Year: 1861

we shall succeed in this political building no
better than the builders at Babel; we shall be
divided by our little, partial, local interests |;
our projects will be confounded, and we our
selves shall become a reproach and by-word
down to future ages. And what is worse, man.
kind may hereafter from this unfortunate in
stance, despair of establishing government
by human wisdom, and leave it to chance,
war and conquest"


At the close of this address this able states.
man introduced resolution providing that
prayers, implorng the assistance of Heaven,
and its blessing on their deliberations, should
be held in the assembly every morning before
proceeding to business. youthful member
of the Convention objected to the motion, and
expressed his entire confidence in the wisdom
of the Convention and its ability to discharge
its duties without calling in foreign aid.
Washington, who was president of the Con-
vention, gave him a look which closed his
lips, no one deigned to reply, and the reSolu-
tion was adopted without a dissenting voice.
The happy effects were soon felt; animosities
subsidized, and spirit of mutual concession
and compr omise pervaded the assembly, and
now we are enjoying the happy results.


Thus our political city, in which we have so
long dwelt in peace, was built under Gods su
perintendiDg providence and now it aust be


preserved, if preserved at all, under the same


experimenting care. We do no,c need Gods
help. We are surrounded with dangers of no
ordinary character, the full extent of which
we may not be able at present to estimate.
But it may be we'll to look for moment at
some of the calamities that may come upon us,
if God does not interpose, and Thus stir up our
hearts to greater earneStneSs in pray er for his
help.


We have, under the blessing of God, en-
joyed high degree of prosperity. Not only
has the nation increased with amazing rapidty
in power and influence among the other ma
tons of the earth, but the happiness of the Cit
izens has also kept pace with our national
prosperity. The star-spangled banner protects
them abroad in every civilized nation, and the
| constitution shields them at home. But now
it is threatened that this honored banner shall
be torn down, and that this constitution, the


shield of our safety, shall be cast away. And


who can predict the results of such suicidal
conduct? 1t is not to be concealed that the
| dissolution of this government may lead to a
civil war of the most disastrous character.
The patriot cannot contemplate such an event
without dismay. His very heart sickens at
the prospect. He sees fathers hands reek-
ing with brothers. blood; happy families des-
olated, and national prosperity destroyed. 1t
was said of old, "When Greek meets Greek


then comes the tug OF war;" But American
citizens, whether inhabiting the North or the
South, the East or the West, are as brave and
determined as were the Greeks, aud if once
fully involved in bloody strife, it would he of
fearful character.


But the Christian, from his more elevated


standpoint, sees still more widely spread
devastation. The great interests of Gods
church are deeply involved in the veal or woe
of this nation. We know, indeed, that God
will take care of his church, yet if we defile
her with our sins, he may find it necessary to
lead her through fire and blood for her purif-
cation. O.! how many precious interests of
G ri pr N q
the continued prosperity of Gods Zion in
this hitherto prosperous land ,and consequently
in the preservation of the unity of this nation.
II q statesman dreaded the effects, on man
kind, of discord in the Convention that franz
ed our national Constitution, how much more
should we fear the evil that must result to


prosperity from the dissolution of this great
Republic. and the civil war that may attend
it 1<s But suppose the dissolution accomplish
ed peacefully, and seperate governments for
the North, and for the South fully Inaugural
ted, still it would result in many and serious
disadvantages. Each government would re-
quire IL the machinery that now belongs to
the one. There must be officers at home, and
ambassadors abroad, there must be navies and
armies, and in all probability these armies
would increase in magnitude, because of the
contiguity of the two nations, till they would
compare with those which are now crushing
weight upon the inhabitants of the old world.
All this might be acceptable to demagogues
who are seeking Office, but not to the people
who must bear the burden and who even now
sometim es complain Of heavy taxation. And
after all there would be guarantee for the
continuance of peace. Causes OF war might
spring up suddenly and involve us in all its
horrors. We know not what we do when we
suffer the bonds of brotherly love to be dis
solved, and feelings of hostility to increase
and deepen in our hearts. We act the part
n 1ad ms xyho yUa n 6icr0n ard ncti I'm
tional obligations, and talk of disunion and
war. We should study those things which
make for peace. and send up our united pray
ers to God for his help. Thus far the counsels
of men give no promise of deliverance from
the impending danger. The wisdom Of our
rulers aud legislators is at fault; they are di-
vided in counsel and undecided in action,
whilst the people look on in amazement. To
whom then should we 60 in this hour of our
extremity but to God Unless he interposes,
we verify believe, the rulers and wise men of
the nation will watch in vain. Some believe
that even now we are past help, that the fate
of the nation is sealed.


We cannot tell what God may do. He suf-
fered his people Israel to divide, and war to-
gether, till the ten tribes lost their nationality,
and he may punish with division. But if
he sees good to interpose 1t is not too late.
1t is dishonorable to God to doubt his ability,
and if we doubt we cannot ask in faith. We
must banish the thought. Mans extremity is
never so great that God cannot help him. 1t
was not too late to help the ISraelites at the
Red Sea. it was not too late to save Jonah
though emboweled in the fish, and buried in
the waters OF the mighty deep; it was not too
late to save Nineveh when the inhabitants pros
trated themselves in the dust, though the di-
vine Judgment was but forty days distant; 1t
was not too late for the Saviour to bring glad
ness to the sorrowing heart OF the widow of
Main, though she was following to the silent