The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1843-08-21
THE FIRST PRAYER IN CONGRESS.

The subjoined extract of characteristic letter
from John Adams, describing scene in the first Con-
gress IN Philadelphia, in September l774, shows very
clearly on what power the mighty Of old rested
their cause. Mr.. A. thus writes to friend at the
I time:
"When the Congress met Mr. Gushing made mo-
ton that it should be opened with prayer 1t was
opposed by Mr. Jay, Of New York, and Mr.. Rut-
LEDGE of South Carolina, because we divided
in religious sentiments, some Episcopalians, some
Quakers, some Anabaptsts, some Presbyterians and
some Congregatlonalists, that we could Join in
the same ACT of worship. Mr.. Samuel Adams arose
and said that he bigo and could hear pray er
from any gentleman OF plety and virtue who was at
the same time friend TO his country. He was a
stranger IN Philadelphia, but had heard that Mr.
Duche, (Dushay they pronounced it, deserved that
character and therefore he moved that Mr.. Duche
an Episcopal clergyman, might be desired TO read
prayers tomorrow morning. The motion was Sc
conded, and passed in the affirmative Mr.. Ran
doph, our President, waited on Ar. Duche, and re-
ceived for er, that if his health would permit he
certainly would Accordingly next morning he APP
peared with his clerk, and in his poinicals and read
several prayers ia the established FORM then read
the collect for the 7th day Of September which was the
35lh psalm. You must remember, this was the next
morning after we had heard the rlmor Of the horr-
bic canncnade OF Boston seemed as If hearen had
ord .iHtd that psalm 10 beread on that morning.
Alter tins, Mr.. Duche, unexpectedly TO every body,
struck out into an eXtemporary prayer which filled
the bosom OF every man present. ! must confess |
never heard better prayer, or one well pronoun-
ced Episcopalian he is, Or. Cooper never prayed
with such fervor, such ardor, such correctness and
pathos, and in language elegant and sublime, for
America, for Congress, for the province Of Massa-
chusetts Bay, especially the town OF Boston 1t has
had an excellent effect upon every body here must
beg you to read that psalm Ii there is any faith in
the sortes Virglliance, sortes Homerice, or es-
peciay the sortes Bbice, it would be thought pro-
vdental."
Here a worthy Of the painters art Ii
was in Carpenters Hall in Philadelphia, building
which 1--WE learn by recent artice still survives in
its original condition. though sacreligousy con-
vcred, we believe, into auction mart for the sale
Of chars and tables, that the "a individuals met TO
whom this service was read.
Washington kneeling there, and Henry and
Randolph, and Ruedge, and Lee, and JAY and by
their side there stood bowed in reverence the PurI-
tan patriots Of New England, who at that moment
had reason TO believe that armed soldiery was
wasting their humble households. IL was believed
that Boston had been bombarded and DESTROYED -
They prayed ierventy for America for the Congress
for the province of Massachusetts Bay and especial
ly for the town of b son and who can realize the
emotions with which they turned imporingy TO Hea-
ven for divine interpotIon and add 1t was enough
says Mr.. Adams, TO melt heart of stone' | saw
the tears gush into the eyes of the DID, pacific Qua
keIs Of Philadelphia.