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AT SHERBURNE, NOVEMBER 24, 1814.
BEING THE DAY ST A
PUBLIC THANKSGIVING,
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APPOINTED BY UNION ASSOCIATION.
BY JOHN TRUAIR,
Minister of the Gospel in Sherburne, N. E
PUBLISHED BY REQUEST.
UTICA:
Printed, ore door west of the Post Office, Genesee-street,
BY MÉRRELL & CAMP.
1815.
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ADVERTISEMENT.
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THE Author's apology for consenting to the publication of
this discourse is, the solicitation of his friends, and some misrepre-
sentations which are circulated concerning it. By some, on account
of it, he has been condemned; and he is willing a candid world
should judge of the merits of those sentiments for which he is con-¨
demned.
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DANIEL, VI. 10.
Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his
house; and his windows being open in his chamber towards Jeru-
salem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed,
and gave thanks, as he did aforetime.
...
"
THE Jews for their iniquities were carried away cap-
tive into Babylon. While in this captivity they suffered
many things, and were called to experience severe trials.
Some of them were exalted to favor with the king, on ac-
count of their uprightness and integrity. But ambitious,
and designing men conspiring against them, they were much
afflicted. Thus Hannaniah, Mishael and Azariah were cast
into the burning fiery furnace" because they refused to
worship the golden image which was set up by the king in
the plains of Durah: But they trusted in the God of their
fathers, and he defended them and delivered them from the
rage of the fire. After this a set of base designing wretches
contrived a scheme to destroy Daniel who was advanced to
one of the highest honors of the kingdom. This was to
persuade the king, (although he loved Daniel, and placed
the greatest confidence in him) to sign a decree, which could
not be altered, that if any man, in all his vast dominions
should, for the space of thirty days, ask any petition of any
God or man, but of the king only, he should be cast into the
den of lions. This was probably executed in the absence of
Daniel, or studiously concealed from him, as he was one of
the chief men of Babylon at that time. The first that he
appears to know of the cruel ediet was, that it was signed
by the king. When he found, therefore, that the writing
1
1
4
was signed, and had actually become a law, he was not clam-
orous against it, although it was most uureasonable and op-
pressive: neither does he condescend to obey it, but conting
ues steadfast in his duty to God as he had done before; by
going into his house, praying and giving thanks to the God
of heaven. Was this written for our admonition? Or
is the example here given worthy of imitation? Will it do
for an example which christians may safely follow? The
case was a trying one. The edict extended from the high-
est in authority, under the king, to the beggar upon the
dunghill; yea, it literally forbid a child to ask bread of his
father. Daniel does not endeavor to move sedition, and a
spirit of revenge; nor does he in the least regard the ediet.
Ile refuses obedience openly, and prays to his God with his
windows open as he did aforetime." To christians it is
said "resist not evil;" and, "whether it be right for us to
óbey God rather than man, judge ye." We may, therefore,
conclude that the example is worthy to be inuitated, and con-
sider the text as containing this obvious sentiment, viz.
When people are oppressed by their rulers, they should not
be persuaded, nor driven from their immediate duty to God
and man. This sentiment will be illustrated by considering,
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I. Some things which may be considered immediate duty.
H. When rulers oppress their people. Aud
III. Offer a reason or two shewing why the people should
not by such conduct be persuaded, nor driven from their im-
mediate duty.
}
I. What then is a people's immediate duty ?
1st. It is their immediate and constant duty to repent of
their sins, pray and give thanks to God. Time was when
the "sin of ignorance was winked at ;" that is, gently re-
proved; but God now commandeth all men every where to
repent:" and no man can perform his duty without comply-
ing immediately with this command. "Repentance towards
God, and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ" are the constant
and immediate duty of every man. "Praying always with
all prayer and 'supplication in the spirit," is also an import-
ant duty, not to be dispensed with by any man, where the
light of the gospel has shined. In this duty, is necessarily
implied that of "giving thanks always in every thing in the
name of our Lord Jesus Christ." No trial, however severe,
can befal ns in this life, but leaves abundant reason for us
to be thankful for remaining mercies. It is, therefore, suit-
pale, and a duty, in every thing to give thanks.
