323 
 
 Mr 
 

 * 
 
 M; 
 
 X, 
 
. 
 
 ,>".*" 
 
 
 DQCTOR MORSE's 
 
 National Fajt Difcourfe^ 
 
SERMON, 
 
 EXHIBITING 
 
 THE PRESENT DANGERS, AND CONSEQUENT 
 
 DUTIES OF THE CITIZENS OF THE 
 
 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 
 
 DELIVERED AT CHARLESTOWN, APRIL 25, 1799. 
 
 THE BAY OF THE 
 
 NATIONAL FAST, 
 
 By JEDIDIAH MORSE, D. D. 
 
 Paftor of the Church in Charleftown, 
 
 PUBLISHED AT THE REQUEST OF THE HEARERS. 
 
 and Sold by SAMUEL ETHER1DGE, next door to Warren-Tavern. 
 
 1799. 
 

PREFACE. 
 
 1 H E apprehenfion that fome parts of the following Difcourfe may 
 have drawn upon its Author the cenfirre of fome for whom he feels 
 affeftion, has operated with him as one inducement, among others, to 
 permit it to be made more public* He cannot but hope that a cool, 
 deliberate perufal of it, and a confederation, at the fame time, of the 
 interefting nature of the facls therein related, and the deep impreffion 
 they muft have made on the fpeaker's piind, who had contemplated 
 them in all their diftreffing confequences to his religion and country, 
 will effectually efface all unfavourable impreffions, and produce con- 
 yi&ion that his zeal was honeft, feafonableand well founded. 
 
 IT muft appear ftrange to a man who has impartially marked the 
 career of abominations which the French government have purfued 
 for feveral years part, that they fhould itill find advocates among fome 
 Americans, who in the eye of charity are conf;dered as fincere in their 
 profeffion of Chrifttanity. Mod willingly would the Author invent, for 
 any fuch among his Chriflian Brethren, apologies which may in fome 
 degree excufe, though they can never juftify, their encouraging the 
 enemies of GOP and religion. It is not difficult to conceive that fome 
 perfons of this defcription may yet pofiefs honed and good hearts. It 
 ihould neverthelefs be remembered, that the mod virtuous propeniities 
 of our nature, when mifguided by prejudice, paffion, and mifreprefen- 
 tation of fafts, fometimes degenerate into the moft dangerous vices. 
 Of this nature is the attachment which fome among us continue to 
 cherifh for the French Revolutiqnifis. This originated in gratitude 
 for benefits conferred by the French Monarchy ; and gratitude cannot 
 thrive in a cold, ungenerous foil. Good wifhes to the French had be- 
 come habitual in the bofoms of Americans. And no one felt them 
 more ftrongly than the Author of the following Difcourfe, till he be- 
 came acquainted with the hiflory of their perfidies ; till their crimes 
 roufed his indignation, and confcience forbad that he fhould look with 
 partiality on theprofefTed enemies of GOD, and the infidious deftrojers 
 of men. Thofe who Were in fituations moft favourable for early dif- 
 covering the atrocity of the French rulers, perhaps once looked on him 
 with the fame mixture of wonder and compaffion, with which he now 
 regards thofe of his Chriflian friends, whofe prejudices and want of in- 
 formation, even now inflame them with honeft, mifguided zeal in the 
 
 M180774 
 
IV PREFACE. 
 
 caufe of the French Revolutionifls. He flatters himfelf, however, that 
 he did not obftinately refufe information, and fhut his eyes againft the 
 light ; that he did not fuffer his refentment againft the Britlfli nation 
 for injuries fuftained during oar Revolutionary war, to lead him to 
 fupport the revilers of GOD, becaufe they were alfo the foes of Britain, 
 It is to be feared that there are fome among us, and even Chriftians 
 too, who cannot fay thus. But it ought to befol^nly remembered 
 that we are accountable to GOD for the ufe and improvement we make 
 of our underftanding ; that errors are excufable, only when the means 
 of information cannot be enjoyed j and that a chriflian who refufes to 
 hear and read with candour, and to examine with care and diligence, 
 and in confequence of ftich refufal, ignorantly adheres to the caufe of 
 injuftice and irreligion, and thereby aids in deflroying chriflian piety 
 and human happinefs, commits aggravated fin againft GOD, and does 
 terrible injury to men. 
 
 WITH thefe impreflions the Author thought it his duty to paint 
 ftpongly the atrocities of the French Revolutionifls -, to labour if poffi- 
 bleto arrefl the attention of the people to whom he minifters, whofe 
 welfare he has deeply at heart, and to lead them to ferious, candid, and 
 folemn inquiry. He confefies that his own fears, in view of the wonder- 
 ful prevalence of licentious principles, and the open and fecret attacks 
 too fuccefsfully made on our holy religion, are thoroughly alarmed} 
 and he conceived the only profpefl of effecting our falvation, fo far as 
 depends on ourfelves, was to alarm the fears of others, and thus roufe 
 them to an induflrious ufe of the means of felf prefervation. Under 
 thefe 5mpreffions,and with this intention, hecompofed and delivered his 
 difcourfe ; and he believes that events will in a very fhort time evince, 
 that he has not founded either an undue or nnfeafonable alarm. If in 
 the honeft and faithful difcharge of his duty, he fhail have loft fome of 
 liis worldly friends, (which however, he does not believe) or fhall have 
 even made to himfelf fome unreafonable enemies, he feels confcious that 
 lie has incurred thefe temporary evils in the line of his duty, and he 
 will endeavour to bear them with a becoming fortitude. 
 
