The Election Sermon

STATE OF NEW-HAMPSHIRE. In the House of Representatives, June 7th, 1798.

Sent up for Concurrence,

JOHN PRENTICE, Speaker.

AN ELECTION SERMON.

GENESIS XIIth CHAPTER, 2d. VERSE.

AND I WILL MAKE OF THEE A GREAT NATION.

THE passage now read contains a part of that promise, which God made to Abraham, when he commanded him to depart from his country and from his kindred and from his father's house, and to sojourn in a strange land. To induce him to comply with this command of heaven, he is assured that he shall become a great nation, and shall be raised to distinguished heights of honor, happiness and renown. I will make of thee a great nation, says Jehovah, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing. And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee. This promise we find fulfilled in the nation of the Jews. From small beginning they rose to national greatness and happiness. They were for a long period, a great, happy and flourishing people. Under the protection of divine providence, they were secure against the invasion of p. 6enemies. God suffered no man to do them harm. He frequently appeared for their protection and deliverance, in times of danger and calamity. He gave them a land flowing with milk and honey and indulged them with all those temporal delights, which are necessary to comfort, pleasure and satisfaction. God chose them for his peculiar people and distinguished them from all the nations of the earth, in regard to religious privileges. He made them acquainted with his perfections and instructed them in their duty. Unto them pertained the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the service of God, and the promises.

THUS was the promise fulfilled. God made of Abraham a great nation.

IN the sequel of this discourse, I shall endeavor, as the words before us will naturally lead me, to shew what is necessary to render a nation great, according to the sense of our text.

THE requisites of national greatness are many and various. In one discourse it will not be expected that I should notice them all. To make some general observations upon the subject is all that can reasonably be required.

p. 6THAT a nation may become great, prosperous and happy it is necessary that they form into society and establish a constitution of civil government, that shall be best adapted to the general good. What form of government is the best and most eligible has been disputed in all civilized nations, by men of knowledge and penetration. "Some have been pleased p. 7with a monarchical form, others have chosen an aristocratical; while others, have given the preference to a more popular mode of government."

THE interests, manners, customs and prejudices of mankind are so variable, that it is very difficult to determine what frame of government will be most promotive of the good of any people. But I think we may safely affirm that to be the best constitution, which abridges the liberties of a people no further, than is necessary to their safety, prosperity and political happiness. Under such a constitution, persons are safe in their interest, honor and property. Authority, when exercised contrary to the general and important end of government, may be remanded and return into the hands of the people. But the greatness and happiness of a nation depend as much, if not more, on a wise and faithful administration, than on any particular form of government.

THAT a people may experience the happy effects of a wise and good administration of government, it is necessary that their rulers be men of knowledge, integrity and religion. It is very evident, that men, who are invested with the legislative authority, ought to have some acquaintance with mankind, with history and with the various modes of administration in different nations. But, especially, it is incumbent on civil rulers to be well acquainted with the constitution of the state in which they live. Without this knowledge they must be liable to many errors; and while they intend p. 8to do essential service to the community, they may be pursuing measures, which tend directly to destroy its happiness. We pretend not that it is necessary civil rulers should be persons of collegiate education. But they ought, at least, to be men of good understanding, that have a competent knowledge of the rights of mankind, and the nature of government. Ignorant men, men destitute of these qualifications, will, if raised to places of power and trust, be a curse, instead of a blessing to the community. They will be little more than mean instruments in the hands of men of crafty intrigue. A few individuals, in this case, will govern the state and a great part of the public lose the benefit of an equal representation. That persons, who are elected officers of government, ought to be men of knowledge and good understanding, we are taught not only by experience, but by revelation. The Jews were commanded "to take wise men, and understanding, and known among their tribes, and to make them rulers over them." On the other hand, it was considered as a great and heavy judgment, when weak and ignorant men were raised to stations of power and authority. "Woe unto thee, O land, when thy king is a child."

p. 8SOLOMON, when called to sit upon the throne of his father David, prayed that God would give him a wise and understanding heart, that he might be able to judge so great a people.

IF the greatest degrees of political knowledge are not an essential qualification in a ruler, yet he is unfit to be placed at the head of public affairs, who is of inferior abilities, who is unacquainted p. 9with the constitution of the State in which he lives, and who knows not what it is to act right; for he is very liable to abuse his power, and to encroach upon the rights and privileges of the people.