A SERMON ON THE PRESENT SITUATION OF AMERICAN AFFAIRS. PREACHED IN CHRIST-CHURCH, JUNE 23, 1775. At the Request of the OFFICERS of the THIRD BATTALION of the City of Phila|delphia and District of Southwark.
BY WILLIAM SMITH, D. D. PROVOST OF THE COLLEGE IN THAT CITY.
WILMINGTON, PRINTED AND SOLD BY JAMES ADAMS, IN High-street, M, DCC, LXXV.
PHILADELPHIA, June 25, 1775.
AT a Meeting of the Officers of the 3d Battalion, of the City of Philadelphia and District of Southwark—agreed that Dr. SMITH be thank'd for his excellent Sermon, preach'd at their Request the 23d Instant; and that he be requested to furnish a Copy of the same for Publication; as, in their opinion, it will promote the Cause of Liberty and Virtue.
Signed by Order, JOHN CADWALADER, Colonel.
PREFACE.
THE following Sermon was drawn up on a few days notice, and without any view to the press, at the request of some of the Author's worthy Friends, to whom he could refuse nothing of this kind. At their request, it is now likewise submitted to the Public, as it was preached, without varying or suppressing a single sen|timent or material expression; and with the addition only of a few lines, and three or four explanatory notes.
The Author considered that, although he was called to this office by a particular body, yet he was to address a great and mixt assembly of his fellow-citizens, and a number of the first characters in America, now met in consultation, at a most alarming crisis.
Animated with the purest zeal for the mutual interests of Great-Britain and the Colonies; ardently panting for the return of those Halcyon-days of harmony, during which both countries so long flourished together, as the glory and wonder of the world; he thought it his duty, with the utmost impartiality, to attempt a state of the unhappy controversy that now rends the empire in pieces; and to shew, if peradventure he might be permitted to vouch for his fellow citizens, so far as he has been con|versant among them, that the idea of an independence upon the Parent-country, or the least licentious oppositi|on to its just interests, is utterly foreign to their thoughts; that they contend only for the sanctity of charters and laws, together with the right of granting their own money; and that our rightful Sovereign has no where more loyal subjects, or more zealously attached to those principles of government, under which his family inhe|rits the Throne.
These, with a few things which seemed necessary re|specting the church at this time, are the topics handled in the following Sermon. If the principles it contains Page iv are but thoroughly felt, the Reader will not regret that the limits of a single discourse would not allow a particu|lar application of them. They will lead to their own application; or, at least, that field is left open to suc|ceeding Preachers.
Upon the whole, if the kind expectations of the Au|thor's Friends can be in any degree answered; if what he has delivered shall tend "to promote the Cause of Liberty and Virtue;" and particularly, if it could find its way to the closets, or rather to the hearts, of the Great, and (after all the arguments they have heard from others) could in the least induce them to juster and more benevolent sentiments concerning their American bre|thren—he would account it among the happiest circum|stances of his life.
Enough has surely been attempted, by way of experi|ment, to be convinced that the people of this country know their rights, and will not consent to a passive sur|render of them—It is, now at least, time to pursue ano|ther mode, and to listen to some plan for averting the dreadful calamities which must attend a hostile prosecu|tion of this unnatural contest. The author's wishes for the accomplishment of such a plan, have been so frequently expressed as to subject him perhaps to suspicions which he would not wish to merit, either here or else where. But still, if he could see it take place, upon a just and perma|nent foundation, he would be content, if it were required, to sing his "nunc dimittis," and to take a final leave of earthly concerns.
Page 5SERMON, &c.
JOSHUA xxii.22.
The Lord God of Gods—the Lord God of Gods—He knoweth, and Israel he shall know—if it be in Rebellion, or in Transgression a|gainst the Lord—Save us not this Day.
THESE Words, my Brethren, will lead us into a train of reflections, wholly suitable to the design of our present meeting; and I must beg your indulgence till I explain, as briefly as possible, the solemn occasion on which they were first delivered; hoping the application, I may afterwards make of them, may fully reward your attention.
