Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1843-08-04
VOL. IX.-NO. 40.
THE FIRST PRAYER IN CONGRESS.

H.
The subloined extract of Characteristic
letter from John Adams, describing scene
IN the hrst Congress in Philadelphia. in Sen
TENDER, l775, shows very clearly on what
power the mighty men of old rested their
cause. Mr.. A. thus writes to a sT;end =,
the time d'
when Inc Congress met, Mr.. Cusbino
%ade motion that it should be opened Win
prayer II was opposed by Mr.. jaw. of New
YORK, and Mr.. Rutedge, of South Carroll
ma, because we were so divided in religions
sentiments, some Episcopaians, some Qua
kers, some Anabaptists, some Presbyterians
and some Congregationalsts, that we could
not JOIN IN the same act of worship. Mr.
Samuel Adams, arose and said "that he was
no blgot, and could hear prayer from anv
gentleman OF plety and virtue who was at
the same time a friend 10 his country. He
was stranger in PhiIadelphis but had
heard that MIR. Duche, (Dushay, they pro-
nounced it) deserved that character. and
therefore he moved that Mr.. Duche. an
Episcopal clergyman, might be desired to
read prayers TO the Congress tomorrow
morning" The motion was seconded and
passed in the affirmative. Mr.. Randolnb
our President, waited on Mr.. Duche and re.
ceived for answer, that if his health wonId
permit he certainly would. Accordingly
next morning he appeared with his clerk,
ana IN his poniIficals, and read several pray
ers IN the established form, and then read
the c'hect Tor the seventh day of Septem-
Der, which was the 35th Psalm You must
remember this was the next morning after
we had heard the rumor of the horrible can
nonade at Boston. II seemed as If Hedcen
had ordained that Psalm to be read on that
morning
Aiter this, Mr.. Duche, unexpectedly TO
every body, struck out into an extemporarv
prayer which filled the bosom of every man
present. must confess never heard bet
ter prayer, or one so well pronounced.-
Episcopalan as he lis, DIR. Cooper himself
never prayed with such fervor. such ardorI
such correctness and pathos, and in Ian
guage so elegant and sublime, for America.
loF Congress, for the province of the Massa-
chusetts Bay, especially the town of Boston.
IL has had an excellent effect upon every
body here. must beg you to read that
Psalm. If there is any faith in the series
Virgillanp, or sortes Homerica. or especiaE
" the sortes Biblice, ii would be thought
proyidential." 49,
The 35th Psalm was indeed appropriate
to the news received and the exigencies Of
the times. 1t commences: W iry
PLEAD my cause, o Lord, with them that
strive with me: fight against them that fight
against me.
Take hold of shield and bucker and
stand up for my help. gs
DRAW out also the spear, and stop the
way against them that prosecute me; saw
unto my soul, am thy salvation. -
What subject for contemplation does
the above picture present The "A mem
bers OF the First Congress. in their Hall. all
bent before the mercy seat and asking Him
that their enemies might be as chat before
the wind" Washington was kneelino there
says the Newark Advertiser, and Henry and
Randolph, and Rutledge, and Lee, and jaw.
and 10y their side there stood, bowed in rev.
erence, the Puritan patriots of N. England.
who at that moment had reason TO believe
that an armed soldiery was wasting their
humble households. 1t was believed that
Boston had been bombarded and DESTROYED.
They prayed fervently "for America. for the
Congress, for the province of Massachusetts
Bay, and especially for the town of Boston':n
aud who can realize the emotions with which
they turned implorngly to Heaven for d.
vine interposition and aid? at was
enough" says MIR. Adams, "to melt a heart
OF stone. l saw the tears gush INTO the
eyes OF the old, grave, pacific Quakers of
Philadelphia" 3iti 4. lima