines and pre- 
 cepts, thofe civil and religious inftitutions, which 
 we have received, and which we were taught to 
 reverence. 
 
t U 1 
 
 ., 
 
 As we have not only finiflied one year, and 
 are now entering on another ; but have juft feen 
 the end of one important Century, and are enter- 
 ing on a new one, I have thought it might be 
 pleafing and ufeful, to place ourfelves, as on an 
 eminence, from which we may look back on the 
 paft, and look forward into the future. 
 
 Such a review of the pall, as we {hall be able 
 to bring intq the prefent exercife, you are fenfi- 
 ble, mult be very imperfect ; enough however 
 may be faid, to draw forth our gratitude and won- 
 der, and teach us to depend on the power and 
 goodnefs of God. 
 
 It would be pleafing, had we time, to go back 
 to the day on which the fathers of New-England 
 difcovered the mores of America, and mark their 
 principal labors and fufferings, as well as the 
 divine interpofitions, for their protection and 
 fafety. 
 
 Never did a company emigrate for nobler 
 purpofes ; never did people fubmit to more hard- 
 fhips, to fecure an inheritance for themfelves and 
 their children.. 
 
 But as a review of the whole fpace, from the 
 day our fathers difcovered the fhores of America 
 to the prefent date, would be too extenfive for 
 the time I now mean to requeft of you, we 
 fhall confine ourfelves to events of the laft 
 Century : and here, it may be unneceffary to 
 fay, we can attend only to a few of the meft 
 important. 
 
t f 3 
 
 At the beginning of the 18th Century, an am- 
 bitious and powerful monarch was on the throne 
 of France, and a queen of great celebrity on the 
 throne of England. Thofe two powerful nations 
 were confidered as natural enemies, and every ef- 
 fort was made by each to weaken and deftroy 
 the other. 
 
 From the enmities of thofe powerful nations, 
 and the neighbourhood of the French and Indians 
 to the Britifh Colonies, we may account for the 
 favage and cruel wars which were made on them 
 from the firft, and which were continued through 
 a great part of the Century now finifhed. 
 
 We will attend a few minutes to the condition 
 of the Colonies, in relation to France and Eng- 
 land, at the beginning of the Century. 
 
 As early as 1604, a Colony of French people 
 was fent to Canada by Henry the IVth. The 
 country was afterwards conquered by the Englilh, 
 but given up again by treaty in 1632. From that 
 time the French increafed their fettlements, and 
 never refted, until they obtained pofTeflion of all 
 the commanding waters, from the Gulf of St, 
 Lawrence to the Gulf of Mexico. 
 
 At the beginning of the laft Century, the 
 Britifh fettlements, which were chiefly on the fea 
 more, extended from Nova-Scotia to Georgia. 
 The French held the ereat rivers and lakes, with 
 the immenfe country back of us, from the north-. 
 eaft to the fouth-weft. 
 
! * 1 
 
 1The vaft wildernefs between the Englifli fet- 
 dements on the fea mores, and the French fettle- 
 memts back of us, was inhabited by numerous 
 favage tribes. 
 
 By arts the moft fubtle, and labors the moft 
 arduous, the favages were generally fecured in the 
 French inter eft. 
 
 Priests were employed among them every 
 where, who, to make them profelytes to the 
 church of Rome, not only loaded them with pres- 
 ents, but condefcended to their favage way of 
 life. 
 
 As the French had thus fecured the favages 
 in their intereft, whenever a war happened be- 
 tween the French and Englifh, thafe. numerous 
 tribes were employed to fpread alarm and mifery 
 on all our borders. <+ 
 
 It is difficult to conceive of a people expofed 
 to more dangers and hardfhips, than our fathers 
 were fubje&ed to, from the firft. 
 
 Having fome idea of their dangers and diffi- 
 culties, while attempting to fubdue the wildernefs, 
 and obliged to defend themfelves againft their en- 
 emies, it will be proper to point out fome of the 
 remarkable fteps by which the providence of God 
 conducted them, and raifed their offspring to 
 their prefent ftrength and glory. 
 
 It will not be faid, that an exercife of this fort 
 is too hiftorical for the pulpit, and for the Lord's 
 day, when it is confidered, it is a hiftory of re- 
 
 i 
 
 
t 9 3 
 
 markable interpofitlons of Providence in favor 
 of the fathers of our country : a hiftory of the 
 means by which the God of heaven has been 
 pleafed to conduct a handful of people, through 
 dangers and fufFerings, to a degree of ftrength 
 and refpectability, which demands the attention 
 of the world. No objection will be made to my 
 reading a hiftory of this fort, a hiftory in which 
 we are deeply interefted, when it is confidered, 
 a confiderable part of the Scriptures, which we 
 read in the houfe of God, is a hiftory of the He- 
 brew nation, or of individuals who made a figure 
 in the times when they lived. 
 
 But as I prefume none will object to my re- 
 lating fo much of the hiftory of our country, as 
 may be ncceffary to illuftrate the fubjedl before us, 
 I will go on. 
 
 At the beginning of the laft Century, the 
 American Colonies were in as great danger of 
 conqueft and overthrow, as at any time from the 
 firft. The French fettlements at the back of them 
 were increafed, and the tribes of favages, who 
 were under French influence, were in full ftrength. 
 Although retired a little from the neighbourhood 
 of the Engliih, the wildernefs was full of them. 
 
 Sad experience had made it evident, the Col- 
 onies could enjoy no lafting quiet, fo long as the 
 French had poffeflion of St. Lawrence and the 
 lakes. But how to difpoffefs them was the 
 queftion. 
 
c « i 
 
 Great Britain had done little or nothing for 
 the prote&ion of the infant fettlements. The pa- 
 rent country had witneffed the fufferings of her 
 children, but on account of more important en- 
 gagements, or reafons beft known to herfelf, fhe 
 fuffered them to ftruggle with their enemies, and 
 defend themfelves as well as they could ; until it 
 appeared that Lewis the XlVth was determined 
 to annex them to his American dominions. 
 
