The Republican ledger — Portsmouth, N.H., 1800-09-23 00:00:00, page 1

From the Independent Chronicle.
, To the Author of the "fefferfoniad" in the
Centinel.
WHILE considering the “ decay of reli
gion and morality, so generally complained
of among the enemies to Mr. Jefferfon, it
F is proper to insert the following quotation
from Dr. Morse's Geography, which may
lead us to judge of one cause of their de
cline, viz»
" There is one distinguishing chara&eri
fic in,the religious charaaer of the people
Os New-England, which we must not omit
to mention, and that is the custom of annu
ally celebrating Fasts and Thanksgiv
' ING Days. This pious custom originated
with oi\r venerable anccftors, the firft fet
tlcrs of New-England, and has been hand
ed down as sacred through successive gener
ations of their posterity. A custom so ra
tional, and so happily calculated to cberijb
in the minds of the people, a sense of their de
pendence on the great Benefactor of the world,
for all his bleflings, it is hoped will ever be
sacredly preserved."
A sentiment of this kind, coming from
the Doctor, it is natural to suppose would
have had a proper effe& on his mind on
those aniverfaries. Instead of leading his
audience to speculative points of politics in
his Fast and Thanksgiving Sermons, we
might expe& that his discourses Would have
a tendency " to cberijb in the minds of the
people, a sense of their dependence on the
treat Benefactor of the world, -for all his
buffings." Instead of commencing a fiery
zealot as a politician, we should con
je&ure he would have been more conspicu
ous as a divine. His sermons on these oc
casions have been more calculated to light
top the torch of persecution, than to incul
cate the benevolent principles of the Gos
pel—his Sermons have beefy^f, congenial
with the anathemas of a P%g than the
mild persuasions of a disciple of our Saviour.
He has not only wrote Sermons to preach,
but has increased them to an enormous bulk,
for publication —his appendix, has sometimes
been longer than his original discourses, and
the advert fements fir the sale of them, seem
ed more calculated to inflame the commu
nity and to set the neighbours at variance,
than to promote that peace and good will
which are inculcated in the Scriptures. His
pretended Lift of Illuminati, containing a
number of outlandish names, may have ex
' cited the curiosity of the public, so as to
make it a catch-penny work but how far the
imposition balanced the profit, is left for
him to determine. An intolerant Ecclesi
astic, is of all characters the most to be
dreaded ; not that I would judge too illib
erally of the Do&or's intentions, but if any
thing has been published by him as a fact,
which afterwards turned out an egregious
falfoood, he is bound in duty (as an honest
man) to make as public a confeffion of his
crime. As a Christian teacher he would not
wish to give circulation to so barbarous a
story as the ocean Maflacre, under all the
tandity of a pulpit performance, and yet
be backward to acknowledge the falfity of
the narrative —As a Clergyman, who is giv
ing in his Geography, a “ distinguishing
charaCteriftic of the people of New-England,
in their observance of Fasts and Thank fgiv
ings, which (he fays) is so happily calculat
ed to cherish a sense of our dependence on
the Great Benefactor of the world," it can
not be supposed, that he would be desirous
to blast such an institution, by printing a
Sermon on this occasion, containing a falf
hood of the blatkeft nature. —If he is hon
est (as no doubt he is) we candidly hope that
this reverend divine, will, e'er long, make
an humble confeffion of his fault, and pub
licly retraa every observation which he has
made on this fabricated story. This con
duct would be honorable, and I cannot but
please myfelf that he will soon give this spe
cimen of his integrity-many of his friends
have expected to fee it in print before this
time, but an apology has been given, that
his various other, cares in collecting materi
rials for his Geography, &c. have hitherto
prevented its appearance. These remarks
on the Reverend DoCtor would not have
been so particular, had he not signalized
himfelf so often in political controversies,
and published so many hard things against
others ; but as reason is now taking place of
declamation, it is bed to bring him to that
point, in which he may shew his sincerity
to, the best advantage. The times require
an explicit copdua, and in order to try the
NUMBER £.—VOL. ll.]
