The Rutland County herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1852-1855, 1854-06-23

a clergyman, wa. constantly associated
with that class cf mcn,
Il was often the case thsi when poll I
iicisns and statesmen were ia doubt as .
to the course TO pursue. that ministers I
settled that doubt. When thu struggle .
IN reference TO the stamp act wa, com. /
ing TO a crisis. Governor Fitch. Of Con.
neeiicut. was we,ering and hating "a Z
TO his course. In ,hsi hour of suspense
very young man came forward before
n meeting Of The Legislature as the de.
cided and fervcnt advocate Of freedom.
lie addressed the leading politicians Of
the Colony be did II from the pplpil
for be was n minister Rev. Mr.. Dana.
His sermon called out the Intent scnti.
ments of many ,imia and wavcriue men,
aud nscd, ns mordan,, the political
opinions Of that Colony. | will not
specify further Il is needless to de.
scend 10 particular, when all are inclu.
ded. will give one other instance
from another and distant part Of the
country. II is now claimed iha, the
Mecklenburg declaration" made at
Charlotte, North Carolina, May 90.
IVA, was the first declaration Of indie.
pendence in the Colonies. That being
true, then il follows that minister of
the Gospel Rev. lIezekiah james
Balch--was the first man in this land
who addressed the first assembly that
passed declaration of Independence I,
for Of the three men who addressed the
people on that occasion, he took the
lead, and was chairman Of the commit
tee that drafted the declaration. In the
midst Of the fearful and doubtful sirug-
gle in 6S8, General Lincoln, of Mass
achuseits, wrote TO General Washing.
ton for his encouragement, and among
other facts, did not deem il below his
notice to speak Of the influence Of the
ministers:
81, Ia fortunate for us that the clergy are
pretty generally with u.s. They have in
the State very great Influence over this
people, and they will contribute much to
the general peace and happiness"
Though the notices of political meet.
ings and the military movements were
given from the pulpit, ministers did moi
generally bear arms in the war Of the
Revolution. 1t was supposed they could
! be OF much more service to the cause
by remaining among their people,
will give, however, very few Of many
and purposely select them from extreme
parts Of the Colonies.
Rev. Mr.. Payson, OF Chelsea, Massa
chuseiis, was very learned, mild, and
discreet, but firm defender Of the moth
er country. But when he saw blooc
shed on the plains of Lexington, callec
for arms, headed party in the attack
routed and captured large compan,
bearing ammunition 10 the invaders -
Many of the troops in the Concord fgh
were young and raw recruits, and seem
ed terrified by the rolling drum an,
moving columns of assailants. In tha
critical moment their pastor, Rev. Mr.
Emerson, the grandfather of Ralpl
Waldo Emerson, passed along lhei
ranks with the exhortaiion "stand b'
your country, and God will bless you.
lie was afterwards chaplain In the ar
my, and returning from western service
was taken sick, died. and was buried il
my native town, Rutland, VT. Re,
Thomas Allen was minister Of Piusield
Massachusetts.
lie, like the great body Of the clerg,
warmly espoused the cause Of the op
pressed Colonies used his utmost ex
ertions 10 push his iownsmen to ih
scene Of the anticipated conflict with th
forces Of Burgoyne. Hearing that the
slackened their pace, he joined them {
quicken their march and soon prescn,e
them TO General Stark. When n
forces were drawn up for the battle {
bennington, be, in the spirit of hi. pre-
iession went alone within speaking al,
ianee Of the forces Of Baum, and be
sought them to yield without bloodshef
lie received in reply a yolley OF mus
ket balls that scattered the log on whie
be stood. lie then called for his enf
fired the frs, shot at the enemy; an
was foremost through the whole Of III
conflict.
After the capture Of Savannah. De,
l77s, the British used every effort
induce soldiers 10 turn traitors 20 fbeI
country, and enlist under George "a .-
All this was unayailing, and the me
we're crowded into the prison ships.
perish with the beat Of the ensuing sun
mer Rev. Moses Allen, who not cor
tent with ronslng bis people from "a
pulpit. had taken up arms, snd on iii
field Of battle. showed his yalor and d
,oiion 10 the independence Of his eour
try.
Bishop Smith, Of South carolial
'houldered his maskei aud made iL
most intrepid resistance
bic people by preeep, and example. %
His exer,ion. were unabais1 tH tai 81
prisoner II the surrender of Chsrlesio'
Rev. Paul Serquari. of 5 Carolin'
was member II the fret Pfosiaei,
Congress, and had great influence ~
legislator and an orator. animaiiag III
people By bic fsrvsnl addresses from ih
pulpit
Rey. Samuel Warren. called 70 Ia
rope NJ The beginning ofihe Kevoluier