their attention to the different forms of government adapted to different states of society, as Greece and Rome, showed that the great requisites of a stable government were education, religion, and patriotism, as well as courage, military discipline, and union; and then passed to the description of just rulers, their high vocation and responsibility, and pointed out their solemn duties, and said, "When these are the characteristics of our country we shall be like the Jerusalem above."

Fired with the contemplation, and rising with his theme, he suddenly exclaims: "Indulgent heaven seems to invite and urge us to accept the blessing. A kind and wonderful Providence has conducted us, by astonishing steps, as it were, within sight of the promised land. We stand this day upon Pisgah's top, the children of the free woman, the descendants of a pious race, who, from the love of liberty and the fear of God, spent their treasure and spilt their blood. Animated by the same great spirit of liberty, and determined, under God, to be free, these states have made one of the noblest stands against despotism and tyranny that can be met with in the annals of history, ancient or modern. One common cause, one common danger, and one common interest, have united us to the most vigorous exertions. We have been all along the scorn and derision of our enemies-but the care of heaven, and the charge of God. And hence our cause and union, like the rising sun, have shone brighter and brighter. Thanks be to God! we this day behold, in the fullness of our spirit, the great object of our wishes,

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of our toils and wars, brightening in our view. The battles we have already fought, and the victories we have won (vid. Saratoga), the pride of tyranny that must needs have been humbled, mark the characters of the freemen of America with distinguished honor, and will be read with astonishment by generations yet unborn."

He continued for some time to speak in this strain, of what God had done for us, as an evidence that he watched over our destinies, and would take care of our interests even to the end; and then, in view of the wrongs we had suffered, exclaimed: "Is it possible for us to behold the ashes, the ruins of large and opulent towns that have been burnt in the most wanton manner; to view the graves of our dear countrymen, whose blood has been most cruelly spilt; to hear the cries and screeches of our ravished matrons and virgins, that had the misfortune to fall into the enemies' hands-and think of returning to the cruel and bloody power which has done all these things? No; we are not to suppose such a thought can dwell in the mind of a free and sensible American. The same feelings in nature that led a Peruvian prince to choose the other place, must also teach us to prefer connection with any other people on the globe rather than with those from whom we have experienced such unrighteous severities and unparalleled cruelties." He then paid a short tribute to the good who had fallen, and who, he said, "shall be held in everlasting remembrance ;" and urged on all the necessity of continued, untiring effort, if they would win the glorious prize of complete independence.

While, in imagination, he thus beheld our final triumph, and called up before his mental vision the spectacle of a free people, guiding and controlling, under God, their own destinies, he seemed suddenly to be filled with prophetic fire, and rapt with the inspiring view that, far beyond the bloody battle-fields, rose on the future, he exclaimed: "To anticipate the future glory of America from our present hopes and prospects is ravishing and transporting to the mind. In this light we behold our country beyond the reach of all oppressors-under the great charter of independence, enjoying the purest liberty, beautiful and strong in its union, the envy of tyrants and devils, but the delight of God and all good men, a refuge to the oppressed, the joy of the earth; each state happy in a wise model of government, and abounding in wise men, patriots and heroes; the strength and ability of the whole continent collected in a grave and venerable council, at the head of all, seeking and promoting the good of the present and future generations. HAIL, MY HAPPY COUNTRY, SAVED OF THE LORD! HAPPY LAND! EMERGED FROM THE DELUGES OF THE OLD WORLD, DROWNED IN LUXURY AND LEWD EXCESS! HAIL, HAPPY POSTERITY, THAT SHALL REAP THE PEACEFUL FRUITS OF OUR SUFFERINGS, FATIGUES AND WAR!"

It is needless to dwell on the encouraging, inspiriting effect of such a sermon as this on both the Representatives in Provincial Congress assembled, and on the clergy and their congregations throughout the Colonies; but the prophecy and invocation at the close

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are certainly most noteworthy, and seem like a direct inspiration from heaven, not merely as foretelling the future independence and glory of the country, but the exact form and character of the government so boldly sketched. Through three years of doubtful war, and all the troubles, and dangers, and uncertainty, that surrounded and retarded the formation of a new government, he saw the union of states, "each one happy in a wise model of government," while "the strength and ability of the whole continent, collected in a grave and venerable council, is at the head of all, seeking and promoting the good of the present and future generations." This uttered fifty years after would have been literal history. Here was the outline of the great confederacy which was eventually formed with so much labor, and which made us "the refuge of the oppressed, the joy of the earth." One can imagine with what intent attitude and breathless silence the Representatives listened to this prophetic outburst, and for the moment forgot the perils that surrounded them, and the sore trials that awaited them in the contemplation of this vision of their country free and happy. It seemed as if God himself were calling on them to untiring exertion and firm trust by his promise of success.

CHAPTER V.

PERSONAL INFLUENCE OF THE CLERGY.-APPOINTMENT OF CHAPLAINS.-CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN THE MINISTERS OF CONNECTICUT AND MASSACHUSETTS.— THAXTER, FOSTER AND PAYSON FIGHTING AT LEXINGTON AND CONCORD.WASHINGTON ASKS CONGRESS FOR CHAPLAINS.-NUMBER AND NAMES OF, in THE ARMY AT CAMBRIDGE. THE PLAN OF ONE FOR TWO REGIMENTS BROKEN UP.-WASHINGTON'S SECOND LETTER TO CONGRESS ON THE SUBJECT.-HIS General Order respecting CHAPLAINS.-DAVID ELY.-JOSEPH FISH.-JONAI STEARNS.-JOHN MILLS.-DAVID CALDWELL.-THOMAS READ.-ROBERT DAVIDSON.-ELIZUR GOODRICH.-WM. GORIAM.-JOHN STEELE, FRANCIS CUMMINGS.-AZEL ROE.-HEZEKIAI BALCH.-CHARLES MCKNIGHT.-MANASSEH CUTLER. NATHAN STRONG.-NATHANIEL PORTER-ANNIE ROBINS.-JOHN CLEVELAND.-SAMUEL MCCLINTOCK.-HEZEKIAH RIPLEY.-ISAAC LEWIS.-Dr.

LATTA.-DR. ARMSTRONG.

HAVING endeavored briefly to illustrate the influence of the clergy on the Revolution in New England, by showing the systematic, direct power they brought to bear on the representatives of the people, and through them on every pastor and congregation in the Colony, a power more formidable than could be wielded by solemn acts of associations or synods, and as deserving of special recognition as the organization of town committees and the resolutions of councils of safety; I come now to speak more of personal influence and actions, of individual clergymen in their respective circles and stations. The annual sermon preached at the meeting of the representatives of the people was a representative sermon. Its sentiments were regarded as those of the great body of the clergy throughout the Colony, and hence went before the peo