 Two unfuccefsful attempts were made by the 
 Britiih government to take Canada j one in 1690, 
 and the other in 171 1. . 
 
 While thofe attempts mowed either a want 
 of wifdom, or a want of fpirit, on the part of the 
 Englifh, they provoked the French and Indians 
 to greater cruelties. The country was kept in 
 continual alarm. Many towns were burnt ; ma- 
 ny people, men, women and children were mur- 
 dered. 
 
 Excepting fhort intervals of peace, the Col- 
 onies, particularly at the northward, were harraff- 
 ed by the French and Indians, without any effec- 
 tual check to their depredations, or fecurity 3 
 againft farther inroads, until the taking of Nova- 
 Scotia, in 1744, and Louifburgh, in 1745. 
 
 The fuccefs which attended a fmall body of 
 men, raifed in the New-England Colonies, and 
 affiled with a few ihips of war, aftonifhed all 
 Europe. 
 
 On that occafion, joy was expreffed in every 
 countenance. We, who remember the event, re* 
 
{ 9 1. 
 
 member alfo the offering of praife and thankfgiv- 
 ing which was made to the Moft High. Every 
 houfe almofl was a temple, and every heart an 
 altar. 
 
 i The French, exafperated at the lofs of an im- 
 portant fortrefs, which was indeed the key to 
 their fettlements, determined on an expedition 
 the next year, not only to regain what they had 
 loft, but to conquer the whole country* For thia 
 purpofe Duke de Anville failed from France with 
 a large naval force, and eight thoufand foldiers. 
 
 The news of this armament, and its deftina- 
 tion, filled the country with diftrefs : but our fears 
 were foon removed : the Heavens defended us i 
 by ficknefs and ftorms, a force which was fuffi- 
 cient to fpread confirmation and mifery through 
 all our coafts, was deftroyed. The Commander 
 in Chief put a period to his life by poifon, and 
 the fecond in command fell on his own fword. 
 
 A pious hiftorian of our own, the Rev. Dr. 
 Belknap, obferves, " Never was the hand of 
 Providence more vilible than on this occafiom 
 Never was a difappointment more fevere on the 
 fide of an enemy, nor a deliverance more com- 
 plete, without human help, in favor of this 
 country." 
 
 But while the inhabitants of the Colonies had 
 great reafon for thankfulnefs, and began to think 
 they fhould now have deliverance from their ene- 
 
 B 
 
[ io ] 
 
 mies, their repofe was but of fhort continuance, 
 and their troubles returned with aggravating 
 circumftances. 
 
 By the treaty of Aix la Chaple, in 1748, Lou- 
 ifburgh was given up to the French, and they 
 were again put in poffeflion of all their ftrong 
 holds at the eaft, the north and the weft. 
 
 Experience had taught the French, and their 
 favage allies, it would in future be lefs dangerous 
 to make inroads on the fouthern Colonies, than 
 on the northern ones. They accordingly took 
 poffeflion of fome advantageous pofts on the Ohio, 
 and in 1754 began to make encroachments on 
 Virginia. 
 
 Although the brave Washington entered 
 the road to military glory, in his attempts to repel 
 French encroachments and favage barbarities, in 
 1754 and 1755, the ftrength of the enemy remain- 
 ed formidable and alarming. 
 
 Braddock was defeated on the banks of Mo- 
 nongahela. The expeditions of Shirley and 
 Johnson againft Niagara and Crown Point, end- 
 ed in difappointment. 
 
 One General after another was fent from Eu- 
 rope to command; and recalled, one after another, 
 in difgrace. Such of us as were at that time paft 
 our childhood, remember the general diftrefs. It 
 feemed as if no force could be collected, fufficient 
 to flop the march of French trpops, or to defend 
 our country againft the infults of favages. 
 
[ M ] 
 
 In thofe days of diftrefs, all who had any fenfe 
 of religion, called on God ! He heard the cries of 
 the afflicted, and granted deliverance. 
 
 In 1758 an aftonifhing change took place in 
 the tide of events, which continued until the en- 
 emies of our country were put to confuiion, and 
 a peace was eftablifhed, greatly to the advantage 
 of England and the Colonies. 
 
 In 1758 Louifburgh was again taken from 
 the French ; they alfo loft feveral important 
 places at the weft. 
 
 In 1759 Qiiebeck furrendered to the fucceffor 
 of the immortal Wolf; and in 1760 all Canada, 
 with the fortreffes on the lakes, fubmitted to the 
 Britifh arms. 
 
 This was an event which had been long de- 
 fired, but from the difficulties which had attend- 
 ed prior attempts, an event fo happy, fo intereft- 
 ing, was little expected. 
 
 How did our' hearts rejoice on that occafion, 
 an occafion ftill frefh in the memory of many of 
 us ! " We fang praifes to the Lord, and talked 
 of all his wondrous works." We faid, " Had it 
 not been, the Lord was on our fide, when men 
 (of a ftrong nation, and tribes of favage name) 
 rofe up againft us, they had fwallowed us up 
 quick. The waters had overwhelmed us, the 
 ftream had gone over our foul." " Our foul is 
 efcaped as a bird out of the fnare of the fowler : 
 the fnare is broke and we are efcaped." 
 
L" * I 
 
 We who had fo long heard the noife of war, 
 and were in danger of total fubjugation to a per* 
 fecuting and defpotic government, faid within 
 ourfelves, in the day that the Lord wrought our 
 deliverance, " We ihall no more fee trouble. 5 ' 
 
 But our expectations were too flattering : we 
 were foon taught the millennium was not come. 
 Troubles arofe from a quarter we leafl expected ; 
 our deliverers became our opprefTors. 
 