S
"
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A
CX
2. It is always the duty of people, to feel their dependence
apon God, and to obey and fear him rather than man. Ne-
ver are men safe, unless they feel their entire dependence
upon God. No creature is more dependent than man, aud
none who so much needs always to realize it; and but few
who in reality realize it less. But this by no means proves
that without God we can do any thing," for in him we live,
and move, and have our being." Daniel felt his dependenee
upon God, and therefore, he chose rather to pray unto him,
than to the king. That he was wise in his choice, which he
would obey, there is not a doubt, but in the mind of him who
denies a superintending Providence. Every man deciding on
the propriety of obedience to God or man, has in his reflect-
ing moments given his assent, that all should obey God
rather than man. It is concluded, therefore, that every
one must admit, that this remains a perpetual duty binding
on every man, high or low.
3. It is the immediate and constant duty of every man to
pursue the good of a nation, rather than the honor, popular
ity or interest of any man or party of men. Which think
you was the better friend to king Darius, and which the bet-
ter subject in his reala, those base time-serving sycophants,
who could content themselves to worship him, and reuder
him those honors which were due to God alone: or Daniel
who with mildness, and yet with promptitude, utterly refused
to obey him, and treated the impious edict with entire neg-
leet? Have you any doubts on this subject? Read then the
context and doubt no more! But the principle which we
here advocate, is self-evident, as the contrary sentiment in-
volves, not only national, but self destruction: For when a
nation is sacrificed, it is rare that party or individual hon-
ors, survive the general ruin. The moment a man condemas
a measure as not conducive to the general good, that mo-
ment be is in duty bound to forsake such a measure and the
advocates of it. For he cannot consistently condemn, and
still cherish the condemned. No man can with a clear con-
science condemn another for petty larceny, while himself
is in the constant practice of theft. To prefer individual
honor or interest, to nation! prosperity, is to prefer a less to
a greater good. It is then, rather the duty of every man,
to let the honors and distinctions of any man, er party of
men, sink to oblivion. and fall under universal reproach and
contempt, than the liberties and happiness of the nation
should by them be destroyed. These are some of the duties,
6
from which men should never be moved, either by favors or
by threatnings from their rulers. Are they oppressed?
They are sooner to suffer themselves to be thrown into a den
of lions, then to deviate from these well known duties,
Are they commanded to break off from some of these known
rules, and attend to things of an inferior and contrary nature ?
They may with propriety reply, "whether it be right for us
to obey God rather than man, judge ye."
pared to shew,
We are now pre-
This it is design-
II. When rulers oppress their people.
ed to shew in five or six particulars. And,
1. Rulers oppress their people, when they make laws
against christian privileges. In a christian land, it is obvi-
ous to every reflecting mind, that christianity is no abridg
ment of the liberties of mankind: and that every thing
which is in opposition to it, leads to slavery and oppression.
Christianity delivers men from slavery and bondage, and sets
them at liberty in the highest sense. The peculiar privile-
ges of a christian may be enjoyed by every individual who
will accept of them as offered in the gospel. Christian pri-
vileges respect God and the Christian himself. They are,
therefore, rights of which no man or set of men have the pre-
ragative to deprive him. And when even these rights are
assailed, his most essential privileges are attacked; and if
abandoned, he is oppressed in the extreme, and is emphati-
cally a slave. Such an act of oppression was the decree of
Nebuchadnezzar, that all his people should worship his im-
age, which he set up in the plains of Durah. Such was the
edict of Darius, that no man should ask any petition but of
himself. Such was the law of the French Republic, estab-
lishing their decade," or tenth-day festival in the lieu of
the christian sabbath. Such is the act of the United States,
authorising on ordinary occasions, the conveyance, opening
and closing of mails on the holy sabbath. Such has been,
and such is every law which is contrary to any of the laws
of christianty. Every such act serves to diminish the influ-
ence of the christian religion, and to bring the mind by de-
grees back to a state of heathenism, which is barbarism and
oppression.
