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SERMON 
 
 DELIVERED 
 
 At PLYMOUTH, 
 
 DECEMBER 2\st, 1804 ; 
 THE ANNIVERSARY of the LANDING o? 
 
 Our jTatfjer^ 
 
 In DECEMBER, 1620. 
 
 Bv ALDEN BRADFORD,, A. m. s. h. s. 
 
 Published at the request of Ephraim Spooner and Roseter Cot* 
 TON, Esq'rs. and Capt. Joseph Bartlett, the Committeft 
 of the town of Plymouth, by whose desire it was delivered.^ 
 
 BOSTON ■ 
 PatN-TED »Y GILB^^T £5* DEAN, No. rS, STAik-SiRXET. 
 Vi )\ Jan. 1805. 
 

 m 
 
 1^ 
 
 UJ 
 
A SERMON, &c. 
 
 mss^ei: 
 
 EXODUS, c. XII, V. 14. 
 
 " jiifD this day shall be unto you for a memorial : and ye shall 
 keep, it a feast to the LORD throughout your generationa ; 
 ye shall keep it a feast by a7i ordinance forever." 
 
 If the birth of statesmen and heroes, 
 who contributed to their country's glory — if e- 
 vents connected with the prosperity and aggran- 
 dizement of a nation, may justly claim a grate- 
 ful recollection ; surely, the first settlement of 
 New-England, when viewed in connection with 
 the motives in which it originated, the characters 
 by which it was conducted, or its consequences 
 to the improvement and happiness of mankind, 
 as well as to the inhabitants of this new world, 
 deserves to be devoutly celebrated. The mem- 
 ory of our pious and renowned ancestors, who, 
 amidst dangers and sufferings almost unparallel- 
 ed, under the guiding and protecting hand of 
 Providence, here effected the first permanent es- 
 tablishment of Christianity and civilized society, 
 should be consecrated with the purest rites. 
 
 This solemn and joyful anniversary, cannot 
 fail to be devoutly noticed, whilst civil and reli- 
 gious freedom are held in due estimation by the 
 
[ 4 3 
 
 people of America. The day should be sacred 
 in the annals of our country. Our youth should 
 be early taught to respect the characters, to im- 
 bibe the principles, and to imitate the man- 
 ners of the Fathers of New-England. Every 
 succeeding generation should be told of the great 
 things \\hich Providence accomplished in their 
 favor ; and of the rich blessings which are de- 
 rived to us from their sacrifices and toils. 
 
 In antient days, the Hebrews were required 
 to celebrate their emancipation from Egyptian 
 bondage — to observe the anniversary as a memo- 
 rial ajid a feast unto the Lord ; that they might 
 remember thevisehes and shew unto their children 
 the ivonderful poivcr of Jehovah in fai^or of their- 
 nation ; and thus renew their devout gratitude to 
 heaven. With equal propriety may the descend- 
 ants of those virtuous and heroic men, whom 
 heaven here planted, protected and prospered, 
 commemorate their deliverances, and the gra- 
 cious interposition of Providence in their behalf. 
 
 But it will not be expected that wx dv/ell 
 minutely upon their enterprizes and sufferings ; 
 nor recount particularly the wonders connected 
 with the story of their early settlement. The 
 lips of the orator, and the pen of the historian 
 have frequently furnished us with a relation of 
 their adventures, their perils and calamities, and 
 of the remarkable things which God did for 
 them in their helpless, destitute situation. Wc 
 have often heard of their persecutions and im- 
 prisonments in England, for conscience sake — 
 of their pilgrimages in Holland — of the wants 
 which they experienced, and the hazards to 
 which they were exposed, on this dangerou.'i 
 coast, at this severe season of the year, through 
 the sordid treachery of x^2iXi.(a) With astonish-- 
 
 (See note a) 
 
[ 5 ] 
 
 rneut and anxiety, we liave followed their un- 
 daunted leaders from a distant harbour on yon- 
 der peninsula, searehing the indented shores for 
 some safe retreat for their wives and children. 
 We have trembled with fear, whilst their feeble 
 bark hung upon those white billows, whose 
 " foaming fury" affrightens the most experien- 
 ced mariners. And on that nether isle, the mo- 
 ment their feet pressed the solid ground, with 
 enkindling devotion we have seen them prostrate 
 before their God, acknowledging his protection 
 and mercy, and devoting the day to his worship 
 and service, fbj Amidst all the dangers which 
 threatened them from the savage tribes of the 
 wilderness, and under the pressure of accumula- 
 ted wants and sufferings, which they endured for 
 many years, we gratefully recollect their pa- 
 tience, faith and piety ; their wisdom, magna- 
 nimity and courage ; and the favor and protection 
 of Heaven. 
 
 The religious character of our fathers, the 
 principles and motives, by which they were ac- 
 tuated in the hazardous enterprize of establish- 
 ing themselves and posterity in this country, par- 
 ticularly merit attention and celebration. Their 
 settlement here originated, not in views of wealth, 
 ambition, or conquest : It was not undertaken 
 from a desire to possess extensive territory ; to 
 become the founders of a new Empire ; nor to 
 secure temporal power and glory ibr their chil- 
 dren ; though considerations of this kind, would 
 have entitled them to a name among the heroes 
 and great men of the earth. They sought anoth- 
 er and a better country. Their hearts and treas- 
 ures were in Heaven. 
 
