"Providence has given to our people the choice of their rulers, and it is the duty, as well as the privilege and interest of our Christian nation to select and prefer Christians for their rulers.” Source: October 12, 1816. The Correspondence and Public Papers of John Jay, Henry P. Johnston, ed., (New York: Burt Franklin, 1970), Vol. IV, p. 393.
“Whether our religion permits Christians to vote for infidel rulers is a question which merits more consideration than it seems yet to have generally received either from the clergy or the laity. It appears to me that what the prophet said to Jehoshaphat about his attachment to Ahab ["Shouldest thou help the ungodly and love them that hate the Lord?" 2 Chronicles 19:2] affords a salutary lesson.” [The Correspondence and Public Papers of John Jay, 1794-1826, Henry P. Johnston, editor (New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1893), Vol. IV, p.365]
Friday, February 26, 2010
Anniversary of American Independence, July 4th, 1799, part 4
This Discourse was delivered at Hebron on July 4, 1799 by Cyprian Strong, Pastor of the First Church in Chatham, Massachusetts:
"My fellow citizens, since so fair an inheritance is given us, by the beneficent Ruler of the Universe, after making due acknowledgments to Him, let us resolve to defend it - to be good subjects and good citizens.
Let us resolutely support the government and constitution of our own choice. Let us guard against the principles of modern philosophy, discountenance the intrigues and designs which come from abroad; and the efforts of designing men within our own bosom.
Let that patriotism, which manifests itself in supporting the measures of our own government, be cultivated and strengthened.
But, let that mock patriotism, which advocates foreign measures, concerted to divide and weaken us, and which, under a specious zeal for liberty, is forever carping for faults in our own government, be reprobated as the greatest fiend to peace and order.
In every possible way, let the bands of order and good government be strengthened.
Let the principles of our Constitution be preserved inviolate.
Let men of integrity, and firmness, the friends of our independence, be the men on whom our eyes are fixed, as candidates for office.
May the hearts of the citizens, in the various branches and districts of the United States, be united and cemented; and may the intrigues of designing men be totally disconcerted.
May our independence be maintained, and our children and children's children, as they shall come upon the stage, have occasion to commemorate it, till come shall be no more.
Amen"
"My fellow citizens, since so fair an inheritance is given us, by the beneficent Ruler of the Universe, after making due acknowledgments to Him, let us resolve to defend it - to be good subjects and good citizens.
Let us resolutely support the government and constitution of our own choice. Let us guard against the principles of modern philosophy, discountenance the intrigues and designs which come from abroad; and the efforts of designing men within our own bosom.
Let that patriotism, which manifests itself in supporting the measures of our own government, be cultivated and strengthened.
But, let that mock patriotism, which advocates foreign measures, concerted to divide and weaken us, and which, under a specious zeal for liberty, is forever carping for faults in our own government, be reprobated as the greatest fiend to peace and order.
In every possible way, let the bands of order and good government be strengthened.
Let the principles of our Constitution be preserved inviolate.
Let men of integrity, and firmness, the friends of our independence, be the men on whom our eyes are fixed, as candidates for office.
May the hearts of the citizens, in the various branches and districts of the United States, be united and cemented; and may the intrigues of designing men be totally disconcerted.
May our independence be maintained, and our children and children's children, as they shall come upon the stage, have occasion to commemorate it, till come shall be no more.
Amen"
Anniversary of American Independence, July 4, 1799, part 3
This Discourse was delivered at Hebron on July 4, 1799 by Cyprian Strong, Pastor of the First Church in Chatham, Massachusetts:
"Such is our civil constitution, that the security of liberty, property and every natural right, is left at the election of the people; so far as will consist with a proper degree of energy in government.
Our rulers, or those who stand at the head of our national government, will be just such men as we are pleased to elect. That we have and ever shall have, men of talents and abilities to legislate and govern, we have no reason to doubt. And it will be our own fault, if we have not such men at helm.
Our danger arises from sloth and inattention on one hand, and from prejudices and lusts on the other. It is in the power of the people, to have just such men and just such an administration as they please. If electors are without information, and will give in their suffrages at random - if they will suffer themselves to be wheedled by designing men and artful demagogues, they may forge their own chains and rivet them.