" WHEN YOU SHALL THESE DEEDS RELATE, SPEAK OF THEM AS- THEY ARE ; NOTHING EXTENUATE NOR SET DOWN OUGHT IN MALICE."
PORTSMOUTH, (NEW^HAMPSHIRE) PRINTED BY NUTTING & WHITELOCK, MULBERRY LANE, ADJOINING ROUSSELETs MUSEUM.
The Republican Ledger.
validity of profeffions, an appeal should be
made to the consciences of those who pro
fefs to take "Truth for their guide," and
Religion “ for their objed," The fjuch
ftone of Religion is, to acknowledge a fault
after having committed it. Charity may
cover a multitude of fins, but cannot hide
the deformity of wilfully perftfting in error.
A man must cast out the beam in his own
eye, before he attempts to pull out the mote
which is in his brother's eye. Unless this
is done, it will not do to talk about Illumi
nati, Deism, Atheism, or the decay of Reli- ~
gion, &c.-^-firft let him (hew his own ve
racity, and he will then feel a confidence in
judging on other men's faults. If such an
error had been committed in his Geogra
phy, he would have been bound in duty to
rectify the mistake ; and in candor to the
Doaor, it must be acknowledged that he
wishes to Hand with equal reputation as an
Evangelical and as a Geographical author.
Will calumniating Mr. Jefferfon as an infi
del, atone for the impiety of affronting the
Supreme Being, by returning thanks, " that
though we have loft a Washington, yet
we (till have a Hamilton"! Hypocrisy it
felf must blush at such prophanity.
The mode in which our Fasts 4 Thanks
giving Days have of late been celebrated, by
many of the Clergy, has had a tendency to
destroy that religious charafteriftic which
distinguished our venerable ancestors. Those
days originated from that pure principle
which ought ever to govern a people pro
feffing godliness. They were set apart for
the express purpose, “to cberijb in the minds
of the people a sense of their dependence on the
Supreme Being." But if we examine the
Sermons preached for four or five years
back, how greatly deficient are they on this
point ? The people have assembled on those
occasions, but how small a part of the Ser
mons have been directed to this purpose ?
Politics instead of Religion, has generally
been the theme for contemplation. The
mind of the audience, instead of being so
lemnized to adore the Supreme Being for
all his mercies, has been convulsed with
party controversies. The preacher in ma
ny instances has exhibited more the attitude
of a Dictator than the solemn deportment of
a Christian Minister. The congregation
has been nearly disturbed by the inconsider
ate behaviour of the priest, and the society
have separated with as much personal irri
tation, as if they had been attending an elec
tioneering town-meeting.-—Fast & Thanks
giving days have been converted to days of
ftrife, and the facial circles have been often
rendered disagreeable by the disgusting con
dud and political dogmas of a vindiaive
Bigot. The Great Benefador of the World,
has been but a secondary objed, and the
names of men hate been oftener mentioned
on such days, than God or Jesus Christ,
The fad is, such an outrageous impulse has
been excited, that some persons could scarce
ly walk the streets without being insulted.
Fast and Thanksgiving Sermons were made
political engines to propagate particular
feptiments. They became a mere traffic,
and were hawked about the streets, like
play bills or quack-medicines. The papers
were filled with advegtifements of Fast and
Thanksgiving Sermons—the Clergy seem
ed embodied, and the press groaned with
new editions of Morse, Osgood, and Tapp
an ,• and even a Gardner vented bis vene
mous foleen, shrouded within the pale of
the fanAuary. A Fast and Thanksgiving
day, were days of political controversy--ma
ny of the Clergy took the field,and some
pulpits mounted as many guns as a firft rate
man of war. , The pews of certain indivi
duals were so particularly aimed at, that
the persons were almost obliged to raise a
breaf-work, to screen them from the cleri
cal assailants. Fast and Thanksgiving days
were in a great measure aflumed as the pri
vileged periods, when fiery zealots arraign
ed their congregations, to rdteive a sentence
of condemnation, for the deeds done as citi
zens and freemen—the culprits were sum
moned, and the reverend judge infliQed his
punishment, under all the terror which na
turally attaches itfelf to a facredotal anathe
ma, When the congregation was dismissed,
instead of hearing any thing which related
to the business of the Gospel, each one went
away " wagging his bead, and insulting his
political antoganift. Amidst this torrent of
political phrenzy, to the honor of some gen
tlemen in the profeffiqn, they omitted poli
tics and led their audience to adore that Be
ing, by whom all blefiings come.
