An Election Sermon

Mr. FOSTER's ELECTION SERMON.

REVEREND SIR,

IN pursuance to a resolution of the Honorable Legislature, we present to you their Thanks for your Election Sermon, delivered yesterday—From a desire that they, with others, may be farther favored with its instruction, they are induced, through us, to request of you a Copy for the Press.

We are,

Reverend Sir,

with Sentiments of Esteem, Your most obedient Servants,

JOSEPH HUBBARD,

LEMUEL CHIPMAN,

SIMEON SMITH.

Rev. DAN FOSTER.

For it is not a vain thing for you; because it is your life: and through this thing ye shall prolong your days in the land whither ye go over Jordan to possess it.

MOSES gave an early and noble specimen of genuine patrio◊ism, when he chose rather to abide the fate of his nation, and take a part with them, than to be reputed the son of Thermu◊his the daughter of Pharaoh, though with the prospect of ascending the throne of one of the most ancient, splendid and powerful nations of the earth. And ever after he was divinely appointed to conduct the Hebrews out of Egypt, to the day of this death; he manifested a warm and constant affection to that people, and an animated desire to promote their tranquility and happiness.

BUT in nothing did Moses demonstrate his love to his nation more, than in that wise system of laws which he appointed them, so admirably calculated to subserve their greatest political interest and prosperity—this he admonishes them of in our text, the plain meaning of which is, "That religion, or a practical attention to that system of moral and religious institutions revealed from Heaven, will always promote the best interests of human society, and prove the greatest social blessing to mankind." And it is an happy consideration, that the religion GOD has been pleased to reveal to us, is not only rational, entertaining and sublime in itself, and calculated to promote the tranquility of individuals, and their utmost mental pleasure—but also to encourage and perfect the order, harmony and happiness of human society.

THE benign aspect of religion upon human society, and national prosperity and happiness, being principally intended by Moses in the text, I shall specially insist on this idea in the subsequent discourse.

AND that religion is a great and inestimable social blessing p. 6to mankind, and admirably adapted to render a nation peaceful and prosperous, may be confirmed and illustrated, whether we consider the nature and tendency of religion, or the holy, wise and just providence of GOD, which superintends all the affairs of mankind.

p. 6I. THE nature and tendency of religion are such, as have the most benign and friendly aspect upon civil society.

ALL those virtues and graces which are recommended in our holy religion, are happily subservient to the most substantial interests of civil communities.

AN inviolable regard to truth and fidelity, justice and equity, so much insisted upon, both in the Hebrew and Christian religion, is very necessary to the well being of society—as we should presently be convinced, by too sad experience, were insincerity and falsehood, injustice and fraud, to be substituted instead of those virtues, and introduced into general practice.—Temperate and chaste affections towards our neighbours—industry and diligence in our respective occupations—these are excellent virtues in communities, and tend to render social life peaceful and happy.

THE Hebrew Lawgiver recommended a profound veneration for JEHOVAH, as the creator, preserver and governor of the world; who is represented, in the religious institution of the Hebrews, as superintending, by his wise, holy and just providence, all the affairs of mankind; he commanded children and youth to exercise a filial and honorable regard to their earthly parents and superiors, affability towards equals, and courteousness to all; he required the Hebrews to maintain a sacred regard to the lives and health of their neighbours—to be temperate and chaste in their affections and whole deportment—not to intrude upon each other's property—to preserve an inviolable regard to truth in all their social intercourse, especially in matters of witness—to permit their neighbour the unmolested and uncoveted possession and enjoyment of his wise, his house, his field, his manservant, his maidservant, his ox, his ass, and every part of his property.—How excellently well qualified were these Mosaic institutions to render the Hebrew civil state happy! to promote peace and good order, p. 7union and tranquility—inspire friendship and mutual confidence—and to diffuse a spirit of piety towards GOD, and of justice and equity, truth and fidelity, benevolence and charity, through all the politic body! With great propriety therefore did Moses declare that Israel's attention to those laws he had given them "was not a vain thing for them; because it was their life:" and that "through this thing they should prolong their life, or days, in the land whither they went over Jordan to possess it."

p. 7RELIGION is admirably adapted to soothe the passions, calm the resentments and animosities, and meliorate the tempers of mankind, and prepare the human nature to relish the sweets of society and friendship. But I wish to be a little more diffusive.

First—RELIGION enjoins upon Kings, Princes, and all Magistrates, to rule in the fear of JEHOVAH, the Supreme Monarch of the universe; it teaches them that they are accountable to the GOD of Heaven in their political characters, though they may be called gods on earth; religion also renders a Magistrate august and venerable in the eyes of the people, and therefore gives strength and stability to his authority and laws; Many vicious Princes and Magistrates have indeed obtained such a degree of authority over their people, as to compel them, through fear and dread, to yield a temporary and hypocritical compliance with their laws and government; but how preferable is that obedience and obsequiousness of a people, who are allured and enticed to obey, by the shining examples of virtue, religion and patriotism, which they daily have presented them by their Princes and Rulers!

Secondly—As religion teaches Princes and Magistrates to rule in the fear of GOD, so also doth it inform them that the emolument and happiness of the people form the great law of reigning, and the grand design of the Magistrate's authority. Religion, both Hebrew and Christian, teaches civil Rulers to promote and cherish the social worship of GOD—to found and endow schools and seminaries of learning—and to adopt and improve every wise and benevolent measure for the encouragement of virtue and literature among their people.—Literature p. 8and religion have generally been esteemed most worthy and important objects of the attention of civil Rulers, even among Pagans.