28 A Discourse on National Sins: Delivered May 9, 1798 Being the day recommended by the President of the United States to be observed as a day of General Fast By William Linn, D.D. One of the ministers of the Reformed Dutch Church in the City of New York. New York: Printed by T. & J. Swords, No. 99 Pearl-Street, 1798. Linn wrote,
“In the fourth place, that the prevalence of infidelity is a cause of divine judgments. Not many years ago, a professed deist, in this country, was rare. If any doubted, they were ashamed to avow it, and they had so much decency as not to ridicule what the generality of mankind held sacred. But infidelity is now no longer concealed. Its advocates are numerous, and propagate their sentiments with a brazen front. Formerly, some of the most celebrated infidels attacked the Christian religion indirectly; but we have seen it represented as a fable not even cunningly devised, as destructive of morality, and the source of innumerable miseries. We have seen it loaded with all manner of reproach, and a bold attempt made to eradicate it from the earth. From an American press have issued the most horrid blasphemies which have ever been uttered. From an American press issued the first part of the “Age of Reason;” and the second part was re-printed here; a multitude of copies were imported, and circulated with uncommon industry. Surely, if our ports be shut, it should be against such principles as these. Were it possible to lay an embargo on them in the country from which they come, it ought to be done; for they are infinitely more to be dreaded than all the fleets and armies of Europe....”
“Perhaps we may date the growth of infidelity among us, from the entrance of the French army. While they brought us the assistance we desired, and accelerated our independence, they leavened us with ungodliness, and it may yet be said of us, “The strength of Pharaoh shall be your shame, and the trust in the shadow of Egypt your confusion.” Deism and atheism have long been propagated among that people, and at their revolution appeared in full maturity. Their very Clergy, the professed Ministers of the religion of Christ, headed by the Archbishop of Paris, came before the National Convention, and abjured the Christian religion, declaring that they considered it as an imposture. What else but horrid deeds were to be expected from those who gloried in the confession of their hypocrisy? What confidence can be placed in those who defy the Majesty of heaven and earth? ... As to the leading object of Thomas Paine, I have expressed an opinion. It is certain that his principles directly tend to confusion, and every evil work.... To the necessity of religion, President Washington has borne ample testimony, in his most excellent address on his resignation; an address fraught with political wisdom, and which, in matter and manner, is worthy the pen of the greatest philosopher and statesman in the world. “Of all the dispositions and habits,” says he, “which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim the tribute of patriotism, who should labor to subvert these great pillars of human happiness, these firmest props of the duties of men and citizens. The mere politician, equally with the pious man, ought to respect and to cherish them. A volume could not trace all their connections with private and public felicity. Let it simply be asked, where is the security for property, for reputation, for life, if the sense of religious obligation desert the oaths, which are the instruments of investigation in courts of justice? And let us with caution indulge the supposition, that morality can be maintained “without religion.”—If the heathen found their religious institutions and worship absolutely necessary, and highly beneficial, what advantages are to be expected from the profession and influence of the true religion? “There was never found,” says the great Lord Bacon, who may be set against an host of infidels, “in any age of the world, either philosophy, or sect, or religion, which did so highly exalt the public good, as the Christian Faith.”—The French legislators have not satisfied themselves with renouncing revealed religion, but have endeavored to destroy natural religion itself. They have denied the being of God and his providence; that there is any future state of existence; declared death to be an eternal sleep; and set up, no objects of worship, Reason and Liberty.”