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 1800.
I would not be thought unreasonably fe
v.re in my remarks, but I can appeal to my
ft low-citizens for the truth of them. In
a cool moment it is best to recapitulate these
circumstances, as refle&ions on th: unwar
rantable behaviour of Jime Clergymen, may
be of service to them in their future con
du&---neither do I wilh to cenfuie them too
rashly, but when they have been guilty of
such improprieties, a plain statement of
their " zeal without knowledge," may lead
them to a reformation, if not to repentence.
If their feelings are hurt by a revision of
their proceedings, how do they think those
whom they have censured were able to stand
the ordeal of their vindicative decisions ? It
is but a fair retaliation, that they should re
ceive a few of those lashes which they have
so unmercifully bestowed on others.
The prostitution of Fast and Thanksgiv
ing days, from those pure principles which
actuated our pious forefathers, has been a
primary cause of the decay of Religion.
The people in too many instances have found
them used by the Clergy to improper pur
poses. The minds of the aged have been
soured and embittered, while the young have
been led to contemplate them only set apart
for political controversy. Instead of piety
and devotion, politics have been considered
as the fubjed to arrest the public attention,
which-naturally excited an indifference and
inattention to every religious consideration.
The worship of the Supreme Being, has
scarcely formed a trait of our public dis
courses ; instead of adoring him we have
blasted the French Dire&ory—inftead of re
turning, him thanks, we have abused each
other—instead of praying for a blessing, we
have cursed those who differed from us. So
ciety almost seemed rent asunder; conten
tions and bickerings, instead of love and u
nity, were too often the produdions of
those solemn ceremonies. Why then are
we to look to French Pbilofopby, or Mr.
Mr. Jefferfon's writings, for the decay of
religion ? Let them look at home, and en
quire whether the cause has not arisen among
ourselves, and from a source, from which we
had a right to expe& better things. Reli
gion is conftruded of the purest and most
refined materials—an unskilful profeffor,
though placed in a conspicuous station, may
destroy its comlinefs and deform its fea
tures —it requires the most delicate manage
ment, otherwise it receives more incurable
wounds from its advocates, than from its
most inveterate enemies. The garb of Re
ligion is of the most exquisite texture, and
it may easily be torn asunder by those who
attempt to wear it. A fiery zealot in light
ing up the torch to enforce it, endangers the
system to a general conflagration. The
mild precepts of our Saviour is the oil which
burns in the lamp, and those who pursue a
different course, are the foolifh virgins who
are destitute of this vivifying ingredient.
Though such persons may fay, “ I have eat
and drank in thy 'prefence," yet the denun
ciation " depart from me/' will fall on
those, who have violated their sacred func
tions, and prostituted them to wordly pur
poses. Whilst the benevolent principles
_ which are inculcated by Mr. Jetterfon, to
give every man the right of confeience, will be
applauded; the fanatic reviler, who is wish
ing to torture every man in 4is own creed,
will be reprobated as an impostor, and an
enemy both to God and man. May the re
ligious of every fed think on these things.
OLD SOUTH.
From the Sentinel of Freedom.
The LAY PREACHER, on Money-Lovers.
" The love of money is the root of all e
vil." The root of all evil ? Yes : Money
is mammon—“ the least erected spirit that
fell from heaven." An afiftocracy is a go
vernment of a rich nobility. For "ariftos"
fignifies riches. An aristocrat fignifies a
monied man, who loves power. Power
and money are synonymous, or the fame in
substance with tyranny and aristocracy.—
Power and tyranny —money and aristocracy,
are just like father and son to each other. —
They are the inseparable tyrants of this
lower world. Money begets power : and
power begets pride ; and pride begets war
and contention, and many other sons and
daughters. Power loves money ; and mo
ney loves power remarkably well indeed.