 Before we had time to forget our fufferings, 
 and reft after the fatigues of a bloody war, exac- 
 tions were made by the parent country, which 
 were judged unjuft and cruel. 
 
 To enforce unlimited fubmifllon, the flrength 
 of Britain was directed againft the Colonies ! and 
 the very fayages, which the French had employ- 
 ed, but a few years before, to burn, and to mur- 
 der, were now engaged by the Britifh for the fame 
 dreadful purpofes. 
 
 The war thus made upon our country, the ef- 
 fects of which are Hill vifible, was more alarming 
 than any before ; becaufe the forces which Britain 
 could bring againft us by fea and land, were more 
 numerous than any other nation could bring. 
 Her navies commanded the ocean ; and all that 
 country at the north and the weft, which the 
 French had held in former wars, was now held by 
 the Englifti. The various tribes of Indians were 
 alfq at their direction. 
 
How foon was the fcene changed ! The joy 
 which we felt, on the conqueft of Canada, in- /""^ 
 1760, feemed to 11s as a dream. Poorly were we £ 
 able to contend with the mod powerful nation on 
 the earth : a nation which had lately humbled 
 France, and triumphed over all her enemies. But 
 we thought our caufe was juft, and Heaven was 
 propitious. 
 
 The force of Britain, with all her auxiliaries, 
 was refitted by the newly raifed troops of our 
 country, three years, without aid. After they had 
 obtained many fmaller advantages, and captured 
 one of the beft armies that England ever fent acrofs 
 the Atlantic, France interpofed, and by timely af- 
 fiflance, completed our deliverance. 
 
 Peace was again reftored. The terms obtained 
 by the minifters on the part of America, two of 
 whom are ftill living, were in all refpecfcs as ad- 
 vantageous as could have been expected, and fuch 
 as confounded the enemies of our country.* 
 
 At the treaty of Paris, in 1783, the thirteen 
 United States of America were acknowledged to 
 be free, fovereign, and independent ; and were ac- 
 cordingly admitted to the rank which they now 
 hold among the nations of the earth. 
 
 The fpace, from 1783, to the end of the Cen* 
 tury, has been crowded with events, highly 
 
 * His Excellency John Adams, now Prefident of the United States. 
 His Excellency John Jay, now Governor of New- York. 
 His ExcellencyB-ENjAMiN Frankun, now dead, 
 
t u 1 
 
 interefting to the American States, and to the 
 world. 
 
 Exhausted by an expenfive and diftrefling 
 war, the people fighed for repofe ; and having 
 fecured the great objeds, which had called forth 
 their utmoft exertion, they funk into a flate of 
 languor, from which nothing could roufe them 
 but new dangers. 
 
 A virtuous army, difcharged without pay, 
 and creditors of every defcription were neglected, 
 until they fuffered the lofs of a great part of what 
 was due to them. 
 
 The lofs of public credit was followed with 
 that lofs of private confidence, which had an un- 
 happy effect on the morals of the people, on com- 
 merce, and all improvements in fociety. 
 
 . The evils were every where felt, but the rem- 
 edy was not provided. 
 
 It was in vain that one State refolved to do 
 juftice to its creditors, until a general concur- 
 rence could be effected. Maffachufetts, however, 
 made the attempt, but the attempt met with 
 violent oppofition. 
 
 In 1786 the oppofers of government appeared 
 in open rebellion, and we were threatened with 
 the horrors of a civil war. Had thofe daring 
 leaders fucceeded in their firft attempts, the mil- 
 chief no doubt would have fpread and became 
 general. 
 
15 J 
 
 But that Providence, which has watched over 
 the American people from the beginning, and 
 which has often brought good out of evil, made 
 the rebellion in this State an occaiion of vaft ben- 
 efit to all the States of the Union : it haftened the 
 eftablifhment of the Federal Government, which 
 gave life and energy to the whole. 
 
 The eftablifhment of a government, which 
 bound all the States to each other, and poffeffed 
 fufficient ftrength to compel the delinquent, produ- 
 ced effects on the credit and commerce of the 
 country, which exceeded the mofl fanguine expec- 
 tation. 
 
 Confidence being reflored in government, it 
 was foon reflored between man and man. Proper- 
 ty, which had lain in a torpid and ufelefs ftate, in- 
 ftantly became valuable. Treafures, which had 
 lain in the chefts of the wealthy, came into circu- 
 lation. Agriculture was purfued with a fpirit 
 unknown, becaufe the produce of the fields and 
 of the paftures found a price at markets where 
 they had not been offered, before America became 
 a nation ; and the demands increafed, as commerce 
 extended. 
 
 The people of America were in the full pof- 
 feilion of all the civil and religious rights and lib- 
 erties, which any people can defire on earth ; they 
 were rapidly increafing in population, and in im- 
 provements in thofe things which lefTen the mif- 
 
t 16 3 
 
 eries, and which increafe the happinefs of focfety* 
 at the commencement of the prefent diftracled 
 condition of Europe* 
 
 The French revolution, which I dill think 
 originated in a defire to render the condition of 
 that nation more free and happy, has been fol- 
 lowed with confequences of the moil diftrefling 
 nature : confequences which the friends of the 
 revolution beheld with infinite concern, but were 
 not able to prevent* 
 
 The nation was foon divided into angry pari- 
 ties ; each endeavoring to deftroy its oppofite. In 
 thofe dreadful colli£ons, not only the king and 
 the royal family, but multitudes of innocent peo- 
 ple perifhed* 
 
 In a contention between the friends of ancient 
 forms, both of government and religion, and the 
 advocates for revolutions and amendments, the 
 neighbouring kingdoms felt interefled. 
 
 Those who were connected with the crown 
 of France, by blood or alliances, efpoufed the caufe 
 of injured royalty : thofe who wilhed to fee the 
 overthrow of canon and feudal fyftems, efpoufed 
 the caufe of the firft promoters of the revolution. 
 