29 WGW, vol. 2, 7-20-1758
30 Ibid., vol. 4, 4-29-1776.
31 Ibid., vol. 7, 4-15-1777.
32 Ibid., vol. 11-18-1775.
33 Ibid., vol. 27, 12-12-1783.
34 Ibid., vol. 27, 11-2-1783.
35 Ibid., vol.27, 8-10-1783.
36 Ibid., vol. 26, 6-8-1783.
37 Ibid., vol.27, 8-25-1783.
38 Ibid., vol. 28, 4-10-1785.
39 Ibid., vol. 30, 9-28-1789.
40 Ibid., vol. 30, 10-3-1789.
41 Ibid., vol. 35, 9-19-1796.
42 Ibid., vol. 36, 10-24-1798.
43 Ibid., vol. 37, 1799.
CHAPTER 19
1 WGW, vol. 10, 12-17-1777.
2 This Psalm is indeed remarkable in this historical context. The following selection is taken from The New International Version of the Bible.
1. Contend, O LORD, with those who contend with me;
2. fight against those who fight against me.
3. Take up shield and buckler; arise and come to my aid.
4. Brandish spear and javelin against those who pursue me. Say to my soul, “I am your salvation.”
5. May those who seek my life be disgraced and put to shame; may those who plot my ruin be turned back in dismay.
6. May they be like chaff before the wind, with the angel of the LORD driving them away;
7. may their path be dark and slippery, with the angel of the LORD pursuing them.
8. Since they hid their net for me without cause and without cause dug a pit for me,
9. may ruin overtake them by surprise—may the net they hid entangle them, may they fall into the pit, to their ruin.
10. Then my soul will rejoice in the LORD and delight in his salvation.
11. My whole being will exclaim, “Who is like you, O LORD? You rescue the poor from those too strong for them, the poor and needy from those who rob them.”
3 Cited in Robert Gordon Smith, ed., One Nation Under God: An Anthology for Americans (New York: Funk & Wagnalls, 1961), pp. 39-40. “Sadly for the American cause, Reverend Duché became a loyalist as the City of Philadelphia fell to the British. He wrote a letter calling on Washington to resign and end the war. Duché left for England. But when the War was over, he returned, and ever the gracious gentleman, Washington answered Duché letter indicating that he held no ill will. Duché’s brother-in-law, Francis Hopkinson, signer of the Declaration and designer of the American flag, wrote a letter to Washington when he learned of the letter from Reverend Duché that had called on him to resign and to end the war.” This was Washington’s response. WGW, vol.10, 11-21, 1777. To Francis Hopkinson.
“Sir: I am favoured with yours of the 14th. inclosing a letter for the Reverend Mr. Duché. I will endeavour to forward it to him, but I imagine it will never be permitted to reach his hands.
[WGW, Note: Hopkinson’s letter to Duché, who was his brother-in-law, is dated November 14 and is printed, in part, in Life and Works of Hopkinson, by George E. Hastings (Chicago, 1926): “Words cannot express the Grief and Consternation that wounded my Soul at the sight of this fatal Performance.... I could go thro’ this extraordinary Letter and point out to you the Truth distorted in every leading Part; But the World will doubtless do this with a Severity that must be Daggers to the Sensibilities of your Heart. Read that Letter over again: and, if possible, divest yourself of the Fears and Influences, whatever they were, that induced you to pen it ... you have by a vain and weak Effort attempted the Integrity of one whose Virtue is impregnable to the Assaults of Fear or Flattery; whose Judgment needed not your Information and who, I am sure, would have resigned his Charge the Moment he found it likely to lead him out of the Paths of Virtue and Honour.... And with whom would you have him negotiate. Are they not those who, without the Sanction of any civil, moral or religious Right, have come 3000 Miles to destroy our Peace and Property: to lay waste to your native Country with Fire and Sword and cruelly muther its Inhabitants. Look for their Justice and Honour, in the Gaols of New York and Philada. and in your own Potter’s Field. ...”]
I confess to you, that I was not more surprised than concerned at receiving so extraordinary a Letter from Mr. Duché, of whom I had entertained the most favourable opinion, and I am still willing to suppose, that it was rather dictated by his fears than by his real sentiments; but I very much doubt whether the great numbers of respectable Characters, in the State and Army, on whom he has bestowed the most unprovoked and unmerited abuse will ever attribute it to the same Cause, or forgive the Man who has artfully endeavoured to engage me to Sacrifice them to purchase my own safety.