But, it is in their power, with proper care, to secure to themselves a government and administration, which will render them prosperous and happy."
"Such is our civil constitution, that the security of liberty, property and every natural right, is left at the election of the people; so far as will consist with a proper degree of energy in government.
Our rulers, or those who stand at the head of our national government, will be just such men as we are pleased to elect. That we have and ever shall have, men of talents and abilities to legislate and govern, we have no reason to doubt. And it will be our own fault, if we have not such men at helm.
Our danger arises from sloth and inattention on one hand, and from prejudices and lusts on the other. It is in the power of the people, to have just such men and just such an administration as they please. If electors are without information, and will give in their suffrages at random - if they will suffer themselves to be wheedled by designing men and artful demagogues, they may forge their own chains and rivet them.
But, it is in their power, with proper care, to secure to themselves a government and administration, which will render them prosperous and happy."
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Anniversary of American Independence, July 4th, 1799, part 2
This Discourse was delivered at Hebron on July 4, 1799 by Cyprian Strong, Pastor of the First Church in Chatham, Massachusetts:
In every possible way, let the bands of order and good government be strengthened.
Let the principles of our constitution be preserved inviolate.
Let men of integrity and firmness, the friends of our independence, be the men on whom your eyes are fixed, as candidates for office.
May the hearts of the citizens, in the various branches and districts of the United States, be united and cemented; and may the intrigues of designing men be totally disconcerted.
May our independence be maintained, and our children and children's children, as they shall come upon the stage, have occasion to commemorate it, till time shall be no more.
In every possible way, let the bands of order and good government be strengthened.
Let the principles of our constitution be preserved inviolate.
Let men of integrity and firmness, the friends of our independence, be the men on whom your eyes are fixed, as candidates for office.
May the hearts of the citizens, in the various branches and districts of the United States, be united and cemented; and may the intrigues of designing men be totally disconcerted.
May our independence be maintained, and our children and children's children, as they shall come upon the stage, have occasion to commemorate it, till time shall be no more.
Anniversary of American Independence, July 4th, 1799, part 1
Today's society should heed the words of this Discourse delivered at Hebron on July 4, 1799 by Cyprian Strong, Pastor of the First Church in Chatham, Massachusetts:
By the constitution of the United States, every branch of our national legislature is elective. The men who compose them can be in office, but for a short time, without be re-elected.
Each branch of the legislature is under the influence of the strongest checks, and holden by the most forcible ties to faithfulness. Their reign is so temporary, as that the opportunity to form and execute schemes of corruption is very limited.
The natural propensity of the human mind, to distinction and eminence, will form a powerful check against such measures as are injurious to the people; and will impel to such as are calculated to secure and promote their real interests.
As long as the people of the United States are well informed and virtuous, so long they will be free, and their government uncorrupted. It is their power, to remedy the evils, arising from having wicked and designing men at the head of government - they can lift up and pull down at pleasure.
If government be not wisely administered, the fault must be in the people; for frequent election of every branch of the national legislature, if widely executed, is a sufficient remedy to all the mischiefs arising from a corrupt administration.
By the constitution of the United States, every branch of our national legislature is elective. The men who compose them can be in office, but for a short time, without be re-elected.
Each branch of the legislature is under the influence of the strongest checks, and holden by the most forcible ties to faithfulness. Their reign is so temporary, as that the opportunity to form and execute schemes of corruption is very limited.
The natural propensity of the human mind, to distinction and eminence, will form a powerful check against such measures as are injurious to the people; and will impel to such as are calculated to secure and promote their real interests.
As long as the people of the United States are well informed and virtuous, so long they will be free, and their government uncorrupted. It is their power, to remedy the evils, arising from having wicked and designing men at the head of government - they can lift up and pull down at pleasure.
If government be not wisely administered, the fault must be in the people; for frequent election of every branch of the national legislature, if widely executed, is a sufficient remedy to all the mischiefs arising from a corrupt administration.
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