Year: 1861

The Mission of Our Country


1t seems to us that the providence of God


is peculiarly marked in our national history
and progress. In the early settlement of the
country, the Plymouth Colony was the most
prominent. 1t is peculiarly refreshing to
read OF their unaffected piety and trust in
God. This was not developed after their az
rival amid the perils that threatened them in
their wilderness homes, but even prior to the
time they embarked upon the May Flower,
in That great adventure to find home and
country across the trackless ocean, in q land
infested by wandering barbarians. They
committed themselves to God and the keeping
of his watchful providence, with an earnest
ness and sincerity that attested the purity of
their purpose and the strength of their faith.
Their subsequent history already demonstrates
that God was not unmindful of their prayers,
nor indifferent to their safety and prosperity.
1t is also evident that they were not forgetful
Of their purposes and vows, to devote their
energies and interests in an entire consecra-
tion to the service of God. They did not
forget the house Of God, or the requisite
means for intellectual or moral Improvement.
They built the church and the school house,
and lived as though they were not living for
themselves alone, but for God and posterity.


In laying the foundations of this Govern
mcEt, our leading political men did not ap-
parently act from the impulses Of sclfshness
and personal ambition, but with desire that
the sovereign people should inaugurato it,
without any reference to their own person
al aggandizement or promotion, in keeping
with the principles Of the government of God.
In doing the responsible work of rearing the
pillars of State. the Divine blessing was
sought and wisdom invoked. No ono who
carefully looks over that period when our
fathers were passing amid the struggles ard
trials Of the Revolution, can doubt that God
was for us, and by his own hand guided US to
that triumphant issue, so ardeutly sought and
noby won.


6 In order to the completion of the fabric
which God would raise on this continent, for
the admiration and model of the world, an
entire and complete separation FROM the
mother country must take place. He would
have the old nations and civilizations, and
despotisns know, that the nation He had
reared in the American wilds, was capable,
under His leadership, Of selfgovernment.-
No power, nor forms Of power which the
mother country had exercised or initiated
here could remain. We were to be taken
from her leading strings and sent out alone
upon the trial of Independent sef-govcrn.
ment The loyalty Of every colony and the
madness of the home government the con-
tinued petitionings and humiliating memorl-
ais on the one part, and the base reflections
and continually and increased burdens on the
other, attest how God was interested in the
organization Of an independent free govern
ment for U.s. War commenced and ragged
wear before the Declaration of independence
How God was in it all, is seen too in this TACT
For had England SO desired, she might have
saved the colonies during that entire year
Then for seven long years God fought our
battles Tor US, and gained for US our victories
And when the last battle was fought and
victory won, and we were conquerors then,
with an impoverished Country, disbanded
and unpaid soldiery, and thirteen disunlted,
wasted, and somewhat demoralized separate
governments, we were in tht greatest danger
Of our transition state. For, when foreign
officer 10 our army was deputied by the dis
affected to offer Washington the crown which
should make him king, and this Government,
after ALL a despotism, he who was worthy OF
being first in peace, first ii, war, and first
in the hearts of his countrymen, replled, L
cannot conceive what | have DONE during
nv whole lie, which would cause any one to +,
una CINE that could entertain such propo
sition for moment


That our republican form OF government
has been admirably adapted to promote tho
growth of tho country, and develop oar na'
tional resources, none can doubt. We have
already a name and history among the ma
t;ons Sons Of the earth and if by the fruit the
tree is to be known, its stalwort growth and