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its natural outgrowths. Therefore the most important step remains yet to be taken,--to amend the Constitution so as to acknowledge God and the authority of his law; and the object of this paper is to suggest to this Convention the propriety of considering this subject and of preparing such an amendment to the Constitution as they may think proper to propose in accordance with its provisions.

In order to bring the subject more definitely before the Convention, we suggest the following as an outline of what seems to us to be needed in the preamble of that instrument, making it read as follows:-(proposed amendment in brackets)—

WE, THE PEOPLE of the United STATES, [recognizing the being and attributes of Almighty God, the Divine Authority of the Holy Scriptures, the law of God as the paramount rule, and Jesus, the Messiah, the Saviour and Lord of all] in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general welfare [and in order to secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and to our posterity,] do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

These words expressed the life-long convictions of the writer. For many years he had urged these views as he had opportunity, and had employed his influence to secure similar acknowledgments in the Constitutions of some of the States of the Union. The paper was endorsed simply, "FROM A MEMBER OF THE CONVENTION," and without either argument or personal influence in its favor, was presented for consideration on its own merits. Its reception was opposed by the Committee in charge of the order of business, who feared that it would draw the Convention away from the programme of exercises already agreed upon, but it was earnestly and zealously argued in reply that the paper was entirely germane to the subject then before the Convention, viz., "Religion in the Nation," one of a series: "Religion in the heart," "the family," "the church," &c. At length with great unanimity the paper was received and referred to a Committee representing all the denominations of Christians gathered in the Convention, and the Report of this Committee, approving the spirit and design of the paper, and endorsing the action which it proposed, was adopted. Objections which have since grown stale from repetition, were not wanting during the discussion, and some did not so much oppose the design of the paper, as its introduction into that Convention, but an earnest and decided majority argued, in the words of one who took part in the debate, that it was the real question of the hour, and of the weightiest importance; God was forcing it upon them, and there was danger in delay; they must begin the work, and begin it then. The friends of this measure in that Convention remember gratefully the timely and effective help rendered in this discussion by the Rev. H. H. GEORGE, now of Cincinnati, and the Rev. SAMUEL COLLINS, now of Pittsburgh.

From the foregoing facts it will be seen that this movement is the fruit of intelligent and mature convictions, confirmed by long reflection and careful study of the spirit and history of our institutions, and quickened into. active effort in an hour of deep religious and patriotic feeling. The eleven denominations of christians represented in this Convention, are witnesses to the unsectarian character of the movement. It is interesting, too, to observe that though the language of the proposed amendment was afterwards modified, yet all the principles which it seeks to acknowledge, and the suggestion of the preamble to the Constitution as the appropriate place for its insertion, were contained in this paper, which originated the movement.

Steps were next taken to secure the meeting in Pittsburgh on the fourth day of July ensuing, of a Council, composed of delegates appointed by the various ecclesiastical bodies whose spring meetings were soon to be held. To this call, there was no general response; the few delegates, however, who were appointed, with other friends of the cause, met at the designated time, and issued an address to the people of the country. From this paper, written by the venerable and lamented Dr. JOHN T. PRESSLY, we extract the following paragraphs:

While there are doubtless various causes which may have conspired to provoke the Lord to withdraw his protecting care from the nation, and leave us to experience our own helplessness and entire dependence upon him, there is one to which we desire at this time particularly to call the attention of all who feel an interest in the perpetuity and prosperity of our government; and that is, our neglect to give to God the glory which is due to His name in our National Constitution. This remark may possibly excite the surprise of some whose attention may never have been called particularly to the subject. Our National Constitution is the production of statesmen distinguished for their profound wisdom; men who had a clear perception of human rights, and the great principles of civil liberty; and viewed in its political aspect it is worthy of all commendation. But it is when viewed as the fundamental law of a Christian nation, that we are constrained to acknowledge a defect, over which the Christian patriot must The name of God is not found in our National Constitution, nor does it contain a distinct recognition of his authority or existence. And this omission to make an unequivocal acknowledgment of God is the more to be lamented when we consider the signal interposition of Divine Providence in behalf of the nation which had just been experienced. Though, as a people we were comparatively feeble; few in number and limited in resources, we had been brought successfully through a war with a powerful nation, and our independence had been secured. What a loud call was now addressed to us, when framing our National Constitution, to make a distinct acknowledgment of Him to whose providential disposition in our favor we were indebted for our national existence. And yet in this important instrument there is no unequivocal declaration which would prove to a people unacquainted with us that we, as a nation, believe in the existence of God, or acknowledge our dependence upon his providential care.

mourn.

"The kingdom is the Lord's and he is the Governor among the nations." Men, in their national as well as their individual capacity, are subject to the divine government, and are under obligations to acknowledge the authority of the Most High, who ruleth in the kingdom of men. Rulers who are called in the providence of God to preside over the interests of their fellow-men, are expressly required to yield to Him the homage of their obedience. "Be wise now, therefore, O ye kings; be instructed, ye judges of the earth. Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way when his wrath is kindled but a little." "The nation and kingdom that will not serve thee, saith God, shall perish; yea, those nations shall be utterly wasted." What, then, can a nation, favored with the light of divine revelation, which practically ignores God's authority, expect but that sooner or later divine vengeance shall overtake her, and that an end shall be put to her national existence, unless she is brought to repentance ?

