The Principles and Maxims on Which the Security and Happiness of a Republic Depend

Ipswich Public Ipswich, Massac* THE PRINCIPLES AND MAXIMS ON WHIGH THE SECURITY AND HAPPINESS OF A REPUBLIC DEPEND : A SERMON, GOVERNOR, THE LIEUTENANT-GOVERNOR, THE COUNCIL, AND TJIE TWO HOUSES COMPOSING THE LEGISLATURE OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS, MAY 29, 1811, BEING THE DAT OF GENERAL ELECTION. BY THOMAS THACHER, A. M. A.A.S, i'ustorof a Church in Dedham. BOSTON, PRINTED BY MUNROE & FRENCH, PRISTF.RS TO THE STATE. COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS. In Sena^E) Mat 30, 1811. ORDERED, That the Honorable Messrs. John Howe, John Welles, and Samuel Day, Esquires, be a Committee to wait on the Rev. Thomas Thacher, and in the name of the Senate to thank him for the sermon delivered before His Excellency the Governor, His Honor the Lieutenant Governor, the Hon. Council, and the two branches of the General Court, and to request a copy thereof for the press. Attest, MARCUS MORTON, Clerk of Senate. [A few passages are printed, which were necessarily omitted in the delive ry, from want of time-3 SERMON. JUDGES VIII. 23, 24. Then the men of Israel said unto Gideon, " Rule thou over us, both thou a id thy sion, and thy son's son ; for thou hast delivered us from the hand of Midian." And Gideon said unto them, "I will neither rule over you, nor shall my son rule over you; the Lord shall rule over you." GRATEFUL to every pious mind are those solemnities, when the rulers of the people repair to the temple of Almighty God, that they may obtain light and guidance in the discharge of their duty — not less pleasing to the patriot is the return of that day, in which the standard of national sovereignty and independence is demonstrated — and joyful to every private citizen is it to contemplate, that he is a part of that community, which shares her natural rights and privileges equally to every member. America excepted, such a spectacle is not to be seen in any part of the habitable world. Civil liberty, at least in its perfect form, is banished from all its seats in the civilized earth. Contemplating the blessings we receive from a constitution, which preserves with equal justice, the persons of the poor from the oppression of the rich, and the property of the rich from the violence of the poor, and extends the benignity of its laws, not only to the native, but the stranger ; we will not cease to offer a tribute of praise to that Supreme Being, whose extraordinary bounty has kept us from those chains by which all mankind are held in bondage ; and has in past time so happily delivered us from danger and ruin, that we almost seem to enjoy the privilege possessed by the Jews, of being under the direct influence and authority of the Deity himself.

— What can better direct our thankful devotions at this time than the passage of sacred history, from which our text is selected, and how can we better conform to the design of the occasion than by making such reflections of a practical and moral kind, as may be elicited from its sense and spirit. The text exhibits a mind superior to all the corruption and blandishments of fortune ; to the most fascinating form, by which man can be tempted by ambition. The crowns and thrones of successful conquerors, and fortunate usurpers vanish into nothing before such exalted virtue and sublime patriotism : But we will not enlarge on the other actions of Gideon, as that theme has been lately pre-occupied. It will be sussicient to point out these traits of his life, from which we shall collect our present subject. Gideon had by his wisdom and valour delivered his country from rapacious plunder and cruel slavery. The people of the land, probably in their general assembly, made a solemn tender to him and his posterity of the government, in return for the publick services, received from him, in the defence and protection of their country. By this act the form of their government was to be changed from a free republic to an absolute hereditary monarchy. But, happily for the nation, the purity, and magnanimity, and elevation of their hero, was above all desire of royalty. He replied on the spot, / will neither rule over you, nor shall my son rule over you ; but the Lord shall rule over you. In order to perceive the worth and value of the character of Gideon, the manner of his refusal should be considered. A crown and throne were freely offered him by the whole nation. For the honor of human nature, instances have recurred of heroes and statesmen, who have abstained from seizing upon the liberty of their country, when it was within their grasp ; and who have had too much honor and fidelity to b ? guilty of treachery and fraud to that people by whom they had been employed and caressed. Still, however, had a voluntary offer been made them of the government of their country, they would probably have considered the acceptance of it as no crime. But the instances are rare indeed, in which sovereign power, tendered by a whole nation, has been absolutely refused. This is a single example from sacred history of such magnanimity, and therefore the pre-eminent virtue of Gideon is the more worthy of our conspicuous regard. His name will be remembered, as long as those sacred volumes exist in which his virtues are recorded.

As example is more forcible than precept, we have selected this passage of sacred history to introduce our discourse. Even when such a sublime character is but briefly pictured out, the imperfect portrait is still adapted to fill the mind with generous and noble ideas. …