 To thofe who are offended at the plain declaration of the truth, he 
 will fay with PETER and JOHN, when commanded not to (peak, 
 WHETHER IT BE RIGHT IN THE SIGHT OF COD, TO HEARKEN UNTQ 
 
 YOU MORE THAN UNTO C&D, JUDGE YE." 
 
A SERMON,^. 
 
 
 PSALM XL 3. 
 
 THE FOUNDATIONS BE DESTROTED, WHAT CAN THE 
 RIGHTEOUS DO ? 
 
 HE hiftory of David, of his fins, of his con- 
 fequent afflictions, and of his behaviour under 
 them, was written and tranfmitted down to us in 
 the volume of Sacred Scripture, for our warning, 
 inftruction, and confolation. The perfonal trials 
 and fufferings of David, in many inftances refemble, 
 and were intended to prefigure, thofe of the 
 Church ; and fhe accordingly often ufes his lan- 
 guage to exprefs her condition, her complaints, 
 and her refolutions. The enemies of David, of 
 Chr'ift his Antitype, and of the Church, have ever 
 poffefled fimilar difpofitions, have had in view fim- 
 ilar defignS) and in like circumftances, have adopted 
 and purfued the fame means of gratifying the 
 former ', and of accomplishing the latter. It is no 
 lefs our wifdom than our duty to learn from the 
 experience of others. 
 
 THE pfalm from which we have feledted the 
 text, feems peculiarly adapted to warn, inftruct. 
 
and comfort us in the prcfent times of ferious 
 alarm and of real danger. It was compofed by 
 David, while he ivas in great peril and diftrefs 
 from the perfecuting hand of Saul. It contains a 
 recital of the advice which he appears to have re- 
 ceived from fome of his friends, or thofe about 
 him, to flee and hide himfelf from the deftrudive 
 fnares of his enemies ; and alfo of the reafons on 
 which they founded their advice ; and a declara- 
 tion of his own determination, and of the ftrong 
 grounds of his hope, confolation, and encourage- 
 ment. In consideration of the number, the malig- 
 nity, the fecret artifices, the perfeverance, and 
 fucccfs of his enemies, he is urged by thofe about 
 him, to give up all further oppofition to them as 
 unavailing, and to retreat to fome cave in the lonely 
 mountain. How fay ye to my foul, faith David to 
 his advifers, .flee as a bird to the mountain? For 
 lo y the wicked bend their bow ; they make ready their 
 arrow upon tbejh'ong, that they may .privily Jhoot at 
 the upright in heart* The enemies of David 
 are here reprefented truly, no doubt, as wicked 
 and infidious ; as fecretly machinating plots to 
 deilroy both his character and his life ; and as 
 ejetfting their poifoned arrows in the dark, fo as to 
 prevent his guarding againft their effects. Who- 
 ever will be at the pains to read the hiftory of 
 Saul's perfccution of David, will be convinced of 
 the accuracy of the foregoing reprefentation, 
 THE words of the text, which immediately fpl-? 
 
 * Pfalmxi, 1,2. 
 
low the laft recited verfe, may be confidered as a 
 further defcription of the real ftate of things, de- 
 figned effedually to difcourage and difluade David 
 from making any further efforts to fave his finking 
 country. If the foundations be dejtroyed* <what can 
 the righteous do? If RELIGION and GOVERN- 
 MENT, the foundations here meant, be fubverted 
 and overthrown, what could the beft of men, how- 
 ever righteous their caufe, hope to do to any good 
 effed: in fuch a ftate of things ? There appears to 
 be a plaufibility in this reaibning. Few men, fit- 
 uated like David, could have withftood its force, 
 He beheld his country torn with inteftine divifions ; 
 he faw hatred and violence prevailing ; confidence 
 between man and man destroyed ; treacheries com- 
 mon ; government and laws defpifed and trampled 
 upon ; religion negleded, and its holy precepts 
 contemned; its moft worthy and faithful minif- 
 ters, not only flighted, but four fcore and five of 
 them at one time, cruelly maffacred by the ex- 
 prefs order of the king ;* in a word, he beheld the 
 foundations of religion and government in a ftate 
 of rapid decay, and could not but have prefaged 
 their fpeedy and utter fubverfion, if not prevented 
 by a timely reverfe of circumftances. Not only 
 was the ftate of his country, as to its government 
 and religion, gloomy and diftrefTmg, his perfonal 
 condition alfo, was extremely painful and hazard- 
 ous. He knew that Saulfe cretly praflifed mif chief 
 tigainft him ; that he hunted his foul to take it ; 
 
 * i Sam. xxii. 17, 18. 
 
8 
 
 that his fecret emiffaries watched all his move- 
 ments, and that Saul was kept conftantly informed 
 of them. He knew alfo that his friends were afraid 
 to proted: him. , Trying indeed muft have been 
 the fituation of David ; and Chriftians, at the 
 prefent time, whofe views and feelings in refpedl 
 lo their religion and country bear Jrefemblance to 
 thofe of the pious and afflided Pfalmift, muft be 
 anxious to know how he conducted, tie did 
 " not, at the inftigation of thofe about him, like 
 *' a poor, timorous bird, either fly for refuge to 
 " the devices of worldly wifdom ; nor did he de- 
 *' fert his poft, and retire into folitude," fo long as 
 he could be of fervice to the caufe of GOD or of 
 his country. No, at the period of his deepeft dif- 
 trefs, when affairs feemed to be in a defperate fitu- 
 ation, he encouraged himfelf in the Lord his God* 
 In the Lord, faid he, put I my truft. The Lord 
 is in his holy temple ; the Lord's throne is in the 
 'heaven. His eyes behold* and his eyelids try the 
 children of men. The Lord trieth the righteous ; 
 but the wicked and him that lovetb violence, his foul 
 hateth. Upon the wicked fhall he rain fnares y or 
 burning coals, fire andbrimjlone and an horrible tern- 
 pejl ; thisjhallbe the portion of their cup. For the 
 righteous LORD loveth righteoufnefs ; his counte- 
 nance doth behold the upright.^ 
 