THE two tribes of Reuben and of Gad, and the half tribe of Manasseh, had chosen their inheritance, on the Eastern side of Jordan, opposite to the other tribes of Israel. And although they knew that this situation would deprive them of some privi|leges which remained with their brethren on the other side, and particularly that great privilege of having the place of the Al|tar and Tabernacle of God among them; yet, as the land of Canaan was judged too small for all the twelve tribes, they were contented with the possession they had chosen. And thus they spoke to Moses—
IT is a land of cattle, and thy servants have much cattle. Wherefore, if we have found grace in thy sight, let this land be given to us for a possession, and we will build sheepfolds here for our cattle, and cities for our little ones; and we our|selves will go ready armed before our brethren, the children of Israel,—and will not return into our houses, until they have inherited every man his inheritance.—
AND Moses said unto them—If you will do this thing, and will go all of you armed over Jordan before the Lord, until he have driven out his enemies from before him; and the land (of Canaan) be subdued (for your brethren;) then after|wards ye shall return, and this land (of Gilead) shall be your possession before the Lord
—Numb. 32.
THIS, then, was the great original contract, under which these two tribes and a half were allowed to separate from the rest, and Page 6 to dwell on the other side of Jordan. They were to assist their brethren in their necessary wars, and to continue under one Go|vernment with them—even that of the great Jehovah himself— erecting no separate altar, but coming to perform their sacri|fices at that one Altar of SHILOH, where the Lord had vouch|safed to promise his special presence.
THOUGH this subjected them to inconveniencies, yet as Uni|formity of Worship and the Nature of their Theocracy required it, they adhered faithfully to their contract.
IN the fear of God, they bowed themselves at his altar, al|though not placed in their own land; and, in love to their bre|thren, they supported them in their wars, "till there stood not a man of all their enemies before them;" and at last, JOSHUA, their great leader, having no farther need of their assistance, gave them this noble testimony—That they had in all things obey'd his voice as their general, and faithfully performed all that they had promised to Moses the servant of God. Where|fore, he blessed them, and dismissed them to return to their own land
No sooner, therefore, had they entered their own country, than in the fullness of gratitude, on the banks of Jordan, at the common passage, over against Canaan, they built an high or great Altar, that it might remain an eternal monument of their being of one stock, and entitled to the same civil and religious privileges, with their brethren of the other tribes.
BUT this their work of piety and love was directly misconstru|ed. The cry was immediately raised against them. The zea|lots of that day scrupled not to declare them Rebels against the living God, violators of his sacred laws and Theocracy, in setting up an altar against his holy altar; and therefore the whole con|gregations of the brother-tribes, that dwelt in Canaan, gathered themselves together, to go up to war against their own flesh and blood; in a blind transport of unrighteous zeal, purposing to ex|tirpate them from the face of the earth, as enemies to God and the common wealth of Israel!
IN that awful and important moment (and oh my God that the example could be copied among the brother-tribes of our Is|rael, in the parent land) I say, in that awful and important moment, some milder and more benevolent men there were, whose zeal did not so far transport them, but that, before they unsheath'd the sword to plunge it with unhallowed hand into the bowels of their brethren, they thought it justice first to enquire into the truth of the charge against them. And, for the glory of Israel, this peaceable and prudent council prevailed.
A MOST solemn embassy was prepared, at the head of which Page 7 was a man of sacred character, and venerable authority, breath|ing the dictates of religion and humanity; PHINEHAS the son of Eleazer the high Priest, accompanied with ten other Chiefs or Princes, one from each of the nine tribes as well as from the re|maining half tribe of Manasseh.
GREAT was the astonishment of the * Gileadites on receiving this embassy, and hearing the charge against them. But the pow|er of conscious innocence is above all fear, and the language of an upright heart superior to all eloquence. By a solemn appeal to Heaven for the rectitude of their intentions, unpremeditated and vehement in the words of my text, they disarmed their brethren of every suspicion.
"THE Lord God of Gods," say they (in the fervency of truth, repeating the invocation) "the Lord God of Gods,"—He that made the heavens and the earth, who searcheth the hearts, and is acquainted with the most sacred thoughts, of all men—"He knoweth, and all Israel shall know," by our unshaken constan|cy in the religion of our fathers,—that this charge against us is utterly false.
