The Portland gazette. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1818-1824, 1819-10-25
we'd, five neglec; all means Of education and
religious instruction.

we'd, five neglec; all means of education and
religious instruction.
NO one doubts the influence OF early ed
ncnfiorl in the formation Of character, aud in
the promotion o! the usefulness and happ.
ness OF human life. But DIRECTIONS hay,
been made 10 all Interference OF the civil
authority in afairs Of Religion. And well
disposed people have apprehendrd danger
to religious Freedom, and the rights Of con
science, from this source. II is not alto
gether surprising that such appreheasions,
uuiounded as they are In this country,
SHOULD have some renal 10y influence ,wllen
we remember the arbitrary power that has
been exercised IN other countries over the
rights OF cons tIence the sanguinary laws
which have been introduced by an od.ons
AID supers.iiious 5igotry, 10 confluence reIi
'g'ous opinions, and to punish with unrelep-
ing severity, any refusal 10 Subscribe to the
established national creed-when we recol-
lect, also, that II was by prosecutions Lac
these, tina, our Ancestors were .xnell-d
| from the bosom OF society, and tn. com
iofts 81 civilized HE, 10 take shelter in a
savage Wilderness
That the worship of God is duty Of u
hVersai Obligation, no enc, suppose. will
venture 10 deny. have, therefore, neve,
been able 10 discern any ground of obiec.
iion' agains, enforcing it by positive Ordi
dances, so long as the people are a, liberty
10 CHOOSE the form Of. worship best suited to
ibtir religious opinions, The tights of con
science can IN no possible case Be inysded .bv
The institution of public worship, supported
by public authority. To expect that the
means OF reigious instruction would be pen.
orally supplied by voluntary contributors is
vain expe citation. For Whatever influence
religious zeal and public spirit might have
with portion of the community, il is much
10 be feared that very many from motives Of
interest, and disinclinaiion 10 religious ex.
erclses, would be induced 10 Withhold all
pecuniary aid for the support Of public wor
snip. Besides, we've the scheme of volun
'ary Contributions practicable, can Der
ceive no preference il cen claim over those
regular assessments which are made confor-
maoiy TO the laws Of our present Govern
men'. IL seems TO me therefore manifest
that every form Of Government, which
makes no provision for The support of the
Clergy, and for The regular establishment Of
assemblies for divine worship, must be re-
garded as miserabiy defective i'm wisdom
and sound policy
have heen led TO extend my remarks on
this subject, from conviction Of its GRE al
importance, and because | think 1t deserves
more particular consideration at the present
time, when the attention OF the people of
Maine, from view of their political rela-
tons and prospects, is drawn to The exam
NATION OF toe fundamental D nciples Of
Government.
AS they will probably be soon called upon
I 10 give their sanction TO a new Constitution.
WHOSE UPDrariur' may u - pecte,I ~ Yxtrnd
It's influence, not only TO themselves, b.., 80
their pos'criy ! hold il 10 be the solemn
duty OF every man, whatever may be his
rank or condition, to reflect seriously end
csnGidly upon these matters and II ava II
himself OF every means of information IN
relation thereto, so that he NAV be qualified
to act understandings, on all those Constr
tuIional questions which will soon,ro doubt.
occupy public attention. Every citizen
must necessarily have q deep interest in
the formation and establishment of a wise
system of Government. He therefore, who
absorbed in the consideration of his own
private affairs, regards-with an eve Of indif-
ference subject of such importance TO the
community, must be considered as blind 10
! his own interest /; or regardless of his own
happiness and is deficient in the FIRST prin-
ciples Of patriotism and public virtue. Nor
ought any one TO be Withheld from lending
his aid to the formation Of new Govern
ment, from any previous doubls lie may
have entertained, as 10 the expediency and
propIiety OF such measure. 80 long IS
| this question was open TO discussion, end
whena decision was required by the con
siituted authorities. every maj, had right,
and il was his duty 70 express his opinion
freely and without disguise, according TO
the dictates OF his conscience. and with no
view but that Of the public good If from
any selfish considerations he was induced 10
act otherwise, he was guilty of base preya
ricslicn and dereliction Of duty
p But this momentous question must now
be considered IS settled by public opinion,
which is the only sure basis and support oil
all Governments, and TO agits,e it further
would be worse than useless.
Let all the people. then unite their tfforts
70 give to the new Government, all the sue
ces stability which its most ssuguire ad-
yoca'es have predicted. OF it. If public evils
have been spprehended by some in view Q,