Independent Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1842-1844, 1843-07-29
THE FIRST PRAYER IN CONGRESS

in ten years!'
THE FIRST PRAYER IN CONGRESS.
The subioined extract of Characters
tic letter from John Adams, describing a
scene in the first Congress in Philadelphia
in September, l774, shows very clearly
on what Power the mighty men Of old res
ted their cause. MIR. A. thus writes to a
friend at the time:
"When the Congress met, Mr.. Cushing
made motion that it should be opened
with prayer. 1t was opposed by Mr..
Jay, of New York, and Mr.. Rutledge, OF
South Carolina, because we were so divi.
ded in religious sentiments, some Eplsco-
palians, some Quakers, some Anabap.
lists, some Preshyterans, and some Con.
gregationalisis, that we could not join in
| the same act of worship. Mr.. Samuel
Adams rose and said that he was no big
OF and could hear prayer from any gen.
t'eman of piety and virtue who was at the
same time a friend 10 his country. He
was stranger in Philadelphia, but had
heard that Mr.. Duche, (Dushey 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 seconed, and
passed in the affirmative. Mr.. Randolph,
our President, waited on Mr.. Duche, and
received for answer, that il his health
would permit he certainly would. Ac-
cordingIy, next morning he appeared with
his clerk, and in his pontifcals, and read
several prayers in the established form, and
then rend the collect for the seventh day
of September, which was the thirty fifth
psalm. You must remember, this was
The morning after we had heard the ru-
NOR of the horrible cannonade of Boston
II seemed as ifheapen had ordained thai
psalm to be read on that morning.
safer this, Mr.. Duche. Unexpectedly to
every body, struck out into an extempo.
rary PRAYER which filled the bosom of ev-
cry man present. must confess never
heard better prayer, or one so we'll pro-
nounced. Episcopalian as he is, DIR. Coop
er himself never prayed with such fervor
such ardor, such correctness and pathos
and in language so eloquent and sublime
for America, for Congress, for the pro-
vince of the Massachusetts Bay, especial
" the town of Boston. 1t has had an ex
ceIent effect upon every body here.
must beg you TO read the psalm. lfthere
is any faith in the sortes Virgiiane, OIL
sortes Homerice, or especially the sorte'
BibIica, it would be thought providential.
Here was a scene worthy Of the pain
ter's art. 1t was in Carpenters Hall il
Philadelphia, building which 1--WE learr
by recent article) still survives in it
original condition, though now sacrllegi
ously converted, we believe, into an auc
ton mart for the sale Of chairs and tables
that the forty-four individuals met 10 whom
this service was read.
Washington was kneeling there, a.,
Henry, and Randolph, and Rutledgp. an
Lee, and Jay, and by :heir side. ther
stood, bowed in reverence, the puritan D,
triois of New England, '~ho at the M
ment had reason TO bel. We that an arme
soldlery was wastln,z their humble house
holds. 1t was believed that Boston ha
been hambarILed and destroyed. The
prayed teEeently "for America, for Cor
gresS, fer the province of Massachuse't
Bay, and especially for the town of Boz
E toms and who can realize the emotion
with which they turned imploringy
! Heaven for divine interpostion and ali
= It was enough says Mr.. Adams, ito me
G a heart Of stone. saw the tears gush il
n to the eyes of the old, grave, pacific GU
e kers of Philadelphia. Il NerOrk Ddi