THEN turning from their brethren, with unspeakable dignity of soul and clearness of conscience, they address the almighty Je|hovah himself—
OH thou sovereign Ruler of the universe—our God and our Fathers God—"if it be in Rebellion or in transgression against thee," that we have raised this monument of our zeal for the com|monwealth of Israel—"SAVE US NOT THIS DAY!" If the most distant thought has entered our hearts of erecting an independent altar; if we have sought, in one instance, to derogate from the glory of that sacred Altar which thou hast placed among our bre|thren beyond Jordan, as the common bond of union and worship among all the tribes of Israel—let not this day's sun descend up|on us, till thou hast made us a monument of thine avenging ju|stice, in the sight of the surrounding world!
AFTER this astonishing appeal to the great God of Heaven and Earth, they proceed to reason with their brethren; and tell them that, so far from intending a separation either in government or religion, this altar was built with a direct contrary purpose—
BUT while this altar stands, they shall always have an answer ready. They will be able to say—
THIS noble defence wrought an immediate reconciliation a|mong the discordant tribes.
THE whole history of the Bible cannot furnish a passage more instructive than this, to the members of a great empire, whose dreadful misfortune it is to have the evil Demon of civil or reli|gious discord gone forth among them. And would to God, that the application I am now to make of it could be delivered in ac|cents louder than Thunder, till they have pierced the ear of every Briton, and especially their ears who have meditated war and de|struction against their brother-tribes of Reuben and Gad, in this our American Gilead. And let me add—would to God too that we, who this day consider ourselves in the place of those tribes, may, like them, be still able to lay our hands on our hearts in a solemn appeal to the God of Gods, for the rectitude of our in|tentions towards the whole common wealth of our BRITISH IS|RAEL. For, call'd to this sacred place, on this great occasion, I know it is your wish that I should stand superior to all partial motives, and be found alike unbiass'd by favour or by fear. And happy it is that the parallel, now to be drawn, requires not the least sacrifice either of truth or virtue!
LIKE the tribes of Reuben and Gad, we have chosen our inhe|ritance, in a land seperated from that of our fathers and brethren, not indeed by a small River, but an immense Ocean. This in|heritance Page 9 we likewise hold by a plain original contract, entitling us to all the natural and improvable advantages of our situation, and to a community of privileges with our brethren, in every civil and religious respect; except in this, that the throne or seat of Empire, that great altar at which the men of this world bow, was to remain among them.
REGARDLESS of this local inconvenience, uncanker'd by jea|lousy, un-depress'd by fear, and cemented by mutual love and mutual benefits, we trod the path of glory with our brethren for an hundred years and more—enjoying a length of felicity scarce e|ver experienced by any other people. Mindful of the hands that protected us in our youth and submitting to every just regula|tion for appropriating to them the Benefit of our trade—our wealth was poured in upon them from ten thousand channels, widening as they flowed, and making their poor to sing, and in|dustry to smile, through every corner of their land. And as of|ten as dangers threaten'd, and the voice of the British Israel called our brethren to the field, we left them not alone, but shared their toils, and sought by their side,
So far you see the parallel holds good. But what high altars have we built to alarm our British Israel; and why have the congregations of our brethren gathered themselves together a|gainst us? why do their embattled hosts already cover our plains? will they not examine our case, and listen to our plea?
"THE Lord God of Gods—he knows" and the whole sur|rounding world shall yet know, that whatever American altars we have built, far from intending to dishonour, have been raised with an express view to perpetuate the name and glory of that sa|cred altar, and seat of empire and liberty, which we left behind us, and wish to remain eternal, among our brethren, in the pa|rent land!