 Otheh men have explored distant and bar- 
 barous countries, and, with wonderful perseve- 
 
 (Sec note Ij) 
 
C 6 ] 
 
 ranee have submitted to toils and dangers, to 
 gratify a sordid or ambitious spirit — to gain 
 wealth or power. But such motives and views 
 had no place in the breasts of the pious Fathers 
 of New- England. To impart the knowledge of 
 Christianity to heathen nations ; to enjoy the pri- 
 vilege of worshiping God according to the direc- 
 tions of inspiration, of observing the institutions 
 and ordinances of the gospel, free of the arbitra- 
 ry inventions of men ; and to secure for their 
 posterity these invaluable blessings, were their 
 primary objects in emigrating from civilized Eu- 
 ! ope to this inhospitable shore. With a few ex- 
 ceptions, it would be difficult to designate char- 
 acters, since the days of primitive Christianity, 
 uniting such fortitude and zeal in the cause of 
 divine truths. They were animated by the pur- 
 est and noblest views. And to accomplish their 
 pious resolutions, they voluntarily exposed them- 
 selves to the severest deprivations and sufferings. 
 
 It is true, our ancestors have not often ob- 
 tained a splendid character in the page of histo- 
 ry. As in the first age of Christianity, so in 
 later periods, not many nvise men^ according to the 
 estimation of the world, not many mighty^ not ma- 
 ny nolle ^ are to be found among the chosen people 
 of God. ButRoBiNsoN, Brewster and Wins- 
 low could boast of literary and scientific acquire- 
 ments : and others of them were not destitute of 
 the improvements of a good education. /^c^ And 
 for bold enterprize and undaunted courage, 
 Standish need not yield the palm to the heroes 
 of any age. 
 
 It is however for their moral and religious 
 qualities, that they so deservedly receive the tri- 
 bate of our respect and veneration. It cannot 
 but inspire us v»ith a noble pride to reflect, that 
 
 (See note c) 
 
[ 7 ] 
 
 our Fathers were of a totally different character 
 from many adventurers both in antient and mod- 
 ern days, who have been so polluted with crimes, 
 they were compelled to flee their native country, 
 and seek a residence in distant and foreign lands. 
 They were distinguished by their rigid virtue, 
 and their elevated piety. If obnoxious to their 
 countrymen, it was only for a strict and consci- 
 entious regard to what they considered the pre- 
 cepts of divine revelation. After a residence of 
 several yeai's in Holland, they departed with the 
 regrets and esteem of all who had known them. 
 For the virtues of industry and temperance and 
 for peaceable demeanour, they were pointed out 
 as examples to the citizens of that country. And 
 their intercourse with the savage inhabitants of 
 this place and vicinity was marked with constant 
 good faith, justice and benevolence. /^J^/ 
 
 But the particular trait of character, for 
 which they justly deserve our highest adAiira- 
 tion, was their noble zeal for genuine christian 
 truths, which no terrors nor sufferings could 
 subdue. They were too conscientious and too 
 independent to respect customs, which they con- 
 sidered as unsupported by divine authority, or to 
 admit, that the comma?idments of men were equally 
 obligatory as the express precepts of the gospel. 
 Nothing but a pure conscience and an enlighten- 
 ed zeal could have inspired them with the magna- 
 nimity, necessary for the perilous enterprizes 
 they achieved, and the severe calamities they 
 encountered. Nothing but the favoring provi- 
 dence of God could have supported and preserv- 
 ed them in all the dangers through which they 
 passed. 
 
 It has been too common for men destitute of 
 religion and ignorant of their true characters, to 
 
 (See noted) 
 
[ s j 
 
 fasten on our ancestors the charge of crilliusiasln/ 
 But is the imputation sufficiently grounded ? We 
 admit, they were cojiscientious ; they wci-c zeal- 
 ous in the sacred cause of rehgion. It was their 
 resohite purpose, to follow the directions and to 
 observe the duties of the gospel. Thcv enter- 
 tained high ideas of the purity and spirituality of 
 the christian character. They aspired to the 
 greatest attainments in christian virtue. But 
 never did they place religion in transient agita- 
 tions and feelings, disconnected with a holy life : 
 Never did they think to atone for immortali- 
 ties by the affectation or the profession of piety. 
 