 The conteft has been fevere, and the calamities 
 which have attended it find no parallels in the 
 laft Century, and very few in the hiftory of the 
 world. 
 
( 17 1 
 
 Europe is now panting and bleeding with 
 wounds innumerable. 
 
 In fuch dreadful feafons of war and mifery, 
 as the kingdoms of Europe have experienced irx 
 the lafl ten years, multitudes of innocent people 
 unavoidably fufFer. Neutrals, who wim to pur- 
 fue their bufinefs in quietnefs, are obftructed and 
 molefted. 
 
 While the utmoft endeavors were ufed, by 
 the Executive of the United States, to preferve 
 peace with the contending powers, and to .obtain 
 fatisfaction for the wrongs committed on Ameri- 
 can citizens, it was certainly expedient to put the 
 country in a defeniive pofition. 
 
 No youthful nation, perhaps, ever appeared in. 
 a more noble and commanding attitude, than did 
 the American, on the 13th of July, 1798, when 
 Adams was Preiident, and Washington accept- 
 ed the commiffion of " Lieutenant-General and 
 Commander in Chief of all the armies raifed, or 
 to be raifed, for the fervice of the United 
 States." 
 
 Goo knows what fcenes are to follow ! Wash- 
 ington is called to the world of fpirits, and 
 Adams will foon refign the high office which he 
 now holds to another. The reins of govern- 
 ment will be committed to new hands. Future 
 armies will be commanded bv new Generals. 
 
£ 18 1 
 
 Should they poffefs the talents and the virtues of 
 their illuftrious predecefTors, America may ftill 
 be happy. But, on the contrary, mould it fo 
 happen, (which we pray God to prevent) but 
 ihould it fo happen, that men, without talents or 
 without virtue, without prudence or difcretion ; 
 without thofe great qualifications, which the 
 rulers of our nation have hitherto pollerled, ob- 
 tain the high offices of government, pofterity will 
 weep over our country, and fay, The glory of 
 America departed with the eighteenth 
 Century. 
 
 I have now paffed, with as much hafte as 
 was confident with our prefent delign, over the 
 laft Century. I have been more particular, per- 
 haps, than was neceflary, in marking the events 
 which are ftill frefh in the memory of fuch of 
 you as are paft the middle of life ; but while it 
 is not amifs to call the attention of the aged to 
 the things which they have feen, it is of particu- 
 lar importance to teach the young what God 
 has done for them ; " that they might not for- 
 get the works of God, but keep his command- 
 ments." 
 
 The preceding narrative leads us to admire 
 the workings of Divine Providence, by which 
 the proud are humbled, and the crafty are difap- 
 pointed ; while the weak are protected, and 
 thofe who were ready to perifh are raifed to 
 eminence. 
 
C '9 1 
 
 The prefervation of our fathers in the wil- 
 dernefs, when but a handful, and when expofed 
 to the rage of the heathen and the French, who, 
 from the firft, were deviling mifchief againft 
 them, was nearly, if not in truth, miraculous. 
 
 In our day, and in years but lately paffed 
 away, the good hand of the Lord has protect- 
 ed us. 
 
 Little did the nations of the earth imagine, 
 a few Colonies, without fhips, without any reg* 
 ular troops, or preparations for war, could refift 
 the forces of Britain, ufed to conquer, and tri- 
 umphant on the other three quarters of the 
 world. But on thefe fhores the pride of 
 Britain was humbled ; her armies were con* 
 quered. 
 
 We will not fay, " By our own arm we have 
 gotten the victory." It was "the right hand 
 and the holy arm of the Almighty that fav- 
 ed us." 
 
 Never did a nation rife in the world, under 
 greater advantages than the American. Never 
 was a nation, fince the Hebrew, favored with 
 more lingular interpofitions of Divine Provi- 
 dence, for its protection and fafety. Never had 
 a nation ftronger reafons for gratitude and 
 praife. 
 
t 3° 1 
 
 Having attended to as many important events 
 as we have been able to crowd into the preced- 
 ing exercife, we are next to look forward to 
 things which may, and to things which will un- 
 doubtedly take place, before the prefent Century 
 fhall be finifhed. But this part of the Difcourfe, 
 which is the moft interefting, mull be left till 
 we meet again. 
 
bw^i— iwjuB-uii— a— ai ' iwi nw miiu'iiim'WunM 
 
 Genturu QDldcourde. 
 
 PART IL 
 
 Psalm lxxviii. 2^3, 6^7. 
 
 "/ #*7Z£ 0i>£iV MY MOUTH IN A PARABLE, I WILL; 
 
 UTTER DARK SAYINGS OF OLD. 
 " WHICH WE HAVE HEARD AND KNOWN, AND OUR 
 
 FATHERS HAVE TOLD US. 
 " THAT THE GENERATION TO COME MIGHT KNOW 
 
 THEM, EVEN THE CHILDREN WHICH SHALL BE 
 
 BORN : WHO SHALL ARISE AND DECLARE THEM 
 
 TO THEIR CHILDREN. 
 * c THAT THEY MIGHT SET THEIR HOPE IN GOD, AN& 
 
 NOT FORGET THE WORKS OF GOD, BUT KEEP HIS 
 
 COMMANDMENTS.'* 
 
 X O preferve, and to tranfmit knowl- 
 edge of the moil valuable kind, there was not on-, 
 ly a record made of the divine communications 
 to the patriarchs and prophets, but men of re* 
 ligion, and men whofe years gave them import- 
 ance, related to their children the inftructions 
 which their fathers had given them, together 
 
[ 22 2 
 
 with the ftory of what they had heard and 
 feen. 
 
 In fuch ways hiftorical facts were not only 
 preferved, but thofe religious opinions, thofe 
 maxims of wifdom, thofe rules of conduct, thofe 
 cufloms and practices, which form the character 
 of tribes and nations, were kept in remembrance, 
 and imprefTed with happy effect on young minds, 
 from generation to generation. 
 
