cepted cases. There are to be found, here and there, the world over, individuals who entertain opinions hostile to the common sense of mankind on subjects of honesty, humanity, and decency; but it would be a kind of republicanism with which we are not acquainted in this country, which would require the great mass of mankind to yield to and be governed by this few. It is quite unnecessary to enter into a detailed review of all the evidences that Christianity is the common creed of this nation. We know it, and we feel it, as we know and feel any other unquestioned and admitted truth; the evidence is all around us, and before us, and with us. We know, too, that the exceptions to this general belief are rare,— so very rare that they are sufficient only, like other exceptions, to prove a general rule. The following papers reflect the Christian tone of the civil government and people of New York during the era of the Revolution: Die Saturnii, 9 ho. A.M., July 8, 1775. The Continental Congress having recommended it to the inhabitants of the Colonies to keep the twentieth day of July instant, 1775, as a day of fasting and prayer, this Congress does strictly enjoin all persons in this colony religiously to observe the said recommendation. And we, being taught by that holy religion, declared by the merciful Jesus and sealed by his blood, that we ought to acknowledge the hand of God in all public calamities, and being thoroughly convinced that the Great Disposer of events regardeth the hearts of his creatures, do most earnestly recommend it to all men to conform themselves to the pure dictates of Christianity, and by deep repentance, and sincere amendment of their lives, implore of our heavenly Father that favor and protection which he alone can give. COMMITTEE-CHAMBER, NEW YORK, May, 1776. Whereas the honorable Continental Congress have appointed and earnestly recommend “that the 17th inst. (being to-morrow) be observed by the United Colonies as a day of humiliation, fasting, and prayer, that we may with united hearts confess and bewail our manifold sins and transgressions against God, and, by a sincere repentance and amendment of life, as a people, appease his righteous displeasure against us, humbly imploring his assistance to frustrate the cruel purposes of our unnatural enemies, and, by inclining their hearts to justice and peace, prevent the further effusion of human blood; but if, continuing deaf to the voice of reason and humanity, and inflexibly bent on desolation and war, they constrain us to repel their hostile invasions by open resistance, that it may please the Lord of hosts, the God of armies, to animate our officers and soldiers with invincible fortitude, to guard and protect them in the day of battle, and to crown the Continental armies, by sea and land, with victory and success; that he may bless all our representatives in General Congress, Provincial Congress, Conventions, and Committees; preserve and strengthen their union, give wisdom and stability to their councils, and direct the most efficient measures for establishing the rights of America on the most honorable and permanent basis; that he would be graciously pleased to bless all the people in these colonies with health and plenty, and grant that a spirit of incorruptible patriotism and of pure and undefiled religion may universally prevail, and that this continent may be speedily restored to the blessings of peace and liberty, and enabled to transmit them inviolate to the latest posterity." It is therefore expected that all the inhabitants of this city and county do, on the morrow, abstain from all and every kind of servile labor, business, and employment, and attend upon divine service in public, which will be performed in all churches in this city; that no persons (but such as are in the Continental service, whose business may require it) will be permitted to cross the ferries, ride or walk out of town, or about the streets, for amusement or diversion; and that all parents and masters will be careful to restrain their children from playing and straggling about this city on the ensuing day, which ought to be, and we trust will be, regarded as the most solemn day this devoted continent has ever yet beheld. A true copy from the minutes. Published by order of the Committee, JOSEPH WINTER, Secretary. The following extracts from a proclamation issued by the Great and General Court of Massachusetts Bay in January, 1776, exhibit the high Christian character of the government of that Commonwealth : As the happiness of the people is the sole end of government, so the consent of the people is the only foundation of it, in reason, morality, and the natural fitness of things. And therefore every act of government, every exercise of sovereignty, against or without the consent of the people, is injustice, usurpation, and tyranny. It is a maxim of every government that there must exist somewhere a supreme, sovereign, absolute, and uncontrollable power; but this power resides always in the body of the people, and it never was or