 The origin of Sectarists is usually attended 
 with irregular and fanatical conduct, which ex- 
 poses them to merited disgrace and censure. 
 From this general charge, the people who ac- 
 companied Mr. Robinson into Holland, and 
 afterward emigrated to this place, area glorious 
 exception. Unlike the Mennonites or Anabaptists 
 in Germany, the followers of George Fox, in 
 England, and other fanatics either of former cr 
 later ages, whose practices have often been ri- 
 diculous and disorderly, unfavourable to the 
 peace of society, and repugnant to the morality 
 of the gospel ; these men were sober and inof- 
 fensive in private life, peaceable and obedient as 
 citizens. Though they separated from the 
 church of England upon a persuasion of its 
 unscriptural ceremonies and impositions, they 
 did not oppose the lawful authority of their 
 prince ; nor was their conduct other than that 
 which christian zeal would justify and commend. 
 As well, we apprehend, might the charge of en- 
 thusiasm be brought against the hebrew patri- 
 archs, or the first christian martyrs. /^^^ 
 
 (See note e) 
 
C 9 3 
 
 With cqunl injustice, perhaps, our anccs- 
 tors have been represented as men of a blgotted 
 and intolerant spirit. Or, if their conduct to- 
 wards those of different reUgious opinions will 
 not admit of entire justification, we shall proba- 
 bly be less liberal in our censures, when ^ye at- 
 tend to the peculiarities of their situation. They 
 had relinquished the pleasures of quietude and 
 prosperity, and patiently submitted to the most 
 severe trials and calamities in a barbarous coun- 
 try, to maintain religious worship in conformity to 
 their apprehensions of the divine will. Consisten- , 
 cy of conduct would fully justify them in assid- 
 uously guarding tlie system which they sincere- 
 ly believed to be true. To have received men 
 of opposite sentiments into the bosom of their 
 infant society, and into places of power in the 
 Colony, founded expressly for the purpose of 
 preserving purity of doctrine and worship, would 
 have been proof neither of wisdom nor of pi-ity. 
 Such a conduct would have soon defeated the 
 noble purposes,for the accomplishment of which, 
 they had endured the greatest sniTerings. How 
 could they prudently patronize the enemies of 
 their faith! or even those who doubted the tru'h 
 and importance of the leading principles of their 
 association ! It was certainly to be expected hit 
 men so conscientiously and so firmly attached to 
 Christianity, would welcome none to thci:- com- 
 munion, whose opinions were variant from tlie 
 doctrines of this divine religion. /^/y' 
 
 In our zeal for Catholicism, in modern times, 
 we are chargeable with the folly of plncing truth 
 and error on the same level ; and of affording 
 similar encouragement to the enemy, as the friend 
 of religion. Mot contented wiili tolerating ihe 
 
 (S< e note 1) 
 
 B 
 
[ 10 ] 
 
 open rcvilers of our holy faith, so excessive 
 is our liberality, that we plead for an admission 
 of the Sceptic and Atheist to the highest places of 
 power in a christian country. But such a degree 
 of indifferentism^ no reason can ever justify. If 
 any direction or influence be communicated to 
 men's conduct from their opinions, it is certain- 
 ly important, that they accord with the princi- 
 ples of a society, ofAvhichthey are leading mem- 
 bers. Had our fathers adopted the latitudinari- 
 an sentiments of this philosophic age, the religious 
 community they established would have soon 
 been corrupted and destroyed. 
 
 Though anxious to disabuse the character 
 of our illustrious ancestors from all unfounded 
 imputations, we are not disposed to commend at 
 the expense of truth and charity. We attempt 
 no vindication of persecution : We offer no plea 
 for intolerance. If the men, whose memories 
 we revere, were liable to the chai'ge, we would 
 spread a mantle over their defects,and lament the 
 imperfections of humanity. But we may justly 
 spare ourselves this anxiety. The severities of 
 persecution were never known in the colony of 
 New Plymouth. Such, indeed, as professed o- 
 ^'mions fatally subversive of their system, were 
 refused admittance into their society. But men 
 who differed only as to rites and forms of wor- 
 ship, enjoyed perfect toleration : and those of 
 more heretical sentiments, if not aiming to sow 
 the seeds of contention and discord, were secure 
 from violence and abuse. (^) 
 
 By some historians, not sufficiently diligent 
 in their researches, the original settlers of this 
 colony have been confounded with the sect of the 
 £roiv?iisis. But the rigid and sectarian princi- 
 ples which distinguished that denomination were 
 
 (See note g) 
 
C 11 ] 
 
 disavowed by Mr. Robinson and his followers. 
 This apostolic man extended his charity to many 
 members of the chmxhof England, and his writ- 
 ings discover sentiments truly liberal and catho- 
 lic. His mild spirit was not tinctured with the 
 pride and bigotry of a Schismatic : Nor did he 
 aspire to the appellation of Master among his 
 hrQthrtn. f/ij Like that great Reformer, Lu- 
 ther, he contended, that the Bible %vas the rule 
 of faith and practise. But with more of an 
 amiable diffidence and humility, he exhorted his 
 disciples to follow him only as he followed 
 Christ, our Divine Lord. Prudent and concili- 
 ating as Erasmus ; but not chargeable with such 
 temporizing conduct as casts a shade over the 
 character of that learned theologian. 
 
