hearts of freemen proved the powerful cement of an extensive and indissoluble union.

Forced into war, vast were the difficulties these infant colonies had to encounter ; hard and of long duration were their struggles of liberty. The host of our enemies was numerous, their resources great; they were skilled in military discipline, distinguished for prowess, and led by experienced generals. To this mighty phalanx we were able to oppose only a rustic band collected on the spur of the occasion from the yeomanry of our country, destitute of arms and ammunition, unaccustomed to war and "having no resources but their valour, and no general but their God."

During the first years of this unequal contest, how gloomy and ill-boding was the aspect of our affairs ! Our embarrassments were numerous; our sufferings immense. Our cities were burnt or plundered, our fields covered with dead bodies, and our valleys soaked in blood. Of the flower of our country many fell in battle, many perished in prison-ships, and many became the victims of desolating pestilence. Our frontiers lay naked to the stroke of the tomahawk, and our sea-ports were open to the thunder of British cannon. Surrounded by enemies, alarm succeeded to alarm, and disaster to disaster. In the mean time a paper currency, daily depreciating in its value, excited mutual distrust, suspended in a great measure private intercourse, and even palsied the very energies of government. At this awful crisis when solicitude sat on every countenance, and anxie

ty wrung every heart; when America, like Israel upon the brink of the sea, stood trembling, unable to withstand, and having no refuge from her enemies; then the Almighty appeared for the deliverance of his suffering people. The arm of Omnipotence stretched down from heaven, smote the wave that was overwhelming us it divided; and we passed through into a new world, from which our feet were to return no more into the land of oppression.

Now commenced a new era in the history of America. Her independence was acknowledged by Britain; her triumphs celebrated through the world. This event, tho' it gave a new aspect to our affairs, did not put an end to our trials or embarrassments. The war left us exhausted by exertion, and oppressed with debt. The insufficiency of the old confedera. tion," formed in moments of political enthusiasm, whose bonds were a parchment, and whose commands a request,"* now became manifest. A dark cloud again overspread the horizon of liberty, and every thing boded evil. Discontent under heavy taxation prevailed among individuals. One state was distracted by insurrection, and each pursued a policy peculiar to itself. On every side were jaring interests and clashing claims. The energies of government, already too feeble, were evidently relaxing, the bonds of the union bursting assunder and the whole system tending to dissolution. But he who had led us through the sea did not forsake us in the wilderness. The pillar of divine glory still rested on

* Dr. Dwight's Sermon.

his tabernacle, and the finger of Providence again pointed out the way of safety. The patriots of our country once more assembled, when, guided in their counsels by wisdom from above, they originated and matured the American Constitution, that magnum opus, which hath proved a rock of safety. On which as yet unshaken stands the temple of our liberties.

The framing and adoption of the constitution were events, than which nothing could be more happy in its consequences to us-to man; nor any thing more expressive of the benevolence of Heaven and the su perintending Providence of God. This was the consummation of our wishes; this the answer of our prayers; this put us in a situation to maintain our independence and defend our liberties.

Thus have we been borne as on eagles' wings and sheltered as in the hollow of the Almighty's hand.

From this land of bondage, from which you have escaped; this sea of affliction, through which you have waded; this gloomy desart, where once you wandered, and where many of your fathers and brethren perished turn your eyes--to fields of plenty and a land of peace. For the Lord came down and delivered us up to a good land, and a large; a land similar to that which he gave to his people of old.

The Canaan which the Israelites inherited was distinguished for the healthfulness of its climate, the pleasantness of its situation and the fertility of

its soil. It was a goodly land, a land flowing with milk and honey. Such also is the land which God hath given to our fathers and unto us. It partakes of whatever is excellent, both with respect to soil and climate. 'Its surface, like Judea, is beautifully variegated with hills and vallies, watered with numerous rivers fertilizing as Jordan, and in point of luxuriance and capability of culture it is not inferior to the so much celebrated Canaan of the east.

All the vegetable productions of Europe flourish in some parts of the United States. Here the labours of the husbandman are richly rewarded. The fields now bend beneath their annual tribute. The very cottage overflows with plenty, and the peasant's board is covered with variety.

From our grannaries the islands of the sea are supplied; by our harvests the hungry of many

nations are fed.

The land which the Israelites inherited was not only good, but large, including the places of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hevites, and the Jebusites. So is united America large, extending from the Atlantic to the Missisippi; from the Irroquois to the St. Mary's. A territory greater in extent than Britain, Ireland, France, Portugal, Spain, Germany, Holland, Italy, European Turkey, Hungary, Bohemia, Switzerland and Lithuania. Thousands of townships have: been peopled, and millions of acres cleared, since the revolution.

Multitudes are still penetrating the

regions o the west, and converting the forest into the fruitful field, and yet there is room-room for our own increasing population, and also for the numerous emigrants flocking hither from distant nations.

Was the land of Judea divided amongst its inhabitants? So in this favored country-the cultivator is the proprietor of the soil. "No usurping despot

here fixes his standard and awes Americans into a state of vassalage. No haughty nobility engrosses the soil, and reduces the people to the necessity of starving or submitting to the drudgery of slaves." No; "each man is his own master, walks on his own ground,"* tills his own field, eats the fruit of his own labour, and rests beneath the shade of his own fig-tree.

Did the Israelites enjoy, in the land whither they were brought, the inestimable privilege of worshipping God according to the dictates of their consciences and the precepts of his word? So do Ameri

cans.

In defence of religious liberty many of our ancestors suffered martyrdom. In pursuit of this they left their native country, and fled to the wilderness, where after many struggles they obtained it.

In these United States no civil code binds the conscience; no assuming pontiff dictates to us our faith. Happy, thrice happy land, where religion