2. Rulers oppress their people. when their practice is coun-
ter to their best good. A ruler may oppress by his pernicious
example as really as by his acts; though in this kind of op-
pression the people are really voluntary in submitting to it.
The example of a ruler has great influence with his admi-
7
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*
rers; and whatsoever he does, they are generally ready to
approve as right; and his friends follow with advidity in
the path where he ads. If he be given to treat with light-
ness religious things, infidelity will increase in the land. If
he be given to groundless credulity, his favorites are ready to
believe any thing which they wish to be true. Hence that
trite remark of Solomon, that If a ruler hearken to lies,.
all his servants are wicked." It is from such beginnings
that oppressive laws have their origin; and indeed all the
cruel persecutions and oppressions which have been practised,
have originated in the corrupt practices of those in authori-
ty. Hence another sage remark, that when the wicked
beareth rule the people mourn." They mourn because of
oppression, and because the judgments of God are upon
them for their wickedness and folly. It is cruelty, it is op-
pression to subject the people to the judgments of God
through their means; and by their example to lead them in
the way of death.
1
3. Rulers oppress their people when they do not enforce
good and wholesome laws against the workers of iniquity.
When such laws exist and are not enforced against trans-
gressors, every one is left to do that which is right in his
own eyes. But that such is a deplorable time, and a time
greatly to be deprecated will be manifest by considering
what Jehovah saith on this subject; " Ye shall not do every
man whatsoever is right in his own eyes.” The consequence
of not regarding this command, was a great prevalence of
idolatry in Israel, till they were given into the hands of their
enemies who ruled over them. This is a natural conse-
quence of a laxity in the due administration of good laws
against the immoral and profane. Every man attempting
to be his own avenger, the people suffer oppression through
the criminal neglect of those set to guard their rights.
4. Rulers oppress their people when they pass laws whose
tendency is the destruction of the rights and privileges of
community. We need not dwell upon this, for it is obvious
at the first thought to every understanding mind, that when
the rights of community are abridged, the people are oppres-
sed; their unalienable rights are taken from them without
their consent, which is tyranny and oppression.
5. Rulers oppress their people when they patronize and
exalt the evil, the infidel and the profane; and despise and
treat with neglect the just, the holy and the good. To do
this with any probality of success, characters must first be
Three
CO
changed and the good man called an evil man, and the evil
man good. Because as one justly remarks, "enoy itself
cannot excite people against a good man, as such, to do this
he must first be represented as a bad man." But the exal-
tation of the wicked is always à grievous calamity; for it
always remains true that "the evil plotteth against the just."
In an elective government, however, the people are in a great
measure responsible for the wickedness of their rulers; for
the people must first call good evil, and evil good, to place
such ovil men in authority. Is not this an evil practice?
And does it not procure oppression for the people? Hear
then what Jehovah saith on the subject. "Woe unto them
that call evil good, and good evil; that put bitter for sweet,
and sweet for bitter. To all such rulers he says, " Is it not
for you to know judgment, who hate the good and love the
evil?" This is the consequence of such conduct, which is
the truth for which we plead. It is said that they eat the
flesh of my people, and flay their skin from off them; and
they break their bones, and chop them in pieces as for the
pot, and as flesh within the caldron." When, therefore, the
wicked are chosen in preference to the good, then they be-
gin by depriving the people of their substance; then of their
liberties; then they break in sunder all the bonds which
bind society together, and chop the people in pieces as for
the pot; split them into parties that they may become an
easy prey for their teeth. In their trouble they may then
call upon the Lord; but he will hide his face from them,
and will not hear them, because they have behaved them-
selves ill in their doings.