 It would be the greatest injustice to compare 
 men of similar characters and principles with our 
 Fathers, to sceptical and irreligious Philosophists, 
 whose fatuity in conjecture and errors in reason- 
 ing would destroy all our hopes of immortality. 
 They pretend, indeed, to deliver us from super- 
 stitious terrors — They profess to be guided by 
 infallible reason — and would be esteemed the on- 
 ly friends of toleration and Catholicism. But in 
 their vain imaginations, they rob the Deity of his 
 moral attributes ; and impiously deny the Lord 
 viho bought them. Their own w'ild theories, they 
 oppose to divine revelation ; and ex:dt hunian 
 reason above the wisdom of God. But whilst 
 professing to emancipate the human mind from 
 imposition and fear, their licentiousness and vices 
 proclaim them the greatest enemies of man. 
 Their sentiments tend directly to corrupt moral 
 principles, and to relax the bonds of ciyil socie- 
 ty. They ridicule the idea of a supcvi rending 
 Providence, and deny the sanctions of the divine 
 
 (See note h) 
 
C 12 ] 
 
 governmerit. Such are the principles and chay- 
 acters oi'a Voltaire, ePaine, and a Godwin : 
 whom their deluded admirers \\ culd rank among 
 the friends of human happiness ; and place on 
 the same list with a Luther, a Robinson, a 
 Hod LEY a: d a May hew ; men ever careful to 
 subject their opinions and conduct to the word 
 of God. These pleaded only for an exemption 
 from hviman impositions — those, for a dispensa- 
 tion from the injunctions of heaven : These con- 
 tended for the privilege of serving- their Creator 
 according to his own requirements — those, for 
 the liberty of rejecting he most sacred truths: 
 These were men of sincere piety and pure mor- 
 als — those often chargeable with practices and 
 addicted to vices abhorrent to the mind of a so- 
 ber heathen. 
 
 In all their oppostion to ecclesiastical tyran- 
 ny, in all their zeal for religious liberty, our Fa- 
 thers were careful to distinguish between the ad- 
 ventitious appendages and the essential truths of 
 Christianity. The declarations of the gospel re- 
 ceived their most cordial and implicit faith. 
 They gloried in the doctrines of the cross. But 
 those men, who now claim the ex €111811)6 merit of 
 Catholicism, would persuade us to believe that 
 Christianity is a cunningly dcxtiscd fable ; and that 
 the sincere christian is not more worthy our 
 confidence than the scoffing atheist. 
 
 It is a consideration pregnant with regret to 
 the friends of Christianity, that mankind are so 
 frequently subject to error from want of accurate 
 distinctions ; and, hastening from one extreme 
 to another, so seldom remain at the point of 
 truth. In one age, the greatest absurdities are 
 respected. In the succeeding, we are ready 
 to proscribe every dogma in theology ; every 
 
c 13 :i 
 
 principle in morals. But is it rational to con- 
 clude, that no religious doctrines are true, be- 
 cause superstitious sentiments have sometimes 
 prevailed ? In condemning human traditions or 
 ridi'^ulous ceremonies, would it be just to extend 
 our censures to the great truths of the gospel ? 
 Because Mahomet was an impostor, and the 
 Popes of Rome have wickedly imposed on the 
 credulity of the ignorant, shall we therefore de- 
 ny the divine origin of Christianity, which is so 
 pure in doctrine and so well attested by mira- 
 cles ? Surely, we may dissent from human form- 
 ularies of faith, and reject many rites which falli- 
 ble men have connected with religious worship, 
 whilst our hearts are penetrated wdth piety to 
 God, and our minds firmly established iii ths 
 truth as it is in Jesus. 
 
 We shall not readily admit, that liberality of 
 sentiment is entitled to the highest commen- 
 dations. To cultivate charity for those who dis- 
 sent from us as to doctrines not essential to pie- 
 ty, is perfectly consonant to the benign spirit of 
 Christianity. Our holy religion enjoins the exer- 
 cise of this amiable disposition. But in plead- 
 ing for toleration, the vain reformers of this de- 
 generate age avow a perfect indifference respect- 
 ing all religious opinions ; and, under the mask 
 of candour, conceal the most malignant opposi- 
 tion to the momentous truths of revelation. Those 
 sublime and consoling doctrines, revealed at 
 different periods of antiquity by men under the 
 influence of divine inspiration, and afterv/ard con- 
 fiiTned by the Son of God from Heaven, they 
 esteem as idle tales, fit only to keep an igiiorant 
 world in awe. And even the opinions which 
 have been considered important and sacred by 
 
[ 14 ] 
 
 the devout Theist, are exploded or disputed by 
 the impious philosophers of modern days. 
 
 It was an opinion of our ancestors, which 
 we seem not sufficiently to appreciate, that civ- 
 il government needed the friendly aid of religion ; 
 and that Rulers should be men of exemplary pie- 
 ty. In their estimation, political justice was but 
 an extensive application of christian morality. 
 They admitted no doctrine of policy or expedi- 
 ence, dissonant from the most correct principles 
 of religion. And they considered it essential to 
 the welfare and prosperity of the state, that the 
 civil magistrate should afford support and patron- 
 age to institutions for pressrving chiistian faith 
 and worship Y^V -^"d the abandonment of these 
 sentiments, would probably be attended by a 
 relaxation of morals and a disregard of religious 
 truths, which must prov^ fatal to public tranquil- 
 lity. A great part of the world, however, have 
 yet to learn, that to innovate, is not always to re- 
 form ; and the modern theories in ethics are hos- 
 tile to social and domestic happiness. 
 