 THESE fublimeand juft fentiments, concerning 
 GOD and the righteoufnefs of his government, 
 
 * i Sam. xxx. 6i \ Pfalmxi. i. 4, 5> 6, 7. 
 
confoled and fupported the mind of David, under 
 the preflure of his woes, and animated him to a 
 holy zeal, diligence, and perfeverance in defending 
 and promoting the precious interefts of his religion 
 and his country. My brethren, may the fame 
 truths have a like effect on our hearts and conduct 
 at the prefent time. To this purpofe let me in- 
 vite you to confidcr, 
 
 I. OUR PRESENT DANGERS. 
 II. OUR CONSEQUENT DUTIES. 
 
 THAT our prefent fituation is uncommonly 
 critical and perilous, all perfons of reflection 
 agree, though opinions greatly vary as to the 
 fources and degrees of our danger. With all the 
 franknefs and plainnefs becoming an honeft and 
 faithful watchman, I intend, my brethren, to lay 
 before you what I humbly conceive to be our real 
 and moft alarming dangers j thofe which have a 
 malign afpect, both on our religious and our politi- 
 cal welfare. Believing, as I firmly do, that the 
 foundations of all our mojl precious interefls are 
 formidably aflailed, and that the fubtil and fecret 
 affailants are increafing in number, and are multi- 
 plying, varying, and arranging their means of at- 
 tack, it would be criminal in me to be filent. I 
 am compelled to found the alarm, and I will do it, 
 fo far as GOD fhall enable me, with fidelity. I 
 fear that holy BEING, who faid to one of his an** 
 cient prophets, and who through him addrefles the 
 fame language to the fucceflive Minifters of his 
 
 B 
 
1O 
 
 'Word , Son of man I have made thee a watchman unto 
 the houfe of Ifrael ; therefore hear the word at my 
 month y and give them warning from me. When I 
 fay unto the wicked, Tthoujhalt furely die ; and thou 
 gtvejt him no-t warning, nor fpeakeji to warn the 
 wicked from his wicked way, to fave his life ; the 
 fame wicked man Jhall die in his iniquity ; but his 
 Hood will I require at thine hand. Yet if thou warn 
 the wicked, and he turn not from his wickednefs? 
 norjrom his wicked way, he foal! die in his iniquity ; 
 but thou haft delivered thy foul.* 
 
 IT is not my intention to give offence to any 
 one, unlefs the truth fliall offend ; and the Ihort 
 lived and honourable reproach of fuch offences, I 
 am willing to bear. Thofe whofe opinions, re- 
 ligious or political, may not exadtly coincide with 
 my own, will do me the juftice to believe that I 
 mean not to wound their feelings, and that I am as 
 honefl in maintaining my own opinions as they 
 can be in theirs ; and that a fenfe of duty only* 
 in the public flation which I hold under GOD, 
 prompts me at this time freely to declare them. 
 After thefe obfervations, which I have thought 
 proper to premife, I proceed to lay before you, 
 what I conceive to be our prefent moft threatening 
 dangers. 
 
 OUR dangers are of two kinds, thofe which af~ 
 fed our religion, and thofe which affed our gov- 
 ernment. They are, however, fo clofely allied 
 
 * Faek. iii. 17, 18, 19. 
 
II 
 
 that they cannot, with propriety, be feparated. 
 The foundations which fupport the interefts of 
 Christianity, are alfo neceifary to fupport a free 
 and equal government like our own. In all thofe 
 countries where there is little or no religion, or a 
 very grofs and corrupt on^, as in Mahometan and 
 Fagan countries, there you will find, with fcarcely 
 a fingle exception, arbitrary and tyrannical gov- 
 ernments, grofs ignorance and wickednefs, and de- 
 plorable wretchednefs among the people. To the 
 kindly influence of Chriftianity we owe that de- 
 gree of civil freedom, and political and focial hap- 
 pinefs which mankind now enjoy. In proportion 
 as the genuine effects of Chriftianity are diminished 
 in any nation, either through unbelief, or the cor- 
 ruption of its doftrines, or the negled: of its infti- 
 tutions ; in the fame proportion will the people of 
 that nation recede from the bleffings of genuine 
 freedom, and approximate the miferies of complete 
 defpotifm. I hold this to be a truth confirmed 
 by experience. If fo, it follows, that air efforts 
 made to deftroy the foundations of our holy 
 religion, ultimately tend to the fubverfion alfo of 
 our political freedom and happinefs. Whenever 
 the pillars of Chriftianity mall be overthrown, 
 our prefent republican forms of government, and 
 all the bleffings which flow from them, muft fall 
 with tbem. 
 
 FROM thefe obfervations we may perceive.the 
 propriety of the following paftage in the Prefi- 
 dent's excellent proclamation, which comprises and 
 
exprefTes our dangers of both kinds mentioned, 
 viz. that the mo/1 precious inter efts of the people of 
 the United States are Jiill held in jeopardy , by the 
 hojlile defgns and injidious arts of a foreign nation , 
 as well as by the dijfemination among them of tbofe 
 principles, fubverfive of the foundations of all retig- 
 ious, moral, and focial obligations, that have prt>- 
 duced incalculable mif chief and mifery in other 
 countries. 
 