I never intended to have made the letter more public than by laying it before Congress. I thought this a duty which I owed to myself, for had any accident have happened to the Army intrusted to my command, and it had ever afterwards have appeared that such a letter had been wrote to and received by me, might it not have been said that I had betrayed my Country? and would not such a correspondence, if kept a secret, have given good Grounds for the suspicion?
I thank you for the favourable sentiments which you are pleased to express of me, and I hope no act of mine will ever induce you to alter them.”
4 First Prayer in Congress—Beautiful Reminiscence (Washington, D. C.: Library of Congress); John S. C. Abbot, George Washington (NY: Dodd, Mead & Co., 1875, 1917), p. 187.
5 Consider the following from the pen of a revolutionary soldier: “Our enemy does not knock them on the head, or burn them to death with torches, or flay them alive, or gradually dismember them till they die, which is customary among Savages &Barbarians. No, they are worse by far. They suffer them to starve, to linger out their lives in extreme hunger. One of these poor unhappy men, driven to the last extreme by the rage of hunger, ate his own fingers up to the first joint of his hand, before he died....” John Joseph Stoudt, Ordeal At Valley Forge: A Chronicle Compiled from the Sources (Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press, 1963.) p. 24-25
6 WGW, vol. 3, 8-20-1775. To Lt. Gen. Thomas Gage. “Sir: I addressed you on the 11th. Instant in Terms, which gave the fairest Scope for the Exercise of that Humanity, and Politeness, which were supposed to form a Part of your Character. I remonstrated with you on the unworthy Treatment, shewn to the officers and Citizens of America, whom the Fortune of War, Chance, or a mistaken Confidence, had thrown into your Hands.”
“Whether British or American Mercy, Fortitude, and Patience are most preeminent, whether our virtuous Citizens, whom the Hand of Tyranny has forced into Arms to defend their Wives, their Children, and their Property, or the mercenary Instruments of lawless Domination, avarice and Revenge, best deserve the Appellation of Rebels, and the Punishment of that Cord, which your affected Clemency has forborne to inflict: whether the Authority, under which Fact, is usurped, or founded upon the genuine Principles of Liberty, were altogether foreign to the Subject. I purposely avoided all political Disquisition; nor shall I now avail myself of those Advantages, which the sacred Cause of my Country of Liberty, and human Nature, give me over you.”
7 WGW, vol. 5, 7-7-1776. To Gov. Jonathan Trumbull The Interest of America is now in the Ballance, and it behoves all Attached to her Sacred Cause and the rights of Humanity, to hold forth their Utmost and most speedy Aid. I are Convinced nothing will be wanting in your power to Effect.” WGW, vol. 8, 7-31-1777. To Gov. Jonathan Trumbull. “I sent Genls. Lincoln and Arnold to assist in that Command. These two Gentlemen are esteemed good Officers and, I think very deservedly. I am persuaded, nothing, that their judgements shall direct, will be omitted to stop the Progress of General Burgoyne’s Arms, as far as in them lies — and, I am equally Sure, their personal exertions and Bravery will not be wanting in any instance. Their presence, I trust, will remove every Ground of diffidence and backwardness in the Militia, and that they will go on when and where their Services are demanded, with a Spirit and Resolution becoming Freemen and the Sacred Cause in which they are engaged.”
8 Ibid., vol. 6, 9-4-1776. To Col. Fisher Gay. “Let me therefore not only Command, but exhort you and your Officers, as you regard your Reputation, your Country, and the sacred Cause of Freedom in which you are engaged, to Manly and Vigorous exertions at this time, each striving to excell the other in the respective duties of his department. I trust it is unnecessary for me to add further, and that these and all other Articles of your duty you will execute with a Spirit and punctuallity becoming your Station.”