True, it may be said that under our present excellent Constitution we have enjoyed great prosperity, and therefore have no reason to suppose that God is displeased with us on account of anything defective in it. But do we not know that God is long-suffering and slow to wrath, and that he often bears long with sinful nations as well as individuals? But there is a limit to the exercise of divine forbearance. And what is the aspect of God's providence toward us as a nation at the present time? one see that God is displeased with us as a nation, and has been provoked to bring upon us a terrible calamity?" We, the people," without acknowledging God's authority

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and the need of his help, framed a Constitution, "but we are this day a divided, dismembered nation. "We, the people," prepared a Constitution, "in order to insure domestic tranquility;" but to-day we are suffering under all the dreadful evils of a civil war. Have we not reason to fear that "we, the people," have presumed too much upon our own wisdom and strength, and without acknowledging our dependence upon God, have undertaken a work to which our unaided powers are not adequate? And have we not cause to apprehend that God is now chastising us for neglecting to acknowledge our dependence upon him, and for withholding from him the honor which is due his name?"Them that honor me," saith God, "I will honor; and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed." This declaration involves a great principle in God's moral government, which will hold good in application to nations as well as individuals.

As the disciples of Him whose kingdom is not of this world, we do not consider that it is within our province to interfere with anything in our Constitution which is strictly of a political character. But what we desire is to see that God who has done so much for us as a nation, and on the enjoyment of whose favor our national existence depends, is duly honored by a distinct acknowledgment of his authority in the fundamental law of the land. And we cordially invite our fellow-Christians and Statesmen to co-operate with us in our efforts to secure in a constitutional way, this desirable object.

JOHN T. PRESSLY, CHAIRMAN.

A little reflection had clearly shown that the church courts were not the proper machinery for carrying forward such a movement, and, at this meeting, steps were taken to call a National Convention, of all citizens favorable to the measure. This Convention assembled in Allegheny on the 27th day of January, 1864. It was an earnest, prayerful, and most encouraging meeting. Its action was as follows:

RESOLUTIONS.

Resolved, 1. That we deem it a matter of paramount interest to the life, and prosperity, and permanency of our nation, that its Constitution be so amended as fully to express the Christian national character.

2. That we are encouraged by the success attending the labors of the friends of this movement to persevere, in the hope that, with the blessing of God, this effort will speedily result in the consummation of this great object.

3. That in the late proclamations of His Excellency, the President of the United States, recommending the observance of days of national fasting, humiliation and prayer, (as suggested by the Senate of the United States,) for the purpose of confessing our national sins, which have provoked the Divine displeasure, and of imploring forgiveness through Jesus Christ-and also days of national thanksgiving for the purpose of making grateful acknowledgment of God's mercies-we have pleasing evidence that God is graciously inclining the hearts of those who are in authority over us to recognize his hand in the affairs of the nation, and to cherish a sense of our dependence on him. 4. That the following Memorial and petition to Congress be circulated throughout the United States for signatures:

MEMORIAL TO CONGRESS.

To the Honorable the Senate and House of Representatives, in Congress assembled : We, citizens of the United States, respectfully ask your honorable bodies to adopt measures for amending the Constitution of the United States, so as to read, in substance, as follows:

"We, the people of the United States, [humbly acknowledging Almighty God as the source of all authority and power in civil government, the Lord Jesus Christ as the Ruler among the nations, his revealed will as the supreme law of the land, in order to constitute a Christian government,] and in order to form a more perfect union, establish

justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and [secure the inalienable rights and the blessings of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness to ourselves, our posterity, and all the people,*] do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

"And further: that such changes with respect to the oath of office, slavery, and all other matters, should be introduced into the body of the Constitution as may be necessary to give effect to these amendments in the preamble. And we, your humble petitioners, will ever pray."

Resolved, That a special committee be appointed to carry the Memorial to Washington, lay it before the President, and endeavor to get a special message to Congress on the subject, and to lay said Memorial before Congress.

The National Association to secure the Religious Amendment to the Constitution of the United States, was organized at this Convention, with JOHN ALEXANDER, Esq., as President; Zadok Street, Salem, Ohio, of the Society of Friends) Vice-President; a full list of other officers, and an Executive Committee.