 THIS pafTage contains folemn and affecting 
 truths, which merit our principal, our immediate, 
 and deep regard. The violent oppofltion that has 
 been made to this article in fome of our News pa- 
 pers, is among the ftrongeft proofs that it con- 
 tains an accurate flatement of our dangers. The 
 puWic difclofure of the dark defigns of our ene- 
 mies, always excites their refentment. Yes, my 
 brethren, it is a facred truth, that our moft pre- 
 cious religious and political interefts are at this 
 moment imminently endangered, by the hojlile 
 dejigns, the injidious arts and demoralizing princi- 
 ples of a FOREIGN NATION ; and I plainly de- 
 clare to you that I mean the FRENCH NATION. 
 
 Do you afk for proofs of all this ? They are fo 
 abundant, and fo flagrant, that I fcarcely know 
 which to feled. To fay nothing of their long 
 continued, and very fuccefsful war upon our de- 
 fencelefs commerce, becaufe this is well known to 
 all, and is not altogether peculiar to the French 
 nation, I pray you to confider their inhuman and, 
 in fome inflances, worfe than favage treatment of 
 
Jl 
 
 thofe of our fellow citizens who have fallen into 
 their hands. They have not only wreiled from 
 them their property, but have in many inftances 
 groflly infulted, beaten, and wounded them, and 
 thruft them into loathfome prifons and dungeons, 
 where multitudes have perifhed by difeafe or hun- 
 ger. Nay worfe, to all their other enormities, 
 thefe monfters in human form, have added mur- 
 der, the moft Ihocking murder. Recent intelli- 
 gence from the Weft-Indies, which has obtained 
 general credit is, that one of our merchant fhips 
 has been taken by feveral French privateers, and 
 the prifoners, (five or fix excepted) confifting of 
 70 fouls, all immediately put to the fword, by 
 the blood thirfty vidiors.* 
 
 IF thefe things are inefficient to evince the hof- 
 tile defigns of France towards this country, let me 
 afk your attention to the following fad:, not gene- 
 rally known, and which I ftate from authority on 
 which full reliance may be placed. " Some time 
 " ago the French Directory fent to St. Domingo, 
 "their principal Weft-India pofleffion, an agent 
 " of the name of Hedouville. This man on his 
 " arrival, you may recoiled:, made fome profef- 
 " fions of juftice and amicable condud: towards 
 *' the United States ; he notwithftanding foon 
 " equalled his predecefTors in depredations on our 
 *' commerce. Laft fummcr, while Mr. GERRY 
 
 * This intelligence has fince received full confirmation. 
 
" was ftill in Paris, and the Directory was ftill em* 
 " ploying every artifice to keep him there and to 
 " draw him into an endlefs negociation, Hedou- 
 " ville was preparing to invade the Southern States 
 " from St. Domingo with an army of blacks ; 
 " which was to be landed with a large fupply 
 " of officers, arms and amunition, to excite an 
 " infurreflion among the negroes, by means of 
 ' miffionaries previoufly fent, and firft to fubju- 
 "gate the country by their affiftance, and then 
 " plunder and lay it wafte. For the execution 
 " of this fcheme, he waited only till the Englilh 
 " fhould evacuate a certain port in the Ifland, 
 " which lay moft convenient for the expedition. 
 " But he was interrupted by a black general by 
 " the name of Touiflant, who drove him from the 
 " liland, compelled him to embark for France, 
 " and took the authority into his own hands. "* 
 
 THIS intelligence comes through a channel 
 which entitles it to credit. And it inftrucSs us 
 how to underftand the pacific profeflions and 
 overtures of the French Government ; and clearly 
 proves, what has long been believed by fome, 
 that they have been, and ftill are, defigned only to 
 veil the hoftile and deteftable defigns of this Gov- 
 ernment againft us ; to lull us into a fatal fecurity, 
 that we, in due time, may fall an eafy prey to their 
 ambition and avarice. This is the way they have 
 
 * See note (A.) 
 
conquered other countries ; and thus they are now 
 attempting to deftroy us. And, my brethren, 
 they will affuredly efteft their purpofes, if we are 
 notfpeedt'fy aroufed from our {lumbers, and vigor- 
 ous, adlive, and united in oppofing their infidious 
 and feduftive arts. It was her flumber and her 
 divifions, both effected by French " diplomatic 
 Ikill," which ruined Switzerland.* 
 
 THAT fuch arts are now pradtifing upon us 
 there is no room to doubt. It has long been fuf- 
 pedted that fecret focieties, under the influence 
 and direction of France, holding principles fub- 
 verfive of our religion and government, exiited 
 fomewhere in this country. This fufpicion was 
 cautioufly fuggefted from this defk, on the day of 
 the laft National Faft, with a view to excite a juft 
 alarm, and to put you on your guard againft 
 their fecret artifices. Evidence that this fufpicion 
 was well founded, has iince been accumulating, 
 and I have now in my pofleffion complete and 
 indubitable proof that fuch focieties do exift, and 
 have for many years exifted, in the United States. 
 I have, my brethren, an official, authenticated liil 
 of the names, ages, places of nativity, profeffions, 
 &c. of the officers and members of a Society of 
 Iltuminati, (or as they are now more generally 
 and properly ftyled Illuminees) confifting of one 
 hundred members, inftituted in Virginia, by the 
 
 * See Mallet Du Pan's " Hift. of the DeftrucUon of the Helvetic 
 Union ;" a work, which every American ought to read, with application 
 to his own country. 
 
