Sunbury American and Shamokin journal. [volume] (Sunbury, Northumberland Co., Pa.) 1840-1848, 1843-07-22
The First Prayer IN Congress,


Ter from John Adams, describing scene in the
first Congress in Philadelphia in September,
IVA shows very clearly on what Power the
mighty men fold rested their cause. Mr.. A.
thus writes to friend at the time
"Whcn the Congress met, Mr.. Gushing
made motion that it should be opened with
prayer II was opposed by Mr.. Jay, of New
York, and Mr.. Rutlegc, of South Carolina, be-
cause we were so divided in religious senti-
ments, some Episcopalians, some Quakers,
some Anabaptists, some Presbytcrans, and
some Cnngrega,ioualsts, that we could not join
in the same net of worship. Mr.. Samuel Adams
arose and said cha, he was no bigot, and could
hear prayer from any gentleman Of piety and
virtue who was at the same time friend to his
country. He wos stranger in Philadelphia,
but had heard that Mr.. Duche, (Dushay they
pronounced it, deserved that character, and
therefore he moved that Mr. Duche, an Epis-
copal clergyman, might be desired to read
prayers 10 the Congress tomorrow morning
The motion was seconded, aud passed in the af
frmativc. Mr.. Randolph, our President, wal
ted on Mr.. Duche, and received for answer, that
| if his health would permit he certainly would
Accordingly, next morning he appeared with
his clerk, and in his pontfcals, and read seve-
| raj prayers in the established form, and then
rend the collect for the seventh day of Septem-
Der, which was the thirty fifth psalm. You
must remember, this was the next morning after
we had heard the rumor Of the horrible canon
ade of Boston. II seemed as If heapcn had or
dained that psalm 10 be- read on thatmorning.
"Attcr this Mr.. Duche, unexpectedly to cve-
ay body, struck out into an extemporary prayer
which filled the bosom ofevery man present. |
must confess | never heard better prayer, or
one so well onounccd.-Episcopalia as lie is,
DR.. Cooper hmselfnever prayed with such fer.
| yer, such ardor, such correctness and pathos,
aud in language so elegant and sublime, for A.
merica, 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 the psalm. II
there is any faith in the sortcs VirgiliaDn ol
sortes lIomcricT, or especially the sortes Bbli
cP, it would be thought providential."
Here was a scene worthy of the painters art
It was in Carpenters Hall in Philadelphia, 9
building which 1--WE learn by a recent article
still survives in its original condition, though
now sacrilegiously converted, we believe, int
an auction mart for the sail of chairs and tables
that the forty four individuals met to whom thi
service was read.
WASHINGTON was kneeling there, and Hen
Ry and RANDOLPH, and RUTLEDGE, and LEE
and JAY, and by their side there stood, bowe
in reverence, the Puritan patriots of New Eng
land, who at that moment had reason to believ
that an armed sodiery was wasting their hum
BILE households II was believed that Bosto
had been bombarded and destroyed The
prayed fervently 'for America, for the Congress:
for the province of Massachusetts Bay, and es
pecially for the town of Boston : and who cal
realize the emotions with which they turne
imploringly to Heaven for divine interposi,io
and aid 1T was enough says Mr. Adams, 't
melt heart of stone | saw the tears gush int
the eyes ofthe old, grave, pacific Quakers
Philadel phia.'-Ncwurk Daily Adr.