 Such respect had our ancestors for the chris- 
 tian revelation, that they were desirous of con- 
 forming their civil as well as ecclesiastical insti- 
 tutions to its divine precepts. The wisdom of 
 this policy, we are sensible, has been questioned 
 by civilians of great celebrity. But the theory, 
 we think, perfectly correct, /''/ty) though the con- 
 duct of those who admit the principle may, in 
 some instances, have been severe. When gov- 
 ernment denies the people the enjoyment of 
 their natural rights on account of opinion, 
 we may justly complain of the arbitrary 
 measure. But if the citizens of a Republic can 
 reasonably refuse to admit the advocates of des- 
 potic power to places of authority ; may they 
 
 (See note i) (See note k) 
 
C 15 ] 
 
 not, with equal propriety, determine, that the be- 
 lief of Christianity shall be a necessary qualifica- 
 tion for their Legislators and Magistrates ? 
 
 In the Constitution of this Commonwealth, 
 the subject is treated with great caution and pre- 
 cision ; indicative, at once, of liberality and wis- 
 dom. It requires the citizens to support reli- 
 gious institutions and religious instructions, wi?A 
 a 'uiew to promote the welfare of society. It 
 provides, that a christian people should hai:io chris- 
 tian magistrates and rulers, ftn J But the rights 
 of conscien ce remain inviolate : and all sects of 
 christians enjoy equal privileges, and are alike 
 eligible to places of power and trust in the gov- 
 ernment. 
 
 The attempt to collect principles and max- 
 ims from the volume of inspiration for political 
 concerns has often been condemned as weakness 
 and superstition. But it is sufficiently evident 
 from divine revelation, that cii^il gcuernment is an 
 ordinance of GOD ; though no particular form is 
 there proscribed. And shall we suppose that 
 the Deity has given no directions relative to this 
 institution, so important to the welfare of man- 
 kind, when he has furnished ample instruction for 
 all other purposes of life ? Beside, how are the pre- 
 dictions of revelation to be accomplished which 
 declai'e, that the kingdoms of this world should be- 
 come the kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christy 
 except Princes and Rulers shall be guided by 
 the precepts of the gospel, and civil governments 
 administered agreeable to christian principles ? 
 
 But the subject is not left in the uncertainty 
 of conjecture. Revelation plainly teaches the 
 reciprocity of assistance and of benefits between 
 religion and civil government. It abounds also 
 with maxims and precepts for regulating the po- 
 
 (See note m) 
 
C IS ] 
 
 litical conduct of men in public stations. And 
 the experience of ail ages fully evinces the utility 
 and importance of the doctrine which we advo- 
 cate. The consideration of the divine favor or 
 displeasure, should have a controuling and com- 
 mandinij influence upon all the actions of the civ- 
 il magistrate. (//) 
 
 Aftep. aii the political theories j which have 
 been proposed ; after all the revolutions in gov- 
 ernment, which have been effected, since the 
 days of our revered ancestors, the founders of 
 New- England, their opinions respecting civil 
 liberty, are entitled to our decided approbation. 
 They were zealous advocates for the rights of 
 man, so far as were compatible \\i\h the peace 
 and happiness of society. But no fanatical sen- 
 timents, no ideas of the perfectahility of human 
 nature ever induced them to dispense with the 
 legitimate powers and the just restraints of gov- 
 ernment. The end of civil society, they ack- 
 nowledged, was the greatest good of the whole 
 wh3 had associated : yet, for the attainment of 
 this object, it was admitted, in conformity to the 
 evidence of history and the declarations of inspi-^ 
 red scripture, that the law was made for the dis- 
 obedient ; and that government was designed to 
 saiw the people from the evils of their own selfish 
 and irregular passions. It was reserved for the 
 spcciilati'oe politicians of the present age, to sug- 
 gest, that religion is unprodiicti'^ce of benefit to 
 civil society ; and that the perfection of man 
 consists in an entire freedom from authority and 
 restraint. Strange, that the fatal effects of such de- 
 moralizing sentiments should not have taught 
 mankind to regard them v/ith indignation and 
 horror ! In our own times, Providence has pla- 
 ced a beacon in view of the civilized world, to 
 
 (See note n) 
 
-k 
 
 [ 17 ] 
 
 warn us of our danger. We have seen that the 
 disregard of religious opinions and of religious 
 institutions has been followed by disorders and 
 crimes, which threatened to desolate the globe. 
 Revenge, lust, and cruelty, were the fruits of 
 such bold impiety. Yet many in this country 
 have become advocates for licentious and infidel 
 principles. But let them remember, that delu- 
 sion .ja the precursor of misery and ruin. The 
 progress of irreligion will be attended with the 
 grossest immoralities and vices : and the land of 
 our fadiers will be more obnoxious to the dis- 
 pleasure of heaven,than when polluted by heathen 
 worship. Every friend of Christianity and his 
 country is agonized with the presentiment of ap- 
 proaching calamities. 
 
