Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1855-04-27
MisrelIaufous.
From the New York Observer.

| From the New York Observer
stThe First T'rG yer in COngress.''
An engraving Eeprssensing this striking
scene in American history, graces many
parlors and silently traces false impressions
on many minds. / have met few mt al
together ignorsnt of the singular history Of
the 6rst chaplain Of Congress, who is cen
trsl figure in that picture, and they could
scarcely be made to believe that the Rev.
Jaosb Ducbe, who offered that prayer, could
have played, if not traitors part, yet that
of very dangerous friend. In l777, af-
ter having acted as chaplain to Congress,
%about three months" 'fo general accept
ance, frequently and fervently imploring
heaven te succeed the American cause, -
this " popular Episcopal minister in Phila-
delphis," gave in his resignation. He was
native of tha: city, and educated at the
University of Pennsylvania. Socaptivat-
ing was bis eloquencc, aided by harmo-
nious voice and elegance of person, that he
was considered By many to rival White.
field" He was an active Wing at the COM
mencement of the War, {" and opened the
6rst Congress with prayer at the request
of that body" When Peyton Randolph,
the first President of Congress, died, Mr..
Duche preached his funeral sermon He
also preached "fsst" sermon before Con-
gress, and on another occasion preached
patriotic sermon before battalion of Phil
adeIphia volunteers raised to defend the
country from foreign aggression. These
facts are gathered from Spsrk's Writings of
Washington, and the newspapers of the
day.
In Thacher's Military JOu,nal-a book
very difficult 10 get hold of; It ought to be
epu6lished-under date of December 1777
is found mute containing the identical
" first prayer in Congress" 1t is so stiik-
ing, and stands il such contrast with the
subsequent course of The author, that will
subscribe it entire:
20 Lord, our heavenly Father, high and
mighty King of kings, and Lord of lords,
who dost from thy throne behold all the
dwellers on earth, and reignest with power
supreme and uncontrolled over all kingdoms
and empires and governments! look down
in mercy, we beseech thee, on these Amer
ican States, who have fed to thee from the
rod of the oppressor, and thrown themselves
on thy gracious protection, desiring to be
henceforth dependent only on thee; to thee
have they appealed for the righteousness
Of their cause; to thee DO they now look
up for that countenance and support which
thou alone canst give; take them, therefore,
heavenly Father, under thy nurturing care;
give them wisdom in council, and yalor in
the field; defeat the malicious designs Of
our cruel adversaries /; convince them of
the unrighteousness of their cause; and if
they still persist in their sanguinary purpos-
es, o. let the voice of thine own unerring
justice, sounding in their hearts, constrain
Them TO drop the weapons of war from their
unnerved hands in the day of battle. Be
thou present, o God Of Wisdom, and di-
rect the councils Of this honorable assem-
bly,; enable them to settle things on the
best and surest foundation, that the scene of
blood may be speedily closed, that order,
harmony and peace may be efectually re-
stored, and truth and Justice, religion and
piety, prevail and flourish among thy peo-
pie. Preserve the health Of their bodies,
and the vigor of their minds; shower down
on them and the millions they here repre-
sent, such temporal blessings as thou seest
expedient for them iu this world, and crown
them with everlasting glory in the world to
come. All this we ask in the name and
through the merits of Jesus Christ, thy
Son and our Savior, Amen!"
Admiratlel The Liturgy scarce has
prayer more finely hsrmonized, or one bet
adapted to captivate the ear, than this first
prayer in Congress" Had Duche remain
ed firm like White, that prayer would have
made his name as dear TO the children Of
the men Of '76, as the names of those who
drafted and signed the Declaration. But
the man who offered that prayer was eth
er short-sighted, not comprehending the
nature of that struggle into which the
American colonies were entering, or be was
in uttering beautiful prayer,
drawing nigh to the ''high and mighty King
of kings with his lips only. Or splendid
and admired preacher, be may have been
carried away with the exalted position to
which he was invited. in which he had such
to display the graces of his
which is but another way of
saying be was insincere in his prayer.
Benjamin Franklin, in the brief but ex-
ceedingly beautiful speech which he made
in the Convention for forming the Consti-
tuition, moving "that henceforth prayers
imploring the assistance of heaven, and its
blessings on our deliberations. be held in
this assembly every morning before we pro-