A Sermon Preached Before His Excellency the Governor

When making this provision for our future safety afi'tf mppiness, the framers of our excellent constitution had idl the ancient forms of government to select from, and they were wisely directed in their choice. Th© form adopted is the most ooi^eiiial with the views and feelings «)f an enlightened people, who have a consciousne^ that they were born free, and a desire to live so. The wisdom and benevolence displayed in our present form of government have been tested by experience, and they excite our gratitude to the wise and patriotic framers of it. For their correct views and principles of civil govern^ ment, the diffusion of them among the inhabitants'of this land, and the unanimity with which they were adopted and maintained, the people were much indebted to the time m which they were called to sMs iraportEint work, and to the friendly disposition which then prevailed among them. Their recent sufferings and success in the cause of freedom, united them in the work of selfpreservation. They were uncorrupted by ambition. ,*¥ d party views and feelings they were mostly stralTgers^ and they sought not every one his own, but every man- ^lother^s good. At that period also the public mind was tranquil, the judgment cool and deliberate, and the feelings benevolent and patrrotic. They were alive tt> their duty and trise' interests ; and the plans they adopted in these happy*' moments formed the basis on which was to stand secure a nation free and happy. Owing to that one spirit and soul which actuated a' great and free peof^e, similar forms of government were adopted throughout te States in America. All that ha<l been done was excellent, but did not go far enough to'' meet the vie^s of a people whose interest was to be one, and indivisible. In politics as in other Sciences, one' improvement leads to another. The same causes which' induced individuals within certain limits to fiirra theinselves into bodies politic, or independent States, led the same States to form a Federal Union, and thus to become the pillars on which a national government should rest for its support. Its original boundaries have been, aficf possibly may be further enlarged by the admission of new territories and states into the Union* The experiment is making to. what extent a federal republic can be carried. The structure of the whole is formed on the same model, as that of its parts. The >princjp!les, materials, andbuilders are the same. We have here also set themembers every one in the body as it hath pleased us. The plan is noble, the work is subUine. Wisdom hath builded her house, she has hewn her several pillars on which it stands, and she has consecrated it the temple of liberty. To preserve the union of all the parts, and give strength to the whole edifice, is the duty of every citizeny and of every state composing the American jialtion. We owe our first duties to this Commonwealth, consisting of many members, yet but one body. The v^wfes of man are ever the most perfect when they have for their pattern the works of God. The human frame ex^ hibits to us that system, order and union which should be found in a body politic. What is necessary to an individual is also necessary to a people who have associated together to secure and augment the blessings of life. As the basis of pubhc happiness, we possess a g.QQd constitution, which, if faithfully preserved and ;administered upon, promises length of days, with increasiug prosperity. These blessings can no otherwise be enjoyed than by the members understanding the relation they bear to each other, and by every one's performing the p-opeir duties of his station. In a body thus fitly joined together, the happiness of individuals and of the community, are closely connected. The true interests of those who govern can never be separated from those who are gpvernedv A union between the members and the head, is necessary to the existence and prosperity of the whole body. To preserve this union, wisdom and, benevolence, truth and justice, virtue and patriotism should be seated in the head, and communicated to the members. The diffusion of these principles, \yill impart health and vigor to th§ whole body.

Men elevated to the office of legislators and constituted guardians' of the rights and interests of the people hold a commanding prospect and influence over them ; and they should knovi^ that the community is interested in all the measures they adopt and pursue, and must be deeply )^ssected by them. Let them consider by whom, and for what purposes they hold their responsible stations, and study the character and interests of their constituents. A knowledge of human nature, of its various perfections and many defects, of those views and feelings of men, excited merely from the condition in which they are placed, of the passions and desires of persons generally, and of the springs of action in all, is a necessary qualification of good rulers. To those who would so model the laws of society as to meet the ex^igei)ces of the times, and produce pleasing and salutary effects, this branch of science is as necessary as it is for a man first to know the powers of an instrument before he can take it in his hand and play skilfully upon it. Not only a knowledge of our own constitution, and of government and laws generally, is necessary to good rulers ; but a particular acquaintance also with the ' genius, habits and character of the people over whom they are permitted to bear rule* As the head is the vital part of the body, and its office js to preside over and direct the members, it should be intelligent and pure, and exert its legitimate powers for the preservation of order and harmony among them. …