 The degeneracy of the times, we are aware, 
 is a common topic of complaint in every age! 
 But it is a fact, which cannot be controverted 
 that the character of the present inhabitants of 
 New England, is far below the degree of moral 
 and christian excellence, for which our fathers 
 were so justly celebrated : The worship of God 
 is neglected, and his holy sabbath profaned by 
 many of the present generation, and family reli- 
 gion has greatly declined. And so common are 
 the vices of intemperance and profanity, that 
 they have almost lost their deformity in our view. 
 Ambition has taken place of patriotism, and base 
 intrigue is substituted for true wisdom. Inteo-. 
 rity is proscribed, piety ridiculed, and independ- 
 ent virtue persecuted. And to men destitute of 
 religion, without moral principles, whose private 
 characters are marked with profligacy and vice 
 are committed the important concerns of legisla- 
 tive government. 
 
 C 
 
t 
 
 18 3 
 
 TitERE is reason, however, to believe, that a 
 remnant still exists, possessing the spirit and the 
 f)rinciples of former days j whose piety though 
 less visible, is yet sincere, and whose zeal though 
 abated, is not extinguished. Such will be care- 
 ful to place a just value on the institutions, w^hich 
 were so dear to our venerable fathers. Not 
 merely because they ivcj-e of our fathers : but be- 
 cause they are of divine appointment, and the 
 means both of social and individual happiness. 
 " Righteousness exalteth a nation :" and reli- 
 gion is essential to the support of public and pri- 
 vate virtue. Let us then zealously defend the 
 gospel against those who wickedly oppose and 
 blaspheme. The number of its enemies should 
 serve to inspirit our exertions for its support. — 
 Whilst we exercise charity for all those who ac- 
 knowledge Jesus Christ and his divine reli- 
 gion, whilst we pity and tolerate the iniidel w^ho 
 neglects the gospel ; let us contend earnestly for 
 the doctrines of our most holy faith, and entrust to 
 none but a christian's care, the deposit of our 
 dearest rights. With all their professions of at- 
 tachment to civil liberty, the enemies of Chris- 
 tianity, cannot possibly be friends to the true in- 
 terests of their fellow-men. The opinions they 
 disseminate have a tendency to inflame the worst 
 passions of men, and to demoralize the world. 
 
 The friends of religion have been criminally 
 inactive. They have slept in the midst of dan- 
 gers. Errors in opinion, and licentiousness in 
 practice, have been permitted to prevail without 
 censure, and without opposition. Infidelity has 
 assum.ed a bold and alarming attitude. It boasts 
 of patronage from the highest seat of power. 
 It is in vain to dissemble. Heathe?iis7n threatens 
 to overspread the land. We are advised to sub- 
 
C 19 3 
 
 siitute the absurd theories of fallible and impious 
 men for the glorious gospel of the Son of God. 
 We are taught to live without religion, and to 
 die without hope : to believe that our pious 
 Fathers and friends, whose bodies lie moulder- 
 ing on that sacred mount, are overwhelmed in 
 eternal darkness ; and that they will ever remain 
 as senseless as the clods which cover them. 
 And are there none who have courage to speak 
 oil GOD^s behalf? Is there not some honest E- 
 lijah to defend the sacred cause of truth ? To 
 bear testimony against the errors and vices of . 
 the times, and to warn the people of impending j 
 judgments ? Let his voice penetrate the cot-r 
 tage and the palace. Let him reason of righte- 
 ousness^ temperance and a future judgment y that the 
 stout heart of infidelity mav tremble and relent ; 
 and that a degenerate race may be persuaded to 
 rtXxwn to the good old paths, in which their Fa- 
 thers walked. 
 
 May we all more uniformly observe the ap- 
 pointed seasons for the public worship of God. 
 May we be careful to honour the Lord in our 
 families, and to provide for the moral and re- 
 ligious instruction of the rising generation. Let 
 us endeavour to approve ourselves to the God of 
 our Fathers, by imitating their noble patriotism, 
 their pure morals and fervent piety, that we may 
 hope in the mercy, and share the blessings and 
 protection of heaven. Let us nov/ solemnly en- 
 gage, whilst assembled in the presence of God, 
 in this place of our Father's residence, and sa- 
 cred as the repository of their hallowed dust — 
 never to abandon their correct principles of re- 
 ligion and government ; to oppose infidelity and 
 vice ; to advocate the glorious doctrines of 
 Christianity ; to resist all encroachmcnt'> on our 
 
c 
 
 20 
 
 ] 
 
 civil rights, whether arising from the ambition 
 of individuals or the errors of the multitude, 
 and to standfast in the liberty with which God 
 has made us free ^ 
 
NOTES. 
 
 Note (A) 
 Secretary Morton, and latter historians inform us that the Cap- 
 f tain of the Ship w as bribed to carry tlie Emigrants to a place far Noith 
 of Hudson's River, where they had proposed to settle. 
 