i6 
 
 Grand Orient of FRANCE, This fociety has a 
 deputy, whofe name is on the lift, who refides at 
 the Mother Society in France, to communicate 
 from thence all needful information and inftruc- 
 tion. The date of their inftitution is 1786, be- 
 fore which period, it appears from the private pa- 
 pers of the European Societies already publifhed, 
 (according to PROFESSOR ROBISON) that feveral 
 focieties had been eftablifhed in America,* The 
 feal and motto of this fociety correfpond with their 
 deteftable principles and defigns. The members 
 are chiefly Emigrants .from France and St. Do- 
 mingo, with the addition of a few Americans, 
 and fome from almoft all the nations of Europe. 
 A letter which enclofed this lift, an authentic copy 
 of which I alfo poflefs, contains evidence of the 
 exiftence of a fociety of the like nature, and pro- 
 bably of more ancient date, at New-York , out of 
 which have fprung fourteen others, fcattered we 
 know not where over the United States. Two 
 focieties of the fame kind, but of an inferior order, 
 have been inftituted by the fociety firft mentioned, 
 one in Virginia, and the other at St. Domingo. 
 How many of equal rank they have eftablifhed 
 among us I am not informed. -f* 
 
 You will perceive, my brethren, from this con- 
 cife ftatement of fads, that we have in truth fe- 
 cret enemies, not a few, fcattered through our 
 
 * Robifon's Proofs, p, 153. Phila. Edit, f See Note (B.) 
 
I? 
 
 country ; how many and, except in three or four 
 inftances, in what places we know not ; enemies 
 whofe profeffed defign is to fubvert and overturn 
 our holy religion and our free and excellent gov- 
 ernment. And the pernicious fruits of their in- 
 fidious and fecret efforts, muft be vifible to every 
 eye not obftinately clofed or blinded by prejudice. 
 Among thefe fruits may be reckoned our un- 
 happy and threatening political divifions ; the un- 
 ceafing abufe of our wife and faithful rulers ; the 
 virulent oppofition to fome of the laws of our 
 country, and the meafures of the Supreme Ex- 
 ecutive ; the Pennfylvania infurrediion ; the in- 
 duftrious circulation of baneful and corrupting 
 books, and the confequent wonderful fpread of in- 
 fidelity, impiety and immorality ; the arts made 
 ufe of to revive ancient prejudices, and cherifli 
 party fpirit, by concealing or difguifing the truth, 
 and propagating falfehoods ; and laftly, the ap- 
 parently fyftematic endeavours made to deftroy, 
 not only the influence and fupport, but the offi- 
 cial exiftence of the Clergy. 
 
 THE definition of the Clergy in all countries 
 is evidently a part of the French fyftem,* and all 
 their engines are now at work to accomplifh it. 
 The Clergy have been among the firft vi&ims to 
 that fanguinary revolutionizing fpirit which now 
 
 * As early as December, 1793, a member of the National Conven- 
 tion, publicly avowed it to be a part of their plan to annihilate all frivi- 
 s, and to ABOLISH every ECCLESIASTICAL incorporation. 
 
 C 
 
i8 
 
 convulfes the world. In France, and in the 
 countries which flie has fubdued by her intrigues 
 and her arms, the Clergy have been inalmoft all 
 inflances either deprived of their livings, fepa-* 
 rated from their people, plundered, imprifoned, 
 banifhed, or inhumanly maflacred. I have a letter 
 from a refpedlable correfpondent in Europe, in- 
 forming me, that when the French, fome years 
 ago, entered Holland, a proteftant country, and 
 blefled with as pious and learned a miniftry as any 
 on the globe, one of their firft objefls was to dik 
 place fome of their moft refpe&able and influen- 
 tial Clergy, and to concert meafures for depriving 
 minifters and univerfity profeffors of their legal 
 falaries. How far they have proceeded in this 
 diforganizing bufmefs I am not informed.* 
 
 THE fame malignant fpirit is vifibly at work 
 to deftroy the Clergy in thefe United States. 
 And what have they done to provoke this hoftil- 
 ity ? Why they have " preached politics. "-] This, 
 fo far as I know, is the principal, if notjhe only, 
 charge alledged againft them. But is this any new 
 crime ? No ; it is as old as Christianity ; nay it is 
 as old as the priefthood itfelf. The priefts and 
 prophets under the Old Teftament difpenfation ; 
 Chrift and his Apoftles under the New ; the faith- 
 ful Chriftian Clergy in every age and every coun- 
 
 * See note (C.) 
 
 t My idea of the politics which become the pulpit, I have heretofore 
 given in an extract from Boucher's Difcourfes, which it nny not be amife 
 Jiere to repeat, By politics, I do not m^an " the wrangling debates of 
 
try, have preached politics ; that is, they have 
 inculcated fubjedion to civil magiftrates, and obe- 
 dience to the laws ; have cautioned the people 
 againft animofities and divifions ; warned them 
 of their dangers, whether from foreign or domeflic 
 enemies, and have exerted their talents and influ- 
 ence to fupport the religion and lawful govern- 
 ment of their country. . I appeal to the Sacred 
 Scriptures, and to hiftory for the truth of what 
 I have afferted. And what have, the Clergy 
 of the prefent day done more than we have jufl 
 ftated ? What have they done more than the 
 Clergy in this country have always done in times 
 of danger ? What more than has heretofore been 
 required and expeded from them ? And yet, for 
 doing what only twenty years ago they were 
 called upon to perform as a duty? they are now 
 cenfured and abufed, and reprefented as anexpen- 
 five, ufelefs, nay even, noxious body of men. In 
 fome of our news papers, which are read by too 
 many with more avidity, and more faith than the 
 Holy Bible, they are continually reproached and 
 