9 Ibid., vol. 5, 7-10-1776. To The President of Congress.
10 Ibid., vol.11, 4-21-1778, to John Banister.
11 The Congressional thanksgiving Proclamation states: Ibid., vol. 10, 11-30-1777. General Orders. “Forasmuch as it is the indispensible duty of all men, to adore the superintending providence of Almighty God; to acknowledge with gratitude their obligations to him for benefits received, and to implore such further blessings as they stand in need of; and it having pleased him in his abundant mercy, not only to continue to us the innumerable bounties of his common providence, but also, to smile upon us in the prosecution of a just and necessary war, for the defence of our unalienable rights and liberties.
It is therefore recommended by Congress, that Thursday the 18th. day of December next be set apart for Solemn Thanksgiving and Praise; that at one time, and with one voice, the good people may express the grateful feelings of their hearts, and consecrate themselves to the service of their divine benefactor; and that, together with their sincere acknowledgements and offerings they may join the penitent confession of their sins; and supplications for such further blessings as they stand in need of. The Chaplains will properly notice this recommendation, that the day of thanksgiving may be duly observed in the army, agreeably to the intentions of Congress.
12 Ibid., vol. 10, 12-17-1777. General Orders. Head Quarters, at the Gulph. “The Commander in Chief with the highest satisfaction expresses his thanks to the officers and soldiers for the fortitude and patience with which they have sustained the fatigues of the Campaign. Altho’ in some instances we unfortunately failed, yet upon the whole Heaven hath smiled on our Arms and crowned them with signal success; and we may upon the best grounds conclude, that by a spirited continuance of the measures necessary for our defence we shall finally obtain the end of our Warfare, Independence, Liberty and Peace. These are blessings worth contending for at every hazard. But we hazard nothing. The power of America alone, duly exerted, would have nothing to dread from the force of Britain. Yet we stand not wholly upon our ground. France yields us every aid we ask, and there are reasons to believe the period is not very distant, when she will take a more active part, by declaring war against the British Crown. Every motive therefore, irresistably urges us, nay commands us, to a firm and manly perseverance in our opposition to our cruel oppressors, to slight difficulties, endure hardships, and contemn every danger. The General ardently wishes it were now in his power, to conduct the troops into the best winter quarters. But where are these to be found? Should we retire to the interior parts of the State, we should find them crowded with virtuous citizens, who, sacrificing their all, have left Philadelphia, and fled thither for protection. To their distresses humanity forbids us to add. This is not all, we should leave a vast extent of fertile country to be despoiled and ravaged by the enemy, from which they would draw vast supplies, and where many of our firm friends would be exposed to all the miseries of the most insulting and wanton depredation. A train of evils might be enumerated, but these will suffice. These considerations make it indispensibly necessary for the army to take such a position, as will enable it most effectually to prevent distress and to give the most extensive security; and in that position we must make ourselves the best shelter in our power. With activity and diligence Huts may be erected that will be warm and dry. In these the troops will be compact, more secure against surprises than if in a divided state and at hand to protect the country. These cogent reasons have determined the General to take post in the neighbourhood of this camp; and influenced by them, he persuades himself, that the officers and soldiers, with one heart, and one mind, will resolve to surmount every difficulty, with a fortitude and patience, becoming their profession, and the sacred cause in which they are engaged. He himself will share in the hardship, and partake of every inconvenience. To morrow being the day set apart by the Honorable Congress for public Thanksgiving and Praise; and duty calling us devoutely to express our grateful acknowledgements to God for the manifold blessings he has granted us. The General directs that the army remain in it’s present quarters, and that the Chaplains perform divine service with their several Corps and brigades. And earnestly exhorts, all officers and soldiers, whose absence is not indispensibly necessary, to attend with reverence the solemnities of the day.”
13 We considered a portion of that sermon in the earlier chapter on Washington’s spirituality.