 The laudable cuftom of the ancients, which 
 has now been mentioned, fuggefted to me the 
 propriety of giving to my Difcourfe, at the be- 
 ginning of the year, and of the Century, the par- 
 ticular caft which you have, and which you may 
 farther obferve. 
 
 Having marked as many important events 
 in the hiftory of the 1 8th Century, as we could 
 conveniently, when we were laft together, we 
 {hall now, agreeably to the method propofed, 
 look forward, and in our thoughts, anticipate 
 fome events which may, and fome which certainly 
 will take place, before the Century now begun 
 fhall be iinifhed. 
 
 This is a more difficult work than we have 
 already performed. Of the things which are 
 paft, which have been acted and finiihed, we may 
 have fufficient knowledge from books and rec^ 
 ords, and the hiftory tranfmitted to us ; but 
 
t »3 3 
 
 who, without the fpirit of prophecy, can tell us 
 what is yet to come ? 
 
 Solomon, indeed, tells us, "That which hath 
 been, is now j and that which is to be, hath al- 
 ready been." The words of Solomon, however, 
 muft be taken in a qualified fenfe. Like caufes 
 produce like effects ; but when the caufes do not 
 exift, the effects cannot. 
 
 There is a fufficient uniformity in the revo- 
 lutions of the heavenly bodies, in the feafons, 
 and in the common events of life, from year to 
 year, and from age to age, to juftify the royal 
 preacher in faying, " That which hath been, is 
 now ; and that which is to be, hath already 
 been, and there is no new thing under the fun ;" 
 while it is evident, many very interefting events 
 take place in one age of the world, and in one 
 Century of years, which do not, and are not to 
 be expected in another. 
 
 Some things may be expected, becaufe the 
 figns of them are forefeen, and the caufes are 
 evidently at work, which, if not counteracted by 
 oppofite principles, will produce them. 
 
 Some things may be expected, becaufe they 
 are in the courfe of nature, 'and muft take place 
 in due time, unlefs prevented by a miracle. 
 
 I will, in the firft place, requeft your attention 
 to fome things which may be expected, becaufe 
 
C 24 3 ' 
 
 the figns of them are forefeen, and the caufes are 
 evidently at work, which, if not counteracted by 
 oppofite principles, will produce them. 
 
 We fhall then attend to fome things which 
 are to be expected, becaufe they are in the courfe 
 of nature, and mull take place in due time, unlefs 
 prevented by a miracle. 
 
 First, we mall attend to fome things which 
 may be expected, becaufe the figns of them are 
 forefeen, and the caufes are evidently at work, 
 which, if not counteracted by oppofite principles, 
 will produce them. 
 
 Our Lord, having foretold the deftruction of 
 Jerufalem, and the ruin of the nation, faid unto 
 his difciples, who wifhed to know when they were 
 to look for thofe things, "Now learn a parable of 
 the fig-tree ; when his branch is yet tender, and 
 putteth forth leaves, ye know that fummer is 
 nigh , fo in like manner, ye, when ye fhall fee all 
 thefe things, know that it is near, even at the 
 door." 
 
 There are caufes which tend to the growth 
 and refpectability of families, of States, and of na- 
 tions ; and there are caufes which as certainly 
 tend to their difgrace and ruin. 
 
 There are caufes which tend to the advance- 
 ment of knowledge, of virtue and true religion ; 
 
 
C *5 ] 
 
 and there are caufes which tend to ignorance, vice 
 and infidelity. 
 
 The general principles, now mentioned, will 
 never be called in queftion. Let us confider them 
 with reference to our own country, and our fu- 
 ture expectations. 
 
 The beginning of the 19th Century finds 
 the United States of America under circumflances 
 more favorable to the enjoyment of rational hap* 
 pinefs, than any other quarter of the globe. 
 
 Should we look back, and attend to the 
 means which have been ufed, and the caufes which 
 have been working, to bring the United States 
 to their prefent condition, we may conclude, if 
 the fame means, or means of a like nature, are 
 continued, the condition of our country may be 
 ftill improved, and the fources of enjoyment may 
 be more extended. 
 
 What was the object, which our fathers 
 placed before them, when they crofied the At- 
 lantic, and planted themfelves on the American 
 fhores ? The great object, which the fathers of 
 the New-England Colonies more particularly had 
 in view, was the enjoyment and fecurity of 
 rights and liberties, of a religious and civil na- 
 ture, which were denied them at home. 
 
 What means did they ufe, fo foon as they 
 had opportunity ? What means did they begin 
 
 D 
 
C * 1 
 
 to ufe when they began their fettlements, and 
 continued with unabating zeal, to fecure and 
 tranfmit thofe rights and liberties, which they 
 confidered as their moft valuable inheritance ? 
 Befides common induftry, prudence, and fim- 
 plicity of manners, the means which they ufed, 
 and on which they moft depended, for the fe- 
 curity of the rights and liberties which they 
 came here to enjoy, were the means of knowl- 
 edge and religion. 
 
 A sufficient number of people were no 
 fooner fettled in any part of the country, than 
 provifion was made for the fupport of fchools 
 and public worfhip. 
 
 By town and parifh regulations, the inhab- 
 itants were formed into affociations for their mu- 
 tual benefit. By frequently meeting together for 
 the worfhip of God, and for other purpofes, 
 they know each other's circumftances, and cul- 
 tivate an intereft in each other's welfare. The 
 poor are affifted ; the vicious are exhorted ; the 
 irregular are reftrained ; the idle are taught the 
 neceflity of induftry and prudence, and all in 
 general are taught their duty. 
 
 That a fufficient number of young men may 
 be qualified for teachers of religion, for mafters 
 of fchools, and other interefting employments in 
 fociety, a college was early eftablifhed in this 
 Colony, which example was followed in feveral 
 
C =7 3 
 
 of the other Colonies, fo foon as they were 
 able. 
 