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Finally. Rulers oppress their people when they claim to
themselves the honors which are due to God alone. This
was the sin of Darius. Through the instigation of his wick-
ed ministers, he makes the monsteous claim, that all his peo-
ple, if they worshipped and asked any petition, it should be
only of himself. This also was the sin of Herod. Arrayed
in his royal apparel. on a certain day, he made an “oration
unto the people, and they gave a shout, and said, it is the
voice of a God and not of a man ;—And he was eaten of
worms and gave up the ghost, because he gave not God the
glory." He silently and without reproving the people for
their impiety, received their adoration and worship. This
likewise was the sin of Bonaparte, when, because he con-
ceived he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself;
and when he was willing to receive from some Jews the ti-
?
F
9
1
tle of Messias. It is also the sin of all those men who re
ceive the honor of performing actions which God alone can
perform, and accepting the glory which God claims as his,
and which he will not give to another. And this is the mis-
ery of a people when those in authority claim these distine-
tions to themselves. Their rulers consider and treat them
rather as their slaves than as their constituents. They are
deaf to their cries, dead to their complaints and laugh at
their misery! They trifle with the lives of the common peo-
ple, as with the lives of their beasts: yet they flatter them
with their mouth, and lie unto them with their tongues.”
Forgetting that there is a power above them, they like the
fool, "pass on and are confident." They flatter themselves
with their own deceivings; and though they have "made lies
their refuge," yet they say "none evil can come upon us."
Thus rulers oppress their people by making bad laws; by
not executing good ones; by a wicked practice, and by claim-
ing or receiving divine honors. But nevertheless, the peo-
ple should do their constant and immediate duty. We are
now prepared, and proceed,
III. To offer a reason or two, shewing why the people
should not by such conduct, be persuaded, nor driven from
their immediate duty.
7
The first and general reason which we offer is, that such
rulers are but men; and are as absolutely and entirely in
the hand of God, as the clay is in the band of the potter.
The house of Israel were said to be thus dependent upon
God. “Behold, as the clay is in the potter's hand, so are
ye in my hand, O house of Israel.” God, therefore, said that
he would destroy that nation, who by their rebellion should
refase his reign. To establish the truth for which we con-
tend, it is said, that the king's heart is in the hand of the
Lord as the rivers of water:" and also, that " he turneth it
wethersoever he will." To learn this important lesson, Ne-
buchadnezzar must, by the power of God be driven from
men and made to eat grass as exen until seven times passed
over him; After which he was convinced that the "Most
High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and sitteth up over it
whomsoever he will," even though it be the" basest of men.
Sennacherib was convinced of the same truth only by the de-
struction of an hundred eighty and five thousand of his
army in one night, without the walls of Jerusalem. Pharaoh
could exultingly ask, "Who is the Lord, that I should ober
his voice," or that will deliver you out of mine hand? But
2
10
when the waters of the Red Sea swallowed him and his ars
my, and they all went down alive into the pit, he received a
full and satisfactory answer to his impious enquiry.
If then, oppressive rulers are thus in the hand of God, it
must surely be a prime object of the oppressed to procure
his favor; he alone being able to grant them immediate and
effectual relief. Obedience to his laws, is the most effectual,
and indeed the only way to procure his favor. Prayer is the
all-powerful weapon against oppression, by which the op-
pressed may have power with God and prevail against their
oppressors. This, together with thanksgiving was chosen by
Daniel in his extremity, in preference to any other method
of redress; and it proved more effectual than, probably any
other measure could have done. By means of it, his own
life and liberty were preserved; his inveterate enemies des-
troyed, and the name and honor of his God was established.
