A Sermon Delivered in Presence of His Excellency John Taylor Gilman

MR. ROWLAND's ELECTION SERMON.

State of New-Hampshire. In the House of Representatives, June 3d, 1796.

Sent up for concurrence;

RUSSELL FREEMAN, Speaker.

In SENATE, June 3d, 1796, Read and concurred. Mr. Flanders appointed.

Nath'l Parker, dep.y sec'ry.

True Copy, Attest,

ELECTION SERMON.

HE THAT RULETH OVER MEN MUST BE JUST, RULING IN THE FEAR OF GOD.

A CHARACTER formed upon the principles of religion is the most honorable and useful. It comprises all the virtues that recommend man to the peculiar notice of his MAKER, render him an ornament to society, make him happy in a state of social connection in the present world, and glorious in immortality.

SUCH a character was David, The anointed of the God of Jacob: and he insists upon the indispensable necessity of it in those who rule over men. Nor does he offer merely his own private opinion respecting this important subject, for the Spirit of the LORD p. 6was with him—The GOD of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spake to me, HE THAT RULETH OVER MEN MUST BE JUST, RULING IN THE FEAR OF GOD.

THE royal Prophet here points out, in a very brief and comprehensive manner, the duty, and the necessary qualifications of a civil ruler. These words ought to be engraven in the heart of every ruler, and in the heart of every person in the choice of rulers; for while they direct the latter to whom they ought to give their suffrages, they point out to the former the character which they should possess.

IT is both pertinent and laudable, and must be considered so, by all good men, to enter on the public business of legislation, by the presentment of the rulers and officers of Government before the LORD in his sacred courts, to hear the words of his law, and to supplicate his presence and aid. We are happy that our civil Fathers have consecrated the present time to these solemn duties of religion. The occasion on which we are assembled, and the theme which I have chosen, will naturally lead me to make some remarks on government; delineate the character of a good ruler; exhibit the necessity of religion in civil administrations, and its happy effects in society.

MUTUAL advantage, at first induced men to form into social compact, and produced towns, states and p. 7empires. To exist in this social capacity, and secure life, property and happiness, it was found necessary that they should have some form of civil government. It is the will of GOD, that government should exist among men. What particular form is no where designated, but every nation has a right to choose for itself, and adapt it to the views, feelings and circumstances of the people. One form may be best for one nation, and a different, for another. That form is best, which most effectually secures their rights and rational liberties.

p. 7To the due administration of justice it is necessary that some should be clothed with authority; without this, they will not be able to regulate the affairs of state, and secure the good and peaceable, from the wanton abuse of the wicked and licentious. Their power, it is true, they derive from the people, but when they have invested them with authority they should pay due submission to, and place confidence in them.

A RACE of rational beings, not connected by the parental or filial tie, not depraved, but perfectly innocent, it is probable would fall into some kind of polity or civil connection. By forming into society the collected gifts and graces of all would become the property and emolument of all; but without social connection, they would be the property and profit p. 8only of the person possessing them, and could not benefit the whole. Society cannot be formed, or subsist, without certain regulations, or constitutional establishments. Such a race of beings, as we before mentioned, could find no difficulty in forming into union, and constituting the social tie. If their powers and capacities were different, reason would plainly lead the superior to the head, and the inferior to their respective places of subordination in the body. Or, if in regard to powers and capacities, all were on a par, then all would equally govern, and be equally subject. The good Angels are represented as having a kind of connection and order among them. The sacred books speak of Principalities and Powers, Thrones and Dominions; and the superiority signified by this necessarily supposes connection and subordination. But be it as it may among good and holy beings, yet obviously among beings so deeply depraved and selfish as man, government is indispensably necessary. Without government, it would be impossible to live in such a world as ours. A state of anarchy, without law and government, would be a state of complete wretchedness.—Such are the fierce and savage lusts of men, that property and life would constantly hang on uncertainty. The Israel◊◊◊◊ nation found themselves in a most calamitous stat◊◊ when there was no Government authoritatively established among them, and every one p. 9did without controul what was right in his own eyes. The GOD of natu◊◊ has pointed out the propriety of civil government, in the constitution of families, and given a specimen 〈…〉 in parental authority and filial subjection; this only excepted, that all men are born free and stand on a par: so that all rightful ◊◊◊erning must 〈…〉 from the governed and have 〈…〉 foundation in common consent and agreement. Necessity early led men to form themselves into social bodies, and confirm the social tie by certain laws and regulations 〈…〉 agreed on and committed to some one 〈…〉 more of the body.

p. 9IN order to government, rulers are necessary; and to a happy administration 〈…〉 requisite that they answer the character 〈…〉 the text: Some delineation of which was the next thing we proposed.

HE THAT 〈…〉 OVER MEN MUST BE JUST, 〈…〉 IN THE FEAR OF GOD. He must be just in all his dealings in the exercise of the powers with which he is 〈…〉 administering justice without p◊rtiality. The word of GOD teaches the necessary qualifications of a good ruler. To this he will ◊ook for 〈…〉 in his duty. Here he will find a model▪ on which his character should be formed; and rules 〈…〉 to his whole conduct. It teaches him to reverence GOD as the Supreme Ruler of nations, his dependence on Him for light and direction, p. 10and his accountableness to Him for all his actions: and this will have a happy influence on his conduct and excite him to fidelity. It unfolds a glorious immortality, through JESUS CHRIST, to those who are faithful to GOD in the trust committed to them, and improve their talents aright: by which glorious hope the pious ruler is animated in his laborious undertaking.