ESTEEMING our relation to them our greatest felicity; ador|ing the providence that gave us the same progenitors; glory|ing in this, that when the new-world was to be portioned out among the kingdoms of the old, the most important part of this continent fell to the sons of a protestant and free nation; desirous of worshiping for ever at the same altar with them; Page 10 fond of their manners, even to excess; enthusiasts to that sa|cred plan of civil and religious happiness, for the preservation of which they have sacrificed from age to age; maintaining, and always ready to maintain, at the risque of every thing that is dear to us, the most unshaken fidelity to our common Sove|reign, as the great center of our union, and guardian of our mutual rights;—I say, with these principles and these views, we thought it our duty, to build up American altars, or con|stitutions, as nearly as we could, upon the great British model.
HAVING never sold our birth-right, we considered ourselves entitled to the privileges of our father's house—"to enjoy peace, liberty and safety;" to be governed, like our brethren, by our own laws, in all matters properly affecting ourselves, and to offer up own our sacrifices at the altar of British empire; con|tending that a forced devotion is idolatry, and that no power on earth has a right to come in between us and a gracious sove|reign, to measure forth our loyalty, or to grant our property, without our consent.
THESE are the principles we inherited from Britons themselves. Could we depart from them, we should be deemed bastards and not sons, aliens and not brethren.
THE altars therefore which we have built, are not * high or rival altars to create jealousy, but humble monuments of our union and love; intended to bring millions yet unborn, from e|very corner of this vast continent, to bend at the great parent-altar of British liberty; venerating the country from which they sprung, and pouring their gifts into her lap when their countless thousands shall far exceed hers.
IT was our wish that there should be an eternal "Witness be|tween our brethren and us; that if at any future period, amid the shifting scenes of human interests and human affections, their children should say to our children—"Ye have no portion" in the birth-right of Britons, and so seek to push them from the common shrine of Freedom, when they come to pay their ho|mage there; they might always have an answer ready—"Be|hold the pattern of the altar which our Fathers built." Behold your own religious and civil institutions, and then examine the frames of government and systems of laws raised by our fathers in every part of America! Could these have been such exact Page 11 copies of your own, if they had not inherited the same spirit, and sprung from the same stock, with yourselvs.
THUS far you see the parallel yet holds good, and I think cannot be called a perversion of my text; if you will allow that the supreme power of an empire, whether theocratical, monar|chical, or howsoever distributed, may be represented under the figure of one common altar, at which the just devotion of all the subjects is to be paid.
BUT it is said that we have of late departed from our for|mer line of duty, and refused our homage at the great altar of British empire. And to this it has been replied, that the very refusal is the strongest evidence of our veneration for the altar it|self. Nay, it is contended by those charged with this breach of devotion, that when in the shape of unconstitutional exacti|ons, violated rights and mutilated charters, they were called to worship idols, instead of the true divinity, it was in a transport of holy jealousy, that they dashed them to pieces, or whelm'd them to the bottom of the ocean.
THIS is, in brief, the state of the argument on each side. And hence, at this dreadful moment, ancient friends and bre|thren stand prepared for events of the most tragic nature.
HERE the weight of my subject almost overcomes me; but think not that I am going to damp that noble ardor which at this instant glows in every bosom present. Nevertheless, as from an early acquaintance with many of you, I know that your principles are pure, and your humanity only equal'd by your transcendent love of your country, I am sure you will indulge the passing tear, which a preacher of the Gospel of Love must now shed over the scenes that lie before us—Great and deep distress about to pervade every corner of our land! millions to be called from their peaceful labors by "the sound of the trum|pet, and the alarm of war! Garments roll'd in blood," and even Victory itself only yielding an occasion to weep over friends and relatives slain! These are melancholy prospects; and therefore you will feel with me the difficulties I now labour under—forsaken by my text, and left to lament alone that, in the Parent-land, no PHINEHAS has prevailed; no Embassy * of great or good men has been raised, to stay the sword of destruc|tion, Page 12 to examine into the truth of our case, and save the effu|sion of kindred blood. I am left to lament that, in this sad in|stance, Jewish tenderness has put Christian benevolence to shame.