can be delegated to one man or a few,-the great Creator having never given to men a right to invest authority over them unlimited either in duration or degree. When kings, ministers, governors, or legislators, therefore, instead of exercising the powers intrusted to them according to the principles, forms, and propositions stated by the constitution and established by the original compact, prostitute those powers to the purposes of oppression,-to subvert instead of supporting a free constitution,—to destroy instead of preserving the lives, liberties, and properties of the people, they are no longer to be deemed magistrates vested with a sacred character, but become public enemies, and ought to be resisted. The present generation may be congratulated on the acquisition of a form of government more immediately, in all its branches, under the influence and control of the people, and therefore more free and happy than was enjoyed by their ancestors. But, as a government so popular can be supported only by universal knowledge and virtue in the body of the people, it is the duty of all ranks to promote the means of education for the rising generation, as well as true religion, purity of manners, and integrity of life, among all orders and degrees. That piety and virtue, which alone can secure the freedom of any people, may be encouraged, and vice and immorality suppressed, the Great and General Court have thought fit to issue this proclamation, commanding and enjoining it upon the good people of this colony that they lead sober, religious, and peaceable lives, avoiding all blasphemies, contempt of the Holy Scriptures and of the Lord's Day, and all other crimes and misdeameanors, all debauchery, profaneness, corruption, revelry, all riotous and tumultuous proceedings, and all immoralities whatsoever; and that they decently and reverently attend the public worship of God, at all times acknowledging with gratitude his merciful interposition in their behalf, devoutly confiding in him as the God of armies, by whose favor and protection alone they may hope for success in their present conflict. And all judges, justices, sheriffs, grand jurors, tithing-men, and all other civil officers within this colony, are hereby strictly enjoined and commanded that they contribute all in their power, by their example, towards a general reformation of manners, and that they bring to condign punishment every person who shall commit any of the crimes or misdemeanors aforesaid, or that shall be guilty of any immoralities whatsoever; and that they use their utmost endeavors to have the resolves of the Congress and the good and wholesome laws of this colony duly carried into execution. And as ministers of the gospel within this colony have, during the late relaxation of the powers of civil government, exerted themselves for our safety, it is hereby recommended to them still to continue their virtuous labors for the good of the people, inculcating by their public ministry and private example the necessity of religion, morality, and good order. Ordered, That the foregoing proclamation be read at the opening of every superior court of judicature, &c. and inferior court of common pleas and court of general sessions for the peace within this colony, by their respective clerks, and at the annual town meetings, in March, in each town. And it is hereby recommended to the several ministers of the gospel throughout this colony to read the same in their respective assemblies, on the Lord's Day next after receiving, immediately after divine service. By order of the General Court. In Council, January 19, 1776. In the House of Representatives, January 23, 1776. GOD SAVE THE PEOPLE! In January, 1777, the Legislature of the State of Massachusetts Bay addressed to the people, through civil officers and Christian ministers, a paper on the great conflict then in pro gress, which, after presenting the condition of the country, closes in these words: We, therefore, for the sake of religion, for the enjoyment whereof your ancestors fled to this country, for the sake of your laws and future felicity, entreat you to act vigorously and firmly in this critical condition of your country. And we doubt not but that your humble exertions, under the smiles of Heaven, will insure that success and freedom due to the wise man and patriot. Above all, we earnestly exhort you to contribute all within your power to the encouragement of those virtues for which the Supreme Being has declared that he will bestow his blessing upon a nation, and to the discouragement of those vices for which he overturns kingdoms in his wrath; and that at all proper times and seasons you seek to him, by prayer and supplication, for deliverance from the calamities of war, duly considering that, without his powerful aid and gracious interposition, all your endeavors must prove abortive and vain. The Christian views of the people and government of the colony of Massachusetts are further disclosed by the following proclamations: PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, CONCORD, MASS., Whereas