 Although fome people, at this day, treat 
 the memory of our fathers with difrefpecl:, and 
 reprefent them as weak and fuperftitious, we 
 are exceedingly indebted to them for the civil 
 and religious inftitutions, which they were fo 
 careful to eftablifh. To the inftitutions of our 
 fathers, we are, under God, principally indebted 
 for our profperity and happinefs. 
 
 Should the means of knowledge, which the 
 inhabitants of the American States now enjoy, be 
 continued ; mould they preferve a reverence for 
 religion, a love for virtue, for order and the pub- 
 lic good, we may venture to predict their future 
 profperity and happinefs. Should the caufes con- 
 tinue to operate, which have raifed the American 
 people to their prefent ftrength and refpe&ability, 
 their greatnefs, before the end of the Century, will 
 furpafs what we can eafiiy imagine. 
 
 The immenfe extent of country, between the 
 Atlantic and the inland feas, at the northward 
 and the weft, will be filled with civilized inhabit- 
 ants. Towns and cities will adorn the banks of 
 thofe deep waters, which have hitherto miniftered 
 to no commerce, fuperior to that which was waft- 
 ed in the barque of the wandering native. 
 
 To fupport the vaft population, fields with corn, 
 and paftures with flocks, will be feen in thofe re- 
 
D M J 
 
 gions of wilder nefs, which have hitherto been the 
 abode of the favage, and the range of the wolf 
 and. the bear. The mountains will appear like 
 Lebanon ; and the hills, like the hill of God. 
 
 If ou will allow me, however, to exprefs my 
 fears, that things, very different from what we 
 have now contemplated with pleafure, may take 
 place. 
 
 The caufes, neceffary to produce the future 
 flrength and glory of America, which we fondly 
 anticipate, may either ceafe to operate, or other 
 caufes may come into exiftence, which fhall pre-. 
 vent the effects we expect. 
 
 Certain changes, in the opinions and habits 
 of the American people, may take place, which 
 fhall bring on a condition more gloomy, than we 
 can eafily conceive. 
 
 We have feen what the Colonies were able to 
 do, when united and virtuous. When few in 
 number, and when they had none on earth to 
 help them, they defended themfelves againft the 
 favages of the wildernefs, and againft all the 
 forces which France and Britain, at different times, 
 were able to bring againft them. But the union, 
 which gave flrength to the American people, in 
 their contefts with favages, and with foreign ene- 
 mies, may not always continue : fufpicions and jeal- 
 oufies, which have a repelling force, may fo divide 
 the people from each other, from the.government, 
 
 
 
C *9 ] 
 
 and from their beft interefts, as to render them 
 contemptible and wretched. 
 
 Our country profpered beyond example, while 
 there was a difpofition to fupport the religious, 
 the civil, and the literary inftitutions which our 
 fathers eftablifhed, and which they charged their 
 offspring to cherifh in all generations. But it is 
 far from being certain, that all fucceeding gener* 
 ations will efteem thofe things which were highly 
 efteemed by the patriarchs of our country. 
 
 Hitherto the government of the Colonies, 
 and of the now United States, has encouraged 
 learning, and protected the wormippers of the 
 true God. This, however, may not be always 
 the cafe. 
 
 Should the disorganizing principles of mod- 
 ern infidels prevail, religion will be defpifed, and 
 its inftitutions will be neglected. In this coun- 
 try, religion and learning have been clofely aU 
 lied : they have conftantly given aid to each 
 other. The friends of one were the friends of 
 both. If feparated, both will decay. If an at* 
 tempt mall ever be made to fupport one without 
 the other, both will withdraw their cheering in- 
 fluence, and leave the country in darknefs and 
 guilt. 
 
 It is poilible fuch a change may take place, in 
 the opinions of the people and of the government 
 of this country, as mall have the mod unhappy 
 
t 30 ] 
 
 effect on literature and morals, and, in fhort, on 
 all thofe inftitutions which were highly efteemed 
 by our fathers, and which we have been always 
 taught to refpect. 
 
 The time may come, when learning fhall be 
 defpifed, when fchools fhall be neglected, when 
 colleges and churches fhall be fufFered to fall to 
 the ground ; when the worfhip of God fhall be 
 ridiculed, and the fupport of the Chriftian re- 
 ligion fhall be confidered as a burden no longer 
 to be endured. 
 
 The time may come, when the leaders of the 
 people may wifh to have a government in which 
 there mall be no acknowledgment of a God, no 
 obligations of a facred nature, no regard to a 
 future exiftence. 
 
 Such a change in the opinions, in the mor* 
 als and habits of the American people, as we have 
 now fufFered ourfelves to imagine, we know is 
 fojjible. We know fuch a change is poffible, be- 
 caufe fuch changes have taken place in other 
 parts of the world. By induftry and hard labor, 
 the wide extended wildernefs in other quarters 
 of the world has been turned into fruitful fields, 
 into villages and cities ; in which the virtues have 
 been cultivated, fcience and religion have flour* 
 ifhed. The people of thofe very countries have 
 afterwards become idle and vicious, intemperate, 
 luxurious and impious. Their fruitful fields and 
 cities have been laid wafte, and turned again in- 
 
« 
 
 t 3* 3 
 
 to a wildernefs. The wretched inhabitants were 
 either deftroyed, or fuffered to continue in pov* 
 erty, and leave pofterity to inherit their miferies. 
 Many countries might be named, were it necef- 
 fary, which have, in ages paft, experienced 
 changes diftreffing to contemplate. No other hif- 
 tory need be confulted for proof, than the rec- 
 ords of the Jews. 
 
 Such a change in the opinions, the morals 
 and habits of the people of this country, as mall 
 prove ruinous to the inflitutions of our fathers, 
 and in the end fruftrate the deiign of their ven- 
 turing to thefe fhores, we know is pqj/ible, but you 
 will fay, fuch a change is highly improbable. 
 