 modern aflemblies ; debates, which .far too often turn entirely on the 
 narrow, felfifh, and fervile views of party. The term has been, and in 
 difcourfes from the pulpit ought to be, ufed in a much more extended 
 and more dignified fenfe ; as comprehending all that long lift of duties 
 which every man owes to fociety in his public capacity. Every man is 
 at leaft as much concerned to be a good fubjeft, as he is to be a good 
 neighbour ; and fo far is a preacher trom being chargeable with being 
 guilty of a confufion of duties, orofafiiiming a character which does 
 not belong to him, that he acts ftriftly within the line of his profeffion, 
 when he explains as well as he is able, and enforces on the people com- 
 mitted to his care, their public as well as their private duties. Such pol- 
 itics are literally the foaling voice ofchriftian charity.'' 1 
 
 * See a circular letter addrefied to the Clergy of Maflachufrtts, by th< 
 Provincial Congrefs, inferted in the appendix 10 my late Thankfgiving 
 Sermon, page 65, 
 
vilified ; and every low artifice is ufed to leffeft 
 their influence and ufefulnefs ; and what is deeply 
 to be lamented, this poifon is greedily fwallowed, 
 and affiduoufly diiTeminated by fome even, who 
 profefs to be the warm friends and fupporters of 
 Chriftianity, and of the Chriftian Miniftry. Lit-* 
 tie are thefe good people aware of what they are 
 doing. Little do they believe that, blinded by 
 their prejudices, they are in fadt aiding with all 
 their influence, the adverfaries of religion in fub- 
 verting its foundations; that they are aft ing a 
 part dire&ly contrary to their prayers and their 
 profeflions. I would to GOD the veil might be 
 fpeedily torn from the eyes of fuch Chriftians, as 
 are ignorantly affifting to pull down the pillars 
 which fupport the chriftian fabric, left they too 
 late deplore their folly amidft its ruins ! 
 
 So numerous indeed and bold have the adverfa* 
 ries of the Clergy become, fo confident of their 
 ftrength, that even in our legislature, they have 
 lately ventured to bring forward and ftrenuoufly 
 to advocate meafures, and publicly to avow 
 opinions, tending diredly and almoft infallibly to 
 deprive a great part of the prefent Clergy of regu- 
 lar fupport, and to difcourage and effectually to 
 prevent young men from enteringinto the work of 
 the miniftry .* How can we account for this gen- 
 eral, uncommon, and determined oppofition to the 
 Clergy ? The deep intereft which they have taken 
 in the political welfare of their country, furely, for 
 
 * See note (D) 
 
the reafons we have mentioned, cannot be confid- 
 ered either as a good, much lefs as an adequate 
 caufe for fuch a mighty effeft. It cannot with 
 truth be alledged againft them that they are de- 
 ficient in patriotifm ; that they are inimical to 
 freedom, or that they have any intereft to ferve 
 feparate from that of the people, No, my breth- 
 ren, the true ground of oppofition to the Clergy of 
 America, at the prefent time is, they are decidedly 
 oppofed to the hoftile dejigns and infidious arts 
 of the French Government. They are oppofed to 
 thofe atheiftical, demoralizing, and deteftable 
 principles, which their emiffaries are endeavouring 
 to difTeminate in our country, as in others, to pre- 
 pare the way for our overthrow. They are a 
 phalanx in the way, to prevent the execution of 
 their impious defigns upon us. Thefe are the 
 true caufes of the prefent warfare againft the 
 American Clergy. And I pray GOD we may 
 never fhrink from fo glorious a conteft. I earn- 
 eftly entreat you who love Chriftianity and its 
 holy inftitutions, to confider the nature andconfe- 
 quences of this conteft. Suppofe the Clergy van- 
 quifhed, their influence deftroyed, and their office 
 abolilhed, agreeably to the wiflies and defigns of 
 their enemies ; what becomes of public worfhip ? 
 of the holy facraments ? and of the Sabbath ? 
 Without a regular Clergy, the two former cannot 
 be maintained, and the latter would foon ceafe to 
 be regarded. And when thefe inftitutions ihall be 
 abolifhed, the foundations of Chriftianity fink of 
 courfe, and then what will the righteous do ? 
 
22 
 
 I AM aware that for thefe gloomy forebod- 
 ings, and for this vindication of the Clergy, 1 
 may, by fome, be called vifionary, .fplenetic, 
 credulous, and felfifti ; but, feeling as I do for 
 my religion and my country, reproaches of this 
 kind, I thank my GOD, are to me harmlefs 
 things. Confcious that I declare to you only fol- 
 emn and feafonable truths, I am perfectly fearlefs 
 of the confequences* Reproaches for vindicating 
 my own profeffion againft the calumnies of the 
 enemies of Chrift and his religion, I fhall always 
 deem honorable. I am only concerned, my breth- 
 ren, left the fituation of the American people gen- 
 erally, be like that of the poor deluded Swifs, pre- 
 vious to their awful and deplorable overthrow, 
 and which is thus defcribed by their energetic 
 hiftorian :* " 63" The inhabitants, he fays, 
 feemed fearful of being roufed from their indiffer- 
 ence, and were offended at predictions meant to put 
 them on their guard. Woe to him who difturb- 
 ed the general quiet by peevilh reafoning on the 
 future, and on the danger of connexions in which 
 they were finking deeper and deeper. The ma- 
 jority of the Swifs were like thofe patients who 
 are angry with' the phylician for defcribing to 
 them their diforder." 
 