it hath pleased the righteous Sovereign of the universe, in just indignation against the sins of a people long blessed with inestimable privileges, civil and religious, to suffer the plots of wicked men on both sides of the Atlantic, who for many years have incessantly labored to sap the foundation of our public liberties, so far to succeed that we see the New England colonies reduced to the ungracious alternative of a tame submission to a state of absolute vassalage to the will of a despotic minister, or of preparing themselves to defend at the hazard of their lives the inalienable rights of themselves and posterity against the avowed hostilities of their parent state, who openly threaten to wrest them from their hands by fire and sword. In circumstances dark as these, it becomes us, as men and Christians, to reflect that, whilst every prudent measure should be taken to ward off the impending judgment, or to prepare to act in a proper manner under them when they come, at the same time, all confidence must be withheld from the means we use, and repose only on that God who rules in the armies of heaven, and without whose blessing the best human counsels are but foolishness, and all created power vanity. It is the happiness of the church, that when the powers of earth and hell are combined against it, and those who should be nursing fathers become its persecutors, then the Throne of Grace is of the easiest access, and its appeal thither is graciously invited by that Father of Mercies who has assured it that "when his children ask bread, he will not give them a stone." Therefore, in compliance with the laudable practice of the people of God in all ages, with humble regard to the steps of Divine Providence towards this oppressed, threatened, and endangered people, and especially in obedience to the command of Heaven, that binds us to call on him in the day of trouble: Resolved, That it be, and hereby is, recommended to the good people of this colony, of all denominations, that Thursday, the eleventh day of May next, be set apart as a day of public humiliation, fasting, and prayer; that a total abstinence from servile labor and recreation be observed, and all their religious assemblies solemnly convened, to humble themselves before God, under the heavy judgments felt and feared; to confess the sins they have commited; to implore the forgiveness of all our transgressions; a spirit of repentance and reformation; and a blessing on the husbandry, manufactures, and other lawful employments of this people; and especially that the union of the American colonies in defence of their rights (for which hitherto we desire to thank Almighty God) may be preserved and confirmed; that the Provincial, and especially the Continental, Congresses, may be directed to such measures as God will countenance; that the people of Great Britain and their rulers may have their eyes opened to discern the things that make for the peace of the nation and all its connections; and that America may soon behold a gracious interposition of Heaven for the redress of her many grievances, the restoration of all her invaded liberties, and their security to the latest generations. Ordered, That the foregoing be copied, authenticated, and sent to all the religious assemblies in this colony. WATERTOWN, Nov. 20. A PROCLAMATION FOR A PUBLIC THANKSGIVING. Although, in consequence of the unnatural, cruel, and barbarous measures adopted and pursued by the British administration, great and distressing calamities are brought upon our distressed country, and in this colony in particular we feel the dreadful effects of a civil war, by which America is stained with the blood of her valiant sons, who have bravely fallen in the laudable defence of our rights and privileges; our capital, once the seat of justice, opulence, and virtue, is unjustly wrested from its proper owners, who are obliged to flee from the iron hand of tyranny, or held in the unrelenting arms of oppression; our seaports greatly distressed, and towns burnt by the foes who have acted the part of barbarous incendiaries; and although the wise and holy Governor of the world has, in his righteous providence, sent droughts into this colony, and wasting sickness into many of our towns; yet we have the greatest reasons to adore and praise the Supreme Disposer of all events, who deals infinitely better with us than we deserve, and amidst all his judgments hath remembered mercy, by causing the voice of health again to be heard amongst us; instead of famine, affording to an ungrateful people a competency of the necessaries and comforts of life; in remarkably protecting and preserving our troops when in apparent danger, while our enemies, with all their boasted skill and strength, have met with loss, disappointment, and defeat; and, in the course of his good providence, the Father of all Mercies hath bestowed upon us many other favors which call for our grateful acknowledgments: Therefore, We have thought fit, with the advice of the Council and |