The same means were employed by the three children when
doomed to be cast in the fire, and produced the same happy
offect. By prayer also, Jacob cooled the burning rage of his
brother Esau. By it, David was delivered from the per-
sécuting hand of Saul; by it he was enabled to prevail against
his enemies, and to subdue the hosts of the Philistines; and
by it he turned the wicked counsel of Ahitophal into fool-
ishness before Absalom. By it Hezekiah obtained deliver-
ance for the people of Israel, when the Assyrians besieged
Jerusalem with an immense army. By the prayers of the
saints, Peter was delivered from prison, and from his chains,
and was rescued from the hands of his persecutors and went
forth preaching the kingdom of God. Elias also was a man
subject to like passions with other men, and we are told
that he prayed that it might not rain, and it rained not on
the earth for the space of three years and six months; and
again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain" in abundance.
If, therefore, the people are obedient, and abound in the du-
ties of prayer and thanksgiving, God if he see good can grant
them immediate relief in a variety of ways. He can turn
the hearts of their enemies, and cause them to become
friends; be can destroy them in his anger as he did the As-
syrian; he can turn their conunsels into foolishness, and
render them contemptible even to their admirers; he can
remove them in his wrath as he did the wicked king of Is-
rael, or set better men in their places; or he can pour a pro-
I'usion of blessings upon the oppressed. But if he do not see
good in his holy providence to grant them any such asssis-
tance, then,
·
•
•
11
7
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2. They should not desist from immediate duty, because
in keeping God's commands their is great reward. The
christian, (and such we should all be) if he must suffer as
an evil doer when he obeys God," will count it all joy that
he may suffer shame for his name:" he will receive pa
tiently the spoiling of his goods :" he will feel, and heartily
adopt the language of the apostle, "I glory in tribulation,
knowing that tribulation worketh patience." He will how-
ever, yea he must bear public and decided testimony against
all these crimes which bring the judgments of God upon the
land. He will obey God; and when the commands of his
rulers are against those well known duties which he ever
owes to God and man, he must not, he cannot sinlessly obey
them. There is no obligation upon subjects to obey when
rulers exceed their bounds. Let then the people alway
keep in mind to fear him" who is able to distroy both sonl
and body in hell," and obey God rather than man ;" and
then their path will be that of the just that "shineth more
and more unto the perfect day."
IMPROVEMENT.
1. This subject teaches us that an attempt to destroy the
character and usefulness of a gospel minister, because he
will obey God rather than man, is an open attack upon the
King of Zion. and a gross affront to the God of armies.
The minister of the gospel. is the embassador of God to
guilty men; an embassador from the court of heaven; ard
who knows not that an attempt to scandalize the embassa-
dor, or an abuse of his person, is an insult offered to his
prince or government? Establishing this sentiment, has not
Christ said, to his ministers, he that despiseth you despi-
seth me, and he that despiseth me, despiseth him that sent
me?" Besides, this line of conduct tallies exactly with the
conduct of those who anciently killed the prophets of the
Lord, and persecuted the primitive christians. But, it is ask-
ed, do not those you accuse of endeavoring to destroy min-
isters, speak well of religion, and of our pious forefathers?
Yes truly and it reminds us of those, who in the days of our
Saviour builded the tombs of the prophets, and garnished
the sepulchres of the righteous. They pretend to venerate
the religion of our forefathers. but defame those who inculcate
their faith and practice. and condemn the sins they condemn
ed. But we shall perhaps, be told. that the times are dif-
ferent. It is true; and the times require proportionably more
zeal and promptitude against every prevailing iniquity. Let,
!
12
!
therefore, such calumniators remember that there is aGod
who sees not as man sees: and let them remember also that
there is a day of judgment approaching, in which those
characters, they would fain destroy, shall be openly acquit-
ted and they themselves condemned for their unreasonable
cruelty.