 Note (B) 
 Soon after their arrival in Cape Harbour, the Shallop was sent out 
 with several of the principal men, Carver, Bradford, Wikslow, 
 and Standish, with eight seamen to circulate the buy, and find a 
 better place for settlement ; though the weather was very cold, and 
 the spray of tiie sea froze on them. They sailed aleng tlie coast, and 
 the tliird day not finding any convenient harbour, they hastened on to 
 a port, which their pilot assured them was a good one, not many 
 leagues distant. At mid-afternoon, the wind arose with rain and snow, 
 the .sea became very rough— the} broke their rudder, and it was as 
 much as two men could do, to steer with a couple of oars. As night 
 approached, the storm increased ; they broke their mast in three pla- 
 ces, their sails fell overboard, and they were in great danger of founder- 
 ing—yet they recovered themselves, through the mercy ot heaven, 
 and struck into tlie imagined harbour : But the pilot, being deceived, 
 cried out, Lord be merciful ! my eyes never saw this place before, and 
 he would have run the Shallop ashore in a place of breakers before 
 the wind ; but a steersman called out to the rowers, abovt i>:ith her, or 
 ^•e are cast a-ivay .' immediately they got her about; and providence 
 shewed a fair sound before them, (though it was very dark, and tlie 
 rain heavy) they got under the lee of a small rise of land, (now called 
 Saquish) and went on shore and passed the night.— On the following 
 daj-, they found it to be a small island (now known by the name of 
 Clark's Island) here they rested themselves, and returned God thanks 
 for tlieir many dehverances, and here the next day kept the Christian 
 Sabbath. : See Prince's Chronology, Pages 77, 78. 
 
 Note (C) 
 Robinson and BREWsTrR, received an university education in 
 England. The former ranked among the first Divines of his age. " He 
 was highly esteemed both by the city and university of Leyden for his 
 learning, piety , moderation, and excellent accomphshments. The 
 magisu-ates, clergy and scholars lamented his deatli as a public loss." 
 
 .• .• Primes Chron. 
 And Gov. Bradford mentions his maintaining a public disputation, 
 (at the request of many learned characters) with Eriscopius, a 
 Professor at Leyden, with great ingenuity and argument. Brewste* 
 cultivated a taste for human as well as sacred literature, and at hli 
 death, left a handsome library. Gov. BRAoroRD, though not favor- 
 
[ 
 
 22 
 
 ed with a public education, was acquainted with the Latin, Greet and 
 Jlebrev} languages ; and his writings, as well as those of Gov. Wins- 
 xow, shew that they were men ef extensive reading and sound judg- 
 ment. — Carvfr, Bradford, Winslow, Brewster,' and Stand- 
 ISH, are said to have possessed considerate estates in England. 
 
 Note (D) 
 Morton, Prince and Hutchinson bear testimony to these 
 facts. 
 
 Note (E) 
 
 " They had a zeal for religion," says the writer of an article, in the 
 
 Encyclopedia, '* bordering on enthusiasm." President Ada.ms also 
 
 observes, that they were rehgious to some degree oj enthusiasm,.''* 
 
 " Yet it was an enthusiam," he adds, " which is essential to all noble 
 
 atchievements." And without such a resolute and zealous 
 
 spirit, they had never undertaken nor accomplished the settle- 
 ment of New-England. In religion, the only thing which could be 
 considered irregular or enthusiastic, was their permitting some mem- 
 bers of their church, besides the pastor, to pray and exhort, in their 
 public assemblies. And as an apology for this conduct, it is to be con- 
 wdered, they were destitute of a settled minister for many years, 
 having t e expectation of Mr. Robinson's arrival, and being of. 
 ten deceived by unworthy characters in this same profession. In 
 these circnmstances, two or three of their principal members, dis- 
 ♦irguibhed for piety and knowledge did officiate publicly in their re- 
 ligious worship. 
 
 Note (F) 
 •' More liberalitj'," says the elegant and candid Minot, " would 
 perhaps have introduced Sectaries, which would have weakened 
 f the community by division ; and profligates, who would have cor- 
 rupted it by their vices." 
 
 Note (G) 
 «' The New-Plymouth colonists," says Hctchinson, "never dis. 
 covered that persecuting spirit which we have seen in Massachu« 
 setts. The celebrated Rockr Williams who was so very obnox- 
 ious to the people of Salem and Boston, found a favourable recep- 
 tion in the Plymouth church, where he officiated for some time. 
 When the famous Mrs Hutchinson and her adherents were 
 banished from that colony, they applied to the colony of Plymouth, 
 for leave to settle on R. Island, then considered to be within the 
 Plymouth Patent, and it was readily granted, though their tenets 
 were no more approved by Plymouth than by the Massachusetts, 
 Some Qiiakers also fied to Plymouth bounds, and thus probably sa. 
 ved their lives— and the Baptists were still more I'avourably receiv. 
 ed — the town of Swanzey in Plymouth colony, being principally fil, 
 led by baptist refugees from Massachusetts. And they were content 
 one of the ministers of their church at Plymouth, should baptize by 
 ijiimeision, those who should desire it, provided he took no exccp. 
 tion to the other minister's ifiririiling" 
 