The legislative, judicial and executive of
fices of government ought to be kept entire
ly diftinft and separate. This is a maxim
[1 DOL. 50 CTS. PER ANNUM.
in a free government : and a maxim, be
cause the blending of offices creates power;
and power is the eflfence of tyranny, and a
great enamorata to money ; and such an en
amorata is an internal devil, whose name is
mammon. We cannot serve God & Mam
mon. And Augur prayed, 66 give me nei
ther poverty nor riches ;" which he (hewed*
was synonymous to slavery and tyranny.—'
Augur, therefore, prayed for liberty and e
quality ; for equal rights, and equal laws.
Does not -many of our mini Hers make,
judge and execute their own rules and re
rulations ? This is ecclesiastical tyranny -
We cannot have civil liberty, if we are en
slaved to ecclesiastics. Civil and ecclesiasti
cal slavery walk hand in hand : they love
each other equal to money and power, who
are their parents. lam afraid money and
power have seduced and deflowered the vir
gin of liberty and the churches. I believe
ministers are not better than the members
of the church, and perhaps not as good.—
For the. communicants join the church as a
duty ; but we hear of priests who have ftp
died and ministered for the gold of the tem
ple : who have owned to their congregations
that they had been unconverted preachers,
and repented in dust and ashes their pre
sumption. The reformation of civil and
religious liberty ought to go hand in hand ;
and both kept undefiled. Christians! God
never designed you to be deluded and hood
winked by a set of hireling priests, -who
preach for the love of money, that root of
all evil. Study St. James —Refpe& not per
sons ; assert the law of liberty, and be free
indeed. A black coat or a rough garment,
is not the criterion of a faint or priest. A
black cloak, too often cloaks blacker hypo
crisy. A faint is a doer of the work. St.
James defines true religion to be “ the vi
liting of the widow and the fatherlefs," &c.
We are not to fay to the hungry, be ye filled;
but really give them nourishments. 6)uery.
Does the mammon coliaed every Sunday,
from all persons Who attend the assembly, go
only to the poor communicants of the church ;
or to the poor of all subscribing to the min
ister ? if only to the former, where is the
justice or religion of it ? Injustice is tyran
ny ; and vice is atheism or deism. For by
their fruits we know them. All men are
brothers, made of one flelh. He that fays
he loves God, and hateth his brother, is a li
ar. Therefore, love your enemies. Char
ity confined to the church communicants,
shew that the church loves money, the root
of all evil ; and we cannot serve God and
Mammon. The LAY PREACHER.
Bergen, Aug. 1800.
The following Address of the Abbe Raynalta
the people of America, ought to be written in
letters of gold, and to be engraven on our
hearts.
66 People of North America f let the ex
ample of all nations which have preceded
you, and especially that of the mother coun
try inftru& you. Be afraid of the assistance
of gold, which brings with luxury the cor
ruption of manners and contempt of laws :
be afraid of too unequal a distribution of
riches, which shews a small number of citi
zens in wealth and a great number in mise
ry ; whence arises the insolence of the one
and disgrace of the other. Guard against
the spirit of conquest. The tranquility of
Empire decreases, as it is extended.—Have
arms to defend yourselves and have none to
attack. Seek ease and health in labor
prosperity in agriculture and manufaaures
—strength in good manners and virtue
Make the sciences and arts prosper, which
distinguish the civilized man 1 from the sav
age. Especially watch over the education
of your children."
“ It is from public schools, be assured
that fkilful magistrates, disciplined and
courageous soldiers, good fathers, good huf- v
bands, good brothers, good friends and hon?
est men, come forth. Whenever we fee
the youth depraved, the nation is on the de
cline. Let liberty have an immovable foun
dation in the wifaom of your constitutions ;
and let it be the cement which unites your
Rates, which cannot be destroyed.—Establish
no legal preference in your different modes
of worship. Superstition is every where
innocent where it is neither prote&ed, not ,
persecuted ; and let your duration, if possi
ble, be equal to that of the world." —Amen.
From the Impartial os server.
(Printed in Rhodes (stand.)
The State of Rhode-Ifland and Provi-