 But why, let me afk, why is fuch a change 
 highly improbable ? 
 
 Is it highly improbable that the inhabitants 
 of this country will, at fome future day, entertain 
 an opinion, that our fathers were weak and fu- 
 perftitious \ and that, however proper their in- 
 ftitutions were in the infant (late of the country, 
 they are not to be regarded by their more wife 
 and liberal offspring ? 
 
 Is it highly improbable, that before the end 
 of this Century, a majority of the people of 
 America will be fo corrupt in principle and prac- 
 tice, as to diflike the restraints of religion, and 
 wifh no longer to be reproved or exhorted ? 
 
 Is it highly improbable, that within a hundred 
 years, more than one half of the influential peo- 
 
[ 32 J 
 
 pie in the United States of America will be un- 
 believers of the Gofpel, and of courfe enemies to 
 the Chriftian religion ? 
 
 Should that be the cafe, can we fuppofe, after 
 fuch a change in the opinions and habits of the 
 people, our country would be bleffed with virtu- 
 ous and Chriftian rulers ? 
 
 * 
 
 So long as the government of our country 
 fiiall be eleclive, it may be fuppofed the people 
 will appoint fuch men to the high offices as favor 
 their opinions. 
 
 Should a time come, when the greater part 
 of the people in this country cherifh principles 
 of infidelity, and defpife the Gofpel, it may be ex- 
 pected the rulers of the country will be infidels ; 
 and of courfe, the religion of Chrift will be dis- 
 couraged, its minifters will be defpifed, if not per- 
 fecuted ; the Sabbath will be profaned ; the wor- 
 fhip of God, and the moft facred ordinances, will 
 be neglected and ridiculed. 
 
 While our government fhall continue to be 
 elective, the public opinion muft give it both form 
 and complexion. If the people fhall generally re- 
 main virtuous, the government will be fuch as 
 to pleafe them : but ihould the time come, when 
 the people in general, when a majority of thofe 
 who make the laws and appoint the rulers, love 
 vice and hate religion, the government will be cor- 
 rupt, the rulers will be impious, and the ruin of 
 our country will be inevitable. 
 
[ 33 ] 
 
 I have no willi to lefTen your prefent happi- 
 nefs, or diilurb your repofe, by exciting unnec- 
 effary fears : but in faithfulnefs, I mufl fay, there 
 are fymptorns of degeneracy, at this prefent time, 
 which portend evils of the moil ferious nature. 
 
 There are caufes now in operation, which, 
 if not counteracted in lefs than an hundred years 
 from this time, will give quite a new complexion 
 to the moral and political Hate of our country. 
 
 There have been men in various parts of the 
 United States, who, by converfation and by writ- 
 ing, have endeavored to prejudice the people 
 againfl the laws, and the adminiflration of the 
 government. Our greatefl benefactors have been 
 reviled ; their moil diimterefled actions have been 
 attributed to bafe and felfifh motives. Such has 
 been the fpirit of party, and fuch the confequences 
 of mifreprefentation, and the abufe which has 
 been call on the befl characters among us, that 
 the reputation of none, who have been diftin- 
 guifhed on either fide, could be fafe. Should 
 this evil fpirit continue to work, and the divif- 
 ions excited thereby increafe, from year to year, 
 our government mull fall a facrifice to falfe no- 
 tions of liberty, and our moll precious rights be- 
 come the prey of the licentious and profligate. 
 
 What I fhall next mention is ftill more alarm- 
 ing ; there are men in various parts of our coun- 
 try, efpecially in populous towns and cities, who 
 
 E 
 
I 34 1 
 
 are confhntly endeavoring to prejudice the people 
 againft the Chriftian religion. In the capital of 
 one of the States, lectures are delivered and pub- 
 HJhed againft Christ and the Bible. You would 
 be furprifed, if you knew with what induftry fuch 
 books are circulated, and with what avidity they 
 are read, as reprefent the writings of the prophets 
 and apoftles as fables, which ought to be treated 
 with as little refpecfc as the fables of the heathen. 
 
 Such caufes are now operating ; and the ef- 
 fects are already vifible, in the increafe of infidel- 
 ity, in the growing contempt for religious inftitu- 
 tions, and neglect of public worfhip. 
 
 But perhaps you will fay, if this be all true, 
 we muft not be difcouraged, nor have we occa- 
 fion to be alarmed, as if fome new thing had hap- 
 pened, or caufes were now at work, to deftroy 
 Chriftianity, which were never at work before. 
 There have always been infidels, and the greateft 
 part of the world has been unfriendly to the 
 Chriftian religion from the beginning, yet the 
 Gofpel remains, and the powers of hell have not 
 been able to banifh it from the earth. 
 
 It is granted ; but while infidels have not been 
 able to deftroy Chriftianity, they have driven the 
 Gofpel from particular parts of the earth, where 
 it once flourifhed, and given the government to 
 thofe who would not fuffer Chriftians to dwell 
 in their light. 
 

 t 35 1 
 
 Many of thofe delightful parts of the world., 
 which now fupport the mofques of Mahomet, or 
 the altars of paganifm, once fupported the churches 
 of Chrift. Infidels prevailed againft the followers 
 of Jefus, and either deftroyed, or drove them 
 away. 
 
 Instances enough are to be found, to fhow 
 us what the friends of religion would have rea- 
 fon to fear, were the government in the hands of 
 infidels, or men grofsly wicked. 
 
 We have therefore reafon to be alarmed, 
 when we fee infidelity prevailing, and know that 
 certain caufes are operating, which will bring 
 mifery and ruin on our country, if not oppofed 
 with zeal and activity. 
 
 What then fhall we do, perhaps you will in- 
 quire, what fhall we do to prevent the apprehend- 
 ed, the approaching mifchief ? 
 