 THE conteft which now engages the attention, 
 and fills with fearful apprehenfions all the civil- 
 ized world, is fingular in its kind. " It is a con- 
 teft of liberty againft defpotifm ; of property 
 againft rapine ; of religion againft impiety ; of 
 
 * MalJet Du PJD, p. 109. 
 
' civilized fociety againft the' deftroyers of all focial 
 order. Thefe terms feebly exprefs the calamities 
 which the principles and the arms of France have 
 produced in their baleful progrefs ; and which 
 the wounds of a bleeding world will atteft." 
 
 THESE fame principles, my brethren, whichbave 
 produced incalculable mifckief and mifery in other 
 countries, are deeply rooted and widely fpreading 
 through our own, and are preparing the way for 
 the armies which have defolated Europe. Of the ef- 
 fedls of a French army, co-operating with their par- 
 tizans in this country, we may form force idea if 
 we look at Switzerland. May a merciful GOD 
 fave us from fuch awful calamities ! 
 
 I FULLY concur in opinion with an able and pi- 
 ous divine, as expreffed in a late difcourfe on the 
 fulfilment of the prophecies, that " we are come 
 M to what the fcripture emphatically calls THE 
 "LAST DAYS;" that " the laft tyrannical form 
 " of government is falling to pieces ;" that " the 
 " fourth beaft is now dying, and with his pangs 
 " convulfing the world ;" that ** during his laft 
 * ' agonies the miferies of mankind will every 
 "where be great, and greateft on thofe nations 
 " which have contributed moft to the fupport of 
 " the civil and religious tyranny of the beaft." 
 And I would fain imprefs on my own mind, and 
 on yours, the folemn exhortation which he fub- 
 joins, "$3r Let us not come near it, for its dying 
 " breath is contagious. It is the body of Daniel's 
 " fourth beaft that is dying, and infidelity with 
 
24 
 
 44 its natural confequences,war and diforganization, 
 *' are the plague by which it is confuming. All 
 " wife people will withdraw their embraces, both 
 " from the dying body, and the difeafe by which 
 "itperifheth."* 
 
 In this connection I cannot forbear inviting 
 your attention to a paffage in a late excellent 
 difcourfe of the Bifliop of Quebec, which is too 
 pertinent to our prefent purpofe, and too val- 
 uable not to be here introduced. The candid 
 reader, I prefume, will need no apolegy for its 
 length. " Judicious commentators upon the 
 *' prophecies, he fays, have directed our attention 
 ** to the conclufion of the prefent century, as the 
 " beginning of a period of great trouble and fuffer* 
 *' ing to the nations, and of much danger to the 
 " general faith of Chriftians. They have even 
 " explained the particular nature of thofe troubles 
 " with an exa&nefs which is truly aftonifhing. 
 " Thefe interpretations of the predi&ions, it 
 " Ihould be remembered, were given, fome long 
 " ago, and all of them before the commencement 
 " of that feries of events which has fo much agi- 
 " tated Europe and the world." 
 
 " THE images made ufe of by the facred wri- 
 " ters are diftin&ly interpreted to predid a great 
 " definition, approaching to annihilation of thofe 
 * lawful powers that, at the time under contem- 
 plation, foould reign in the earth : a dreadful 
 
 * See note (E.) 
 
" diminution of tiiz dignity and fplendour of all 
 44 greatnefs ; a fubverfion of facial fubordination 
 
 * * and of civil government ; and a contempt of all 
 *' law fid authority. They are interpreted to pre- 
 * 4 diifl that menjhould be let loofe upon each other in 
 
 * * defiance of civil power, jufl rule, and legal rejiraint. 
 44 They are confidered as intimating that irrelig- 
 44 ion, vanity, a total abfence of ferious principle, 
 44 and a mifapplication of the refinements of civil iz- 
 44 ation, were to produce thefe mifcbiejs precifely in 
 ** thefe times.* 
 
 44 WHAT fhall we fay then to thefe things ? 
 44 Thefe are the interpretations of the PROPHE- 
 <4 CIES, interpretations made all of them before 
 44 the commencement of the events that they 
 "defcribe!" 
 
 44 CERTAINLY at no period in the hiftory of 
 ** mankind, has the hand of GOD more clearly 
 44 appeared to overrule the a6ts of nations and em- 
 44 pires, than in the circumftances which diftin- 
 4< guifh the prefent times ; and in the very ftriking 
 44 and wonderful manner in which the occurrences 
 44 which are daily taking place in the world, are 
 " ful filing the PROPHECIES, as thofe prophecies 
 i4 have been previoujly underjlood, and interpreted, 
 " by men moft confpicuous for learning and 
 ** genius !" 
 
 44 UNDER this view of the fubjedt, we appear 
 " to be diredlly led to confider the revolutionifls of 
 
 * See, more particularly, Mr. KING'S Criticifms, tending to illuftrate 
 fume palTagesin the Holy Scripture?, 
 
" France as fpecially appointed to execute the Di- 
 4 'vine counfels , as ordained to be inftruments 
 " of punifhment ; a&ing with fearful feverity 
 *' upon the more abandoned of mankind ; and 
 44 purifying, like a refiner's fire, the hearts of thofe 
 "who continue to hold faft the prof effion of their 
 " faith as it was once delivered to the Saints. " 
 
 " THE wonderful feries of fuccefles which have 
 " fo long diftinguiflied the arms of a people be- 
 "yond example impious, and the facility with 
 " which they have fpread their pernicious princi- 
 *' pies, and opened a way for their ambitious pro- 
 c< jedts among other nations, muft have equally 
 M perplexed and alarmed the mind of every re^ 
 M fleding man who has cbnfidered the fubjedl in 
 *' this light ; but viewing them as a SCOURGE in 
 " the hand of Heaven, to chaftife the wickednefs 
 c< of an ungrateful world, his fears will change 
 M their objed:, and his perplexity will ceafc." 
 