}
•
2. We
infer, that such christians as are deterred from im-
mediate duty by the edicts of wicked rulers, have reason to
suspect their hopes. Let them look at the conduct of Dan-
iel, of the three children, of the prophets, apostles and prim-
itive christians! and then ask themselves, whether they are
strong, and acquit themselves like men, like soldiers of Jesus
Christ in the same manner as these? Whether it can be said
of them as of the yenerable John Knox, that they never
feared man!" But we shall be told, that christians must be
prudent, True, but the prudence of a christian does not
consist in sacrificing the commands of God, or the greatest
good of community to the wicked ediets of rulers, or to the
caprice of a party. Alas! why were not the primitive chris-
tians wise enough to have had recourse to the modern notion of
prudence, and saved their lives?-Ah! they too well recol-
leeted, he that loveth father or mother; yea or even his
own life more than me, is not worthy of me."
3. Times of oppression, threatening and danger are favora-
ble times to judge whether we are for, or against Christ and
his cause in the world. Then christians must go in the face
of popular opinion and deep rooted prejudices. The tide
of the world sets heaven'y against them. In such a time
many apparent friends wither and die. Many become of-
fended and go no more with the saints in the good old way
of faith and obedience. Then it is solemnly and affectionate-
ly enquired, will ye also go away?"
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Finally. The sources of our degradation. misery and
wretchedness, present themselves and seem to demand a mo-
ments attention. The good man is perished out of the
earth, and there is none upright among men: they all lie in
wait for blood, they hunt every man his brother with a net.
That they may do evil with both hands earnestly, the prince
asketh. and the judge asketh for reward; and the great man
he uttereth his mischievious desire; so they wrap it up.
The best of them is as a briar, and the most upright is shar-
per than a thorn hedge. The day of thy watchman cometh;
apw shall be thy perplexity."
#
13
Once we were flourishing and happy; now we are swiftly
falling into disgrace and misery: or rather, as one of the ad-
ministration men in Congress remarked, "the cup of our na-
țional disgrace is full and runs over.” Once we were unit-
ed; but now a broken and divided people! Once we had
free trade and the people's rights; now we have no trade
and the people's wrongs! Once we had peace, but now war!
Once divine things were reverenced among us, but now in
a great measure, they are despised and contemned! What
has produced these astonishing changes? Let the censure
fall where it may, there is undoubtedly a capital defect in
the constitution of the government. It is a fact, to which
doubtless many are strangers, and which many have from
the beginning lamented, that no name of God, or of any su-
perintending Providence, is either mentioned or acknowledg-
ed in the constitution of the United States. No provision is
made to prevent the administration of the government falling
into the the hands of the immoral and profane, The infidel
or heathen, is equally eligible with the most virtuous, to the
honors and sacred trust of guardians of the people. And yet we
would fain be denominated a christian nation! Was ever a
claim more preposterous, or made with greater absurdity ?
The following, might to us, well be applied; and indeed let
the reproof have its deserved weight! Why call ye me Lord,
Lord, and do not the things which I say?" The consequence
has been, as might naturally have been expected; wicked and
immoral men have been chosen to fill the chair of state, which
is a demonstration that morality and religion are thrown in-
to the back ground. From this has resulted another natural
consequence equally to be deprecated. A system of violence
and oppression has been conceived in depravity, brought
forth in infatuation, and now stretches its huge limbs over our
land. Did the people once complain of their rulers for dis-
solving representative houses? And has the same line of con-
duet now become a virtue? Did they once alledge as a crime
that multitudes of new offices were erected, and swarms of
officers sent among them to eat up their substance and to har-
rass the people? And now has this same conduct become
honorable and praise worthy? Was an effect to render the
military independent of, and superior to the civil power, an
unpardonable crime? And now may the citizen be converted
into the soldir, and subjected to military law without his con-
sent; and yet this a virtue. this the rights and liberties of
the peple? Did they once complain for cutting off their
..
4.!!