IT is time, and indeed more than time, for a great and enlighten|ed people to make names bend to things, and ideal honor to practical safety? Precedents and indefinite claims are surely things too nu|gatory to convulse a mighty empire. Is there no wisdom, no great and liberal plan of policy to re-unite its members, as the sole bulwark of liberty and protestantism; rather than by their deadly strife to encrease the importance of those states that are foes to freedom, truth and humanity? To devise such a plan; and to behold British Colonies spreading over this immense Con|tinent, rejoicing in the common rights of freemen, and imitat|ing the Parent State in every excellence—is more glory than to hold lawless dominion over all the nations on the face of the earth!
BUT I will weary you no longer with fruitless lamentations concerning things that might be done. The question now is— since they are not done, must we tamely surrender any part of our birthright or of that great charter of privileges, which we not only claim by inheritance, but by the express terms of our co|lonization? I say, God forbid! For here, in particular, I wish to speak so plain that neither my own principles, nor those of the church to which I belong, may be misunderstood.
ALTHOUGH, in the beginning of this great contest, we thought it not our duty to be forward in widening the breach, or spread|ing discontent; although it be our fervent desire to heal the wounds of the public, and to shew by our temper that we seek not to distress, but to give the parent state an opportunity of sav|ing themselves and saving us before it be too late; nevertheless, as we know that our civil and religious rights are linked together in one indissoluble bond, we neither have, nor seek to have, any interest separate from that of our country; nor can we advise a desertion of its cause. Religion and liberty must flourish or fall together in America. We pray that both may be perpetual.
Page 13A CONTINUED submission to violence is no tenet of our church. When her brightest luminaries, near a century past, were called to propagate the court doctrine of a dispensing Power, above Law— did they treacherously cry—"Peace, Peace," when there was no Peace! Did they not magnanimously set their foot upon the line of the constitution, and tell Majesty to its face that "they could not betray the public liberty," and that the Monarch's only safe|ty consisted "in governing according to the laws?" Did not their axample, and consequent sufferings, kindle a flame that il|luminated the land and introduced that noble system of public and personal liberty, secured by the revolution? Since that period, have not the avowed principles of our greatest divines been a|gainst raising the Church above the State; jealouse of the national rights, resolute for the protestant succession, favourable to the reformed religion, and desirous to maintain the faith of Toleration? If exceptions have happened, let no society of christians stand an|swerable for the deviations, or corruptions, of individuals.
THE doctrine of absolute NON-RESISTANCE has been fully exploded among every v•••uous people. The free-born soul re|volts against it, and must have been long debased, and have drank in the last dregs of corruption, before it can brook the idea
THE application of these principles, my brethren, is now ea|sy and must be left to your own consciences and feelings. You are now engaged in one of the grandest struggles, to which free|men can be called. You are contending for what you conceive to be your constitutional rights, and for a final settlement of the terms upon which this country may be perpetually united to the Parent State.
LOOK back, therefore, with reverence look back, to the times of ancient virtue and renown. Look back to the mighty pur|poses which your fathers had in view, when they traversed a vast ocean, and planted this land. Recal to your minds their labors, their toils, their perseverance, and let their divine spirit animate you in all your actions.
LOOK forward also to distant posterity. Figure to yourselves millions and millions to spring from your loins, who may be born freemen or slaves as Heaven shall now approve or reject your councils. Think that on you it may depend, whether this great country, in ages hence, shall be filled and adorned with a virtu|ous and enlightened people; enjoying LIBERTY and all its con|comitant blessings, together with the RELIGION of JESUS, as it flows uncorrupted from his holy Oracles; or covered with a race of men more contemptible than the savages that roam the wilderness, because they once knew the
AND while you thus look back to the past, and forward to the future, fail not, I beseech you, to look up to "the God of Gods— the Rock of your Salvation. As the clay in the potter's hands," so are the nations of the earth in the hands of Him. the ever|lasting JEHOVAH! He lifteth up—and he casteth down
THE bright prospects of the Gospel; a thorough veneration of the Saviour of the world; a conscientious obedience to his di|vine laws; faith in his promises; and the stedfast hope of im|mortal life through him; these only can support a man in all times of adversity as well as prosperity. You might more easily "strike fire out of ice," than stability or magnanimity out of crimes. But the good man, he who is at peace with the God of all peace, will know no fear but that of offending him, whose hand can cover the righteous
ON the omnipotent God, therefore, thro' his blessed Son, let your strong confidence be placed; but do not vainly expect that every day will be to you a day of prosperity or triumph. The ways of providence lie through mazes, too intricate for human penetration. Mercies may often be held forth to us in the shape of sufferings; and the vicissitudes of our fortune in building up this American fabric of happiness and glory may be various and chequer'd.