A large delegation was appointed to visit Washington, and urge the proposed Amendment on the attention of President LINCOLN. This Committee, embracing Professor J. H. McILVAINE, D. D., Princeton, N. J.; Professor J. T. PRESSLY, D. D., Penna.; Rev. JOHN DOUGLASS, D. D., Penna.; Rev. D. C. PAGE, D. D., Pa.; Rev. H. H. GEORGE, Ohio; Dr. STERRITT, Pa.; JOHN ALEXANDER, Esq., Ohio; Rev. J. S. T. MILLIGAN, Mich.; Rev. R. A. BROWNE, Pa.; and Rev. A. M. MILLIGAN, Pa., met in Willard's Hotel, Washington, on Tuesday evening. February 9. The Rev. Dr. GURLEY, Rev. Dr. CHANNING, Chaplain of the U. S. Senate, J. J. MARKS, D. D., Rév. B. F. MORRIS, Rev. R. D. JOHNSON, and Rev. N. R. CROW, of the District of Columbia met with the delegation, heard the address prepared by Dr. MCIVAINE, the chairman of the committee, and gave it their hearty sanction; most of them signed the address and waited on the President with the delegation. Revs. S. O. WYLIE and J. R. W. SLOANE, with WM. BROWN, Esq., delegates from the Synod of the Reformed Presbyterian church to the President, also, by invitation signed the address and acted with the delegation. Through the aid of Senator Sherman, of Ohio, an arrangement was made with the President for an interview on Wednesday, 31 P. M., when the delegation was introduced to the President by Dr. GURLEY, and the chairman made the following address:

ADDRESS TO THE PRESIDENT:

MR. PRESIDENT:-The object for which we have taken the liberty of trespassing a moment upon your precious time, can be explained in very few words. We are the representatives of a mass convention of christian people, without distinction of sect or denomination, which was held in Allegheny city, on the 27th and 28th of January last; and we are instructed to lay before your Excellency the action of that convention.

After reading the resolutions of the convention, and the Memorial to Congress, embodying the proposed Amendment, the address continued as follows:

We are encouraged, Mr. President, to hope that you will give the great object for which we pray, your cordial and powerful support, because you have already shown by many significant acts of your administration that the principle on which it rests is dear to

* This clause was dropped after the amendment prohibiting slavery was adopted.

your heart. This principle is our national responsibility to God, which you have expressly and repeatedly recognized. We remember that when, under one of your predecessors, an anti-christian power had refused to treat with the United States on the ground that we were a christian nation, the objection was removed by the authoritative statement that we, as a nation, had no religion; also that several of your predecessors refused, when earnestly importuned, to appoint days of national fasting and thanksgiving for the same reason, whilst you, sir, within the space of a single year, have thrice, by solemn proclamation, called us either to national fasting, humiliation and prayer, for our many and grievous sins, especially our sin of forgetting God, or to national thanksgiving for His unspeakable mercies.

You, moreover, as no other of our Chief Magistrates ever did, have solemnly reminded us of the redeeming grace of our blessed Saviour, and of the authority of the Holy Scriptures over us as a people. By such acts as these you have awakened a hope in the Christian people of this land that you represent them in feeling the want of a distinct and plain recognition of the divine authority in the Constitution of the United States. For we hold it most certain truth, that nations, as such, and not individuals alone, are the subjects of God's moral government, are responsible to Him, and by Him are graciously rewarded for their obedience, or justly punished for their disobedience of His divine laws.

We believe also that our civil and religious liberties, our free institutions, and all our national prosperity, power and glory, are mercies and blessings derived from God to us through the channel of the christian religion. Notwithstanding, either from inadvertency, or following some Godless theory of civil government, we have omitted even the mention of His blessed name in the most significant and highest act of the nation.

We believe that in thus leaving God out of our political system, we have grievously sinned against Him, have brought upon ourselves and children His just displeasure, opened the flood-gates of that political corruption which is the mediate, and given occasion to that prodigious development of the spirit of oppression and injury to the negro race, which is the immediate source of our present calamities and sorrows. We believe, therefore, that it is our first duty to repent of this and all our national sins, and to return to our obligations as a christian people, by acknowledging the true God as our God in our fundamental and organic law, in order that we may consistently implore His merciful interposition in our behalf, to give victory to our national arms, and success to the national cause; to establish the unity of the nation and the authority of the Government, now assaulted and shattered by a horrible rebellion. We ask for no union of Church and State—that is a thing which we utterly repudiate; we ask for nothing inconsistent with the largest religious liberty, or the rights of conscience in any man. We represent

no sectarian or denominational object, but one in which all who bear the christian name, and all who have any regard for the christian religion, can cordially agree; and one to secure which we are persuaded that any lawful and wise movement would call forth an overwhelming public sentiment in its support.

We, therefore, do earnestly hope that you, our beloved Chief Magistrate, will not be indifferent to our prayer. For, by what you have already done in this cause, and by your integrity, firmness, and excellent wisdom, (divinely guided as we believe it has been, and pray that it may ever continue to be,) under the terrible responsibilities laid upon you in this the darkest hour of our country's peril and rebuke, you have won the confidence and affection of the christian people of this land, beyond all your predecessors, save only the Father of his Country. Knowing, then, the respect and deference with which your sage counsels are listened to by the whole people, and deeming the present time and occasion most opportune, we are persuaded that if you will give this movement your favor and support, it will be successful, and thus you will place yourself in the hearts of the present, and of all future generations, as one of the greatest benefactors of your country. For, having inaugurated those measures which aim to right, so far as that is possible, our great national wrong committed against man, you will have wielded that vast influence with which you have been clothed by Divine Providence and by the voice

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