14
trade with all parts of the world? And is now trade a bur
don; and the destruction of it necessary for the poople's
best good? Was it a crime to levy heavy and continued tax-
es? And now is a tax indirect on every article of consump,
tion both of food and apparel; besides a doubling direct tax
become an excellent oil? Was it once matter of complaint
that an oppressive government was exercised, and fundamen
tal laws disregarded? And now is an execrable conscription
law to be received as a salutary remedy, ant be borne with
out complaint? But we shall here be reminded, that times
and circumstances are altered, so that what was improper
then, becomes now a matter of propriety. We reply, that al-
though it may be true that times and circumstances are al-
tered, yet, it is not true, nor does it follow as a consequence
that therights and privileges of the people are altered. Wheth-
er thepeople possess a spirit worthy the children of such an-
cestors, is yet to be decidey. But we shali perhaps be tobl, that
all the present measures of our government, are neceSSERY
under existing circumstances. In this place, and at this time,
we have neither time nor inclination to discuss the subject;
but this much is doubtless true, that every tyrant, and every
oppressor of mankind, has made the same plea of ne-
cessity. Darius' necessity was, that he might have a "roy
al stutule," and that by this means the people might be in-
ared to an awful and divine conceit of the king's greatness,
and be more encouraged to have access to him. Bonaparte's
plea of necessity for his conscription was, the glory of the
French arms, the honor and safety of the nation. If, how-
ever, this plea of necessity be admitted, consequences the
most alarming to a free and enlightened people will ensue.
For if by a plea of necessity, one shilling of a man's proper-
ty may be taken from him without his consent; then by the
same rule, every farthing which he possesses may be taken in
the same way. If on this plea, one degree of his liberties
may be taken away without his consent; he may consequent-
ly be made a slave, and bartered as such by his new master,
or rather tyrant. If one citizen, may without his consent
be made a soldier, and thus be deprived of the benefit of trial
by a jury of his country, and be subjected to military tyran-
ny and despotism; then by parity of reasoning, every citi-
zen. may in the same way be deprived of the same privileges
and subjected to the same calamities. But palsied be the
arm that would execute such a system of oppression against
the rights and the liberties of this people; and confounded
be the tongue that would advocate it.
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Another calamity is, party rather than principle, appears
govern the conduct of too many. The demon of party
seems to reign among us almost without controul.
When a
candidate for an important office is proposed, the enquiry
seems not to be," is he capable, virtuous and honest," but is
he of our party? Many will condemn the conduct of rulers
one day, aud perhaps the next, they vote for the same men
and approve the same measures they had just condemned.
This their way is their folly, and such party views continued
and the nation is ruined.
There is also among us, a general neglect and in many
instances a contempt of divine things. The faithful, that
will not worship the king are hunted and reviled as the enc-
mies of their country. God's name is blasphemed, his min-
isters calumniated, his sabbath contemptuously profaned, and
by the great mass of the people, his service is called contempt-
ible. The people complain of their calamities, of their op-
pression, but they obtain no deliverance. And this God gives
them as the reason; "Your iniquities have separated between
you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you,
that he will not hear. Your hands are defiled with BLOOD,
and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies,
your tongue hath muttered perverseness. None calleth for
justice, nor pleadeth for truth; your feet run to evil and
make haste to shed innocent blood;wasting and destruction
are in your paths. The way of peace you know not; and there
is no judgment in your goings; you have made you
crooked paths ;" and "whosoever goeth therein shall not
know peace." Hence, we look for peace, but no good comes ;
for righteousness, but behold a cry; for light, but it is dark-
ness and obscurity! for judgment, but there is none! for sal-
vation, and it is far from us. Our transgressions are multi-
plied; we have departed away from our God, hy speaking
oppression, and uttering from the heart words of falsehood.
Truth is fallen in the streets, and equity cannot enter;—yea,
it is true, that he that departeth from evil, maketh him-
self a prey. The Lord has seen this, and it has dis-
pleased him, that there is no judgment. From the whole
then, we conclude that it is best for all to imitate the noble
example of the prophet: open our windows. even of our hearts.
and set our faces towards Jerusalem, the Zion and eity of
our God ; and pray, and give thanks as did the holy proph-
et of old-and then shall our light rise in obscurity, and our
present darkness will be as the noon-day in a serene sky, and
our sun shall go down no more.