23 
 
 Note (H) 
 It is the testimony of Baylie who was no friend to sectarists, that 
 the Rev. Mr. Robinson was a man of excellent abilities, tlie most 
 learned, polished and modest spirit that ever separated from the 
 church of England. Hornius, inhis Historia eccles et polilica, gives 
 a similar account of Mr. Robin'soij. Browx and Smith, were 
 most bitter and severe sectarists. And their followers fell into con- 
 tentions among themselves. But Mr. Robinson, as Gov. Winslow 
 assures us, was always against separation from any of the churches of 
 Christ ; holding communion with the reformed churches in Scotland, 
 and the Netherlands — his study was for peace and tinion, so far as 
 might agree with faith and good conscience. But the government of 
 the church of England as to Episcopacy, stinted prayers, and the ad- 
 mittance of prophane and unworthy persons to the sacrament of the 
 Lord's supper ; these he never approved — " and if any joined us at 
 I..eyden,'* Winslow adds, " or in New-England, have with the man- 
 ifestation of their faith and profession of hohness, held forth there- 
 with separation from the church of England, I have heard Mr. Rob- 
 iMSON and Mr. Brewster stop them immediately, shewing them we 
 required no such things at their hands ; but only faith in Jesus Christ, 
 holiness in the fear of God, and submission to every divine appoint- 
 ment." " Mr. Robinson and his church also renounced all attach- 
 ment to any merely human systems or expositions of scripture ; and 
 reserved tlie liberty of forming their opinions and practice from the 
 light and directiows it should afford." 
 
 Note (I) 
 It is a proof of the prevalence of infidelity, and of the vitiated 
 state of public opinion, that so many in our country wish government 
 to give no support to the institutions of the gospel ; and consider it 
 unimportant that political characters should be religious. Neither 
 cliristian nor moral principles, they contend arc necessary for a poli- 
 tician. It is not a question with them, whether a measure be obliga- 
 tory and just ; but whether it be expedient and popular. 
 
 Note (K) 
 " Whatever Imperfections may be justly ascribed to our Fathers 
 (which, however, were as few as any mortals have discovered.) Theii* 
 judgment in fonning their policy was founded on wise and benevolent 
 principles — It was founded on revelation and reason too — It was con- 
 sistent with the best, greatest and wisest legislators of antiquity.'* 
 
 •• .• .• •• President Adams. 
 
 Note (L) 
 " The same union of friendship, of counsel and exertion in the pub- 
 lic cause which characterized the Hebrew Lawgiver and High Priest, 
 distinguished the political and religious Fathers of New-England. 
 The Miders of the State were at the same time tneinbers and pillars of 
 the church. The religion they professed ivas the rule of their public and 
 private conduct; and the advancement of its interests amain object oi 
 both. For this purpose, they readily co-operated wltli the worthy 
 clergymen, and contributed their best efforts for tlieir comfort, reputa- 
 tion and success. Tlie advice and influence of the priesthood were 
 likewise evev at hand to aid and succeed the operations of tlie magls- 
 
[ 24 ] 
 
 trates, and to promote the civil as well as religious interests of the 
 people." Dr. Tappan. 
 
 " Laws which oblige the people to assemble fur public worship 
 and provide themselves with public teachers of religion, are evidently 
 well adapted to promote the good order of civil gosernment and ad- 
 vance the happiness of a community ; by enforcing tlie use of proper 
 means for impressing men's minds with an awe of the Supreme Gov- 
 ernor of the world, and engaging them from a sense of their accounta- 
 blcness to him, to fulfil all moral obligation, and live in the practice of 
 the virtues of a good life. And such lavva can he no reasonable cmi&c 
 of complaint, so long as the sacred rights of conscience are seatrcd, by leav- 
 ing people at liberty to chcose their own teachers and modes of worship 
 —And v.'hile none are subject to fires ,forjeitures nncl disadvantages of a civil 
 nafure for their punicular rtligious opinions, Mxhey be peaceable members 
 of society, and do no; propagate any doctrines inconsistent with the safe- 
 ty of the state. To carry the idea of religious liberty so far, as to make it an 
 hindrance to provide necessary means for the preservation of a sense of 
 religion and moral obligation among the members of a community, is 
 to oppose it to the interests of human society, and to rob civil govern- 
 ment of one of its main supports." Dr. Cunnnings. 
 
 Note (M) 
 Te^f af?5 have usually been severe. But let us not argue against 
 them from their abuse. The objection to the constitution of this State, 
 \\hich makes certain qualifications essential in a Ruler, is founded in 
 an assumed idea, that every citizen has a right to power and office, 
 Eut this is a mistaken position. No one can justly claim an office of 
 authority. It is f()r the people to say, whom they will entrust with 
 the direction of public concerns. And they have an undoubted right 
 to determine the qualifications necessary for promotion. And a 
 christian society cannot ^without manifest impropriety) but require, 
 that their civil Rulers admit that divine (that only complete moral) 
 system, the gospel rev elation. 
 
 Note (N) 
 To be good Rulers or good citizens, men must be guided by such 
 principles us operated on the hearts of Joseph and Nehemieih. " How," 
 said the former, " can I do this great wickedness, and sin against 
 God !" And the latter, suggesting, that in his offi.cial character, as 
 Governor of Jerusalem, he refrained from similar measures of op- 
 pression, as others had adopted before him, observes; " But so 
 did 7iot I because ff the fear rf God." And utterly imqualificd for Ru- 
 lers must those be, whatever talents or cunning they may possess, who 
 are destitute of reliffious sentiments. 
 
 19 89 
 
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