Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1847-07-29
FOR THE JEFFER soNIAN REPUBLICAN.

FOR THE JEFFER soNIAN REPUBLICAN,.
Having been kindly presented with copy OF
this paper, have resolved to contribute 10 il some
efforts of my pen, should they be thought worthy
of its columns. The following is part of Ser
mon delivered on July 4th, l847, and, if desired,
shall give the remainder in subsequent numbers
of the paper. c. Nj.
TExT--Hebrews H. IA, Is.
Exceedingly great is the interest attached to
this day, IN the hearts Of all present.
First. 1t is the Lords day the day which COM
He " led captivity captive" and showed the pow
ers of earth and hell that He could not be defeat
ed in securing the redemption of sinners.
Second. 1t is day set apart by the professed
worshippers of Jehovah in this church, for cele-
braiing the dying love of Christ, which He mani
tested for His church, on that awful night on
which He was betrayed and
Third. AS American citizens, we hail on this
hallowed day, another anniversary OF the greatest
achievement which, perhaps, the political aoOrld
ever behed-the freedom and independence of a
nation, the wings of whose eagle stretches towards
the poles.
II is impossible to conceive of an accumulation
Of circumstances and ideas more enhancing, more
magnificent, occurring on the self-same day, to
multaneously upon interests, political, spiritual
and eternal. that some arch-angel had the task
to perform Then, would such transcendent
themes be rightly handled. Then, nigh: that
spring in the souls of men. which would set in
motion their complex machinery, be touched By
his latent poacers, and they induced, on day like
the present, to seek their highest, best, eternal
good.
Americans! 1t becomes you to-day, to behold
he of lp1ioh in4v iii
cal and religious existence Not long since, yours
was country partially cultivated and thinly set
tied, without arms, without ammunition, without
soldiers, without money, without anything but
that which is the glory of people-the love of
liberty, and the religion of the Bible. True, the
histories of those times throw this last and best
accomplishment somewhat in the shade The po-
itcal character of the colonists seems most prom
inent upon the historic page, while their religious
charactertis obscured. This is certain result,
when some military or political man Of The sU0rld
is the narrator Of events. The immediate means
employed, and the results achieved are foremost
in the mind of such man while the grand latent
power, which set those means in motion, is forgot
ten. But let us not forget it. 1t becomes US to-
day to keep 1t before our minds. If it is right to
praise for piety then to their praise be it de-
c!ared this day, those who led in the achievement
of American independence lcere men of God.
The sublime and exalted views which they took
of the proper rights of man, were derived from,
and modified by the principles of that religion
which "maketh wise unto salvation" They had
two notices inscribed upon their banner, which
was planted upon these then desolate hills, and
the hosts of embatled tyrants read with confusion
in their hearts, The God Of our Fahers!' ~ and
Liberty or Death!'' Those revered saees too,
who, being driven by religious oppression from
their homes to seek retreat in the wllds of Amer
ica, to worship the God of heaven with untram-
meed consciences, and landed first on Plymouth
Rock, were still fresh in their memories. Well
they might be; for the coloniss were the sons and
grandsons of the Pilgrims. Those principles of
piety which they imbibed with their mothers milk
still filled, warmed and expanded their hearts, and
it was under the influence of these that they were
enabled to steer so nobly, upon the ocean of con-
fiict, that bark which contained the destinies of
this mighty Republic. They were men of God.
God was at the helm of the devoted vessel; what
wonder then, that she moored safely in the port
of peace?
This grand achievement was the consequence
OF something besides simple valour. s He who
setteth up one and putteth down another,,' and
holds the destinies of worlds in his hands, exerted
proyidential care over the colonlsts, and with
such General-in- Chief. well might they resolve
TO lace, even to the cannon's mouth, the naughty
hosts Of Brton my God and ma country,' was
theme which then vibrated upon the strings of
every true Amerlcan's heart; and, although he
might be called to leave the tracks of his bloody
feet upon the snow and ice, and sandy deserts,
yet the love Of these counterbalanced ALL and again
1.-The God of our Fathers" and Liberty or
DEATH" issued fiom his lips with an enthusiasm,
which we at this late day cannot appreciate
That the superintendency of Divine Providence
was exered in behalf of those noble spirits, is ev-
ident from the fact of their suffrages being guided
to the selection of man to lead their ragged
forces TO battle, whose name and fame shall de-
scend to generations not yet born. Were / to
mention his name, every heart would beat with
emotion; but that name is already engraven on ev-
cry memory. A minute history of this wonderful
man is precluded by the sanclity of this day; but
it is already known, or ought to be known, by you
ALL You have dwelt upon that history from your
infant movements; for l, who Of foreign birth
can remember how the tear tIiokled down my in
iant cheek, while sat upon my father knee, and
he told me the mournfu story of the American
revolution. You have perhaps listened TO that
history from The lips of some veteran soldier, who