 I will anfwer ; do every thing in your power 
 to fupport and ftrengthen thofe civil and religous 
 institutions, which our fathers honored, and in 
 the obfervance of which their children rofe to 
 refpecl. Do every thing to promote virtue, 
 order, peace and unity. Watch over the mor- 
 als of the young with the utmoft care. Teach 
 them obedience to parents, obedience to gov- 
 ernment, and obedience to God. Prevent, as 
 much as poffible, the increafe of infidelity, and 
 the diffemination of all corrupting opinions, E#« 
 
C 3« 3 
 
 courage learning and religion, the only pillars 
 which can fupport our prefent comfort, and our 
 future expectations. 
 
 The hiftory of our own country, and the 
 knowledge which we have of human nature, warn 
 us againft confiding too much in the promifes and 
 friendihip of any nations on earth. Nations are 
 governed by their own interests, and often by the 
 pride, the jealoufy, and the refentment of thofe 
 who are in high offices. 
 
 The moft warlike nations of Europe have, at 
 different times, been our friends and our enemies. 
 
 While we treat all the nations with whom 
 we have any connexion, with due refpect, we are 
 bound by particular obligations to our own. 
 
 It is the American character, combined with 
 the Chriftian, which we are concerned to fupport. 
 
 Ambition for the honor of our country is a 
 noble ambition. The man who has no regard for 
 the honor of the country to which he belongs, is 
 unworthy of its bleffings. The man who loves 
 another country more than he loves the country 
 which gave him birth, had better go to the coun- 
 try which he admires, and leave the land of his 
 nativity to fuch as know how to enjoy it. 
 
 While we pray for the happinefs of all man* 
 kind, we are more particularly concerned for the 
 country in which we live. 
 

 
 t 37 ] 
 
 The Hebrews were taught to pray for the 
 peace and profperity of Jerufalem : the obliga- 
 tion is of equal force on Americans. 
 
 The happinefs of our country embraces the 
 happinefs of all ranks and orders of people, from 
 the higheft to the loweft. People of all ranks 
 and orders will add to the general happinefs, by 
 giving fupport to religion, to learning, and to 
 good government. 
 
 Having exprelfed my mind with the freedom 
 which I have always indulged, and led you to 
 meditate on fome events which we have reafon 
 to fear will take place, but which we ftill hope 
 God will mercifully prevent ; before I clofe the 
 Difcourfe, I mud lead you to think of fome events 
 which we may expect, with certainty, and which 
 to us are highly important. 
 
 Among the events which we may expect, with 
 certainty, and which to us are highly important, 
 I will mention our own death, and the death of 
 pur moil valuable connexions. 
 
 Every year makes an alteration in the con- 
 dition of our families and friends. A coniider- 
 able number of thofe who were prefent, and 
 heard me fpeak at the beginning of the laft year, 
 are now dead. An equal number will probably 
 die before the prefent year mall be finimed : and 
 before the end of the Century now begun, we 
 fnall all be dead ! 
 
C 33 3 
 
 Another voice will be heard from this pulpit, 
 if the houfe, in which we are now affenibled, fhall 
 continue to be a place of religious worfhip. 
 
 Other people will occupy your feats. Your 
 time for hearing will be finifhed, as well as my 
 time for fpeaking. The places which now know 
 us, will know us no more : we fhall no more be 
 feen to come and go together from the houfe 
 of God. 
 
 Before the end of the prefent Century, we 
 fliall all — not only thofe who are now advanced 
 in life, but thofe who are now young — we mall 
 all be filent in the grave ! 
 
 This is a folemn thought : it calls for folemn 
 improvement, 
 
 Permit me, therefore, to fpeak to you with 
 all the feeling of your pallor, who muft ere long 
 give an account to God, and with all the affection 
 of a friend, who wifhes to do you good. 
 
 Permit me to leave with you my teftimony 
 to the Gofpel, which I have fo long preached, 
 and my beft wifhes for your prefent and future 
 lrappinefs. 
 
 I declare unto you, I have no hope of a hap- 
 py exiftence beyond the grave, but that which the 
 Gofpel gives rne. I believe the Gofpel. The 
 evidence which I have frequently laid before you 
 
C 39 ] 
 
 is fufficient'to convince me, the Gofpel is a meffage 
 from God. 
 
 I believe Jefus Chrifl died for finners ; I be- 
 lieve he arofe from the dead, and that all who 
 humbly obey him, will be happy forever. Let 
 me then, above all things, befeech you to receive 
 and obey the Gofpel. 
 
 The Gofpel is not a cunningly devifed fable. 
 Whatever the bufy apoflles of infidelity ; what- 
 ever the difciples of the ancient or the modern 
 fchool of atheifm may have infinuated, the Gofpel 
 is not a cunningly devifed fable. It is a meffage 
 of divine grace, brought to mankind by a perfon 
 of infinite dignity -> and it demands our ferious 
 confideration. 
 
 I believe the happinefs of our country, with 
 which our comfort in this life is clofely connected, 
 depends on its virtue, on its union, on its adher- 
 ence to thofe religious and civil inftitutions which 
 our fathers taught us to reverence. 
 
 Were it poffible, therefore, for me to know, 
 this Difcourfe, at the beginning of the year, and at 
 the beginning of the nineteenth Century, will be 
 the laft I fhall ever deliver to you, I would clofe 
 life, and the miniftry which I have received of the 
 Lord, befeeching you to " hold faft the profeflion. 
 of your faith without wavering, for he is faithful 
 that promifed." Give no heed^ " to feducing 
 
 
 
[ 4» ] 
 
 fpirits," or to any who may feek to " turn you 
 from the holy commandment." 
 
 " Finally, brethren, be of good comfort, be 
 of one mind, live in peace : and the very God of 
 peace fan&ify you wholly : and I pray God your 
 whole fpirit, and foul, and body be preferved 
 blamelefs, unto the coming of our Lord Jefus 
 Chriil." 
 
 A M E A\ 
 
LIBHAHVOFCONG™ 
 
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