BUT let not this discourage you. Yea rather let it animate you with a holy fervor—a divine enthusiasm—ever persuading yourselves that the cause of virtue and Freedom is the CAUSE of GOD upon earth; and that the whole theatre of human nature does not exhibit a more august spectacle than a number of Free|men, in dependence upon Heaven, mutually binding themselves to encounter every difficulty and danger in support of their na|tive and constitutional rights, and for transmitting them wholly and unviolated to their posterity.
IT was this principle that inspired the heroes of ancient times; that raised their names to the summit of renown, and filled all succeeding ages with their unspotted praise. It is this princi|ple too that must animate your conduct, if you wish your names to reach future generations, conspicuous in the roll of glory; and so far as this principle leads you, be prepared to follow— whether to life or to death.
WHILE you profess yourselves contending for Liberty, let it be with the temper and dignity of freemen, undaunted and firm, but without wrath or vengeance, so far as grace may be obtain|ed to assist the weakness of nature. Consider it as a happy cir|cumstance, if such a struggle must have happened, that God hath been pleased to postpone it to a period, when our country is adorned with men of enlightened zeal; when the arts and sci|ences are planted among us to secure a succession of such men; when our morals are not far tainted by luxury, profusion or dissipation; when the principles that withstood oppression, in the brightest aera of the English history, are ours as it were by peculiar inheritance; and when we stand upon our own ground, with all that is dear around us, animating us to every patriotic exertion. Under such circumstances and upon such principles, what wonders, what atchievements of true glory, have not been performed!
FOR my part, I have long been possessed with a strong and Page 16 even enthusiastic persuasion, that Heaven has great and gracious purposes towards this continent, which no human power or human device shall be able finally to frustrate. Illiberal or mistaken plans of policy may distress us for a while, and perhaps sorely check our growth; but if we maintain our own virtue; if we cultivate the spirit of Liberty among our children; if we guard against the snares of luxury, venality and corruption; the GENIUS of AMERICA will still rise tri|umphant, and that with a power at last too mighty for opposi|tion. This country will be free—nay, for ages to come, a chosen seat of Freedom, Arts, and heavenly knowledge; which are now either drooping or dead in most countries of the old world.
To conclude, since the strength of all public bodies, under God, consists in their UNION; bear with each other's infirmities, and even varieties of sentiments, in things not essential to the main point. The tempers of men are cast in various molds. Some are quick and feelingly alive in all their mental operations, espe|cially those which relate to their country's weal, and are there|fore ready to burst forth into flame upon every alarm. Others a|gain, with intentions alike pure, and a clear unquenchable love of their country, too stedfast to be damped by the mists of preju|dice, or worked up into conflagration by the rude blasts of passion, think it their duty to weigh consequences, and to deliberate fully upon the probable means of obtaining public ends. Both these kinds of men should bear with each other; for both are friends to their country.
ONE thing further let me add, that without order and just su|bordination, there can be no union in public bodies. However much you may be equals on other occasions, yet all this must cease in an united and associated capacity; and every individual is bound to keep the place and duty assigned him, by ties far more powerful over a man of virtue and honour, than all the other ties which human policy can contrive. It had been better never to have lifted a voice in your country's cause, than to betray it by want of Union; or to leave worthy men, who have embarked their all for the common good, to suffer, or stand unassisted.
LASTLY, by every method in your power, and in every possible case, support the LAWS of your country. In a contest for liberty, think what a crime it would be, to suffer one Freeman to be in|sulted, or wantonly injured in his liberty, so far as by your means it may be prevented.
THUS animated and thus acting—We may then SING with the prophet—
THUS animated and thus acting—we may likewise PRAY with the prophet—