 " BY what fteps they arrived at this dreadful 
 " pre-eminence, is now fufficiently underftood.*' 
 " The long and infamous labours by which they 
 *' introduced infidelity and anarchy ; the confpi- 
 '* racy, directed with remorfelefs treachery, with 
 " envenomed malice, and with unwearied perfe- 
 ** verance, not only againft all eftablifhed forms 
 *' of Chriflian ivorfoip, but againft the Religion of 
 " J e f us thrift, are now known to the world. The 
 " progrefs which they have made in this diaboli- 
 
 BARRUEL'S Hid. of Jacobinit"m ; and ROB ISON'S Proofs of a Con- 
 
 fpiracy 
 
16 cal warfare is recorded in chara&ers of blood."* 
 IF the foregoing reprefentations be correct, we 
 fhall perceive that it is our lot to live in perilous 
 times ; in the period when there lhall be " upon 
 the earth diflrefs of nations with perplexity, the fea 
 and the waves roaring ; men's hearts failing them 
 for fear, and for looking for thofe things which are 
 coming on the earth" 
 
 I HAVE thus endeavoured, my brethren, to ex- 
 hibit a faithful picture of fome of the dangers with 
 which our religion and our country are now im- 
 minently threatened. Admitting the reality of 
 thefe dangers, it is natural to inquire, What are 
 
 Our CONSEQUENT DUTIES ? 
 
 WE are not to be difmayed or difheartened at 
 the profpedt before us. It is gloomy, I acknow- 
 ledge, but far from being hopelefs. A ftate of 
 things like the prefent has been long expeded by 
 many pious, reflecting, and enlightened Chriftians. 
 The Wife and Mighty GOD is accomplifhing his 
 grand deilgns ; and the winding up of the awful 
 and tremendous fcene now ailing in our world, 
 will doubtlefs be glorious to himfelf. If then dan- 
 gers multiply around us ; if the foundations of 
 our religion and government are affailed and fhak- 
 en ; (GOD be praifed they are not yet, as in many 
 European countries, deftroyed) let us not like 
 cowards defert our ports, a&djf&l like a bird to the 
 mountain. But, after the example of David, let 
 
 * Bilhop of Quebec's Thankfgiving Difcourfe, preached Jan. 10, 1799- 
 
us encourage ourfelves in the Ldrd, and quit our- 
 felves like men in the caufe of GOD and our coun- 
 try. To comfort and animate us in the glorious 
 conflict, let us refledl, with the exemplary Pfalm- 
 ift, that the Lord is in his holy temple ; that His 
 throne is in the heavens ; that His eyes behold and 
 his eyelids try the children of men ; that He trieth 
 the righteous ^ but the wicked and him that loveth vio- 
 lence ^ his foul hateth ; that The ultimate portion of 
 the wicked Jhall befnares, fire And brimjlone^ and an 
 horrible tempeft ; and that The righteous Lord loveth 
 righteoufnefs^ and his countenance beholdeth the up- 
 right. 
 
 THIS do&rine of a Divine fuperintending 
 Providence, fo precious to David, and to the people 
 of GOD in every age, and fo neceflary to fupport 
 us in thefe eventful and diftreffing times, it is 
 deeply to be regretted, is, with other important 
 truths connected with it, falling into difcredit and 
 negleft before the impious principles of the new 
 philofophy. Our pious anceftors faw the hand of 
 GOD in every thing, more efpecially in all fignal 
 events, fuch as peftilence, famine, earthquakes* 
 war, and other Calamities . But it has become fafh- 
 ionable of late, to afcribe thefe things to the uncon- 
 trouled operations of natural caufes, and to keep 
 out of view the Divine agency. This has been 
 remarkably the cafe in refped to the defolating 
 licknefs, which has proved a fevere and increafing 
 calamity to our country. From the difagreement 
 among phyficians as to the origin, nature, and 
 
methods of preventing and healing this malignant 
 difeafe, and from its remarkable progrefs and in- 
 creafe, it is very evident that it is brought upon us 
 in judgment, by the fpecial hand of Providence, 
 to punijh us for ourjtns. And however attentive 
 and careful we may be to remove natural caufes, 
 which ought by no means to be omitted, yet we 
 can have no good reafon toexped: that this calam- 
 ity will ceafe from among us, till the moral caufes 
 be removed, till we acknowledge the righteous 
 hand of GOD in it, and are truly humble for our fins 
 and reform our lives. 
 
 THE hiftory of fome of the heathen nations, 
 will inftrudt and fhame us on this point. The 
 Romans afcribed their good or bad fuccefs to their 
 ftridl obfervance, or their neglecft of the public and 
 private duties of their religion. " They received 
 public prosperities, or public calamities ', as bleffings 
 conferred, or punifhments inflicted by their Gods. 39 
 
 WE have the teftimony of Cicero, that the Ro^ 
 mans " furpafled all nations in the only point 
 '* which can be called true wifdom, viz. a thorough 
 ** conviction that all things here below are directed 
 " and governed by a Divine Providence " While 
 the Roman people felt the influence of this firft 
 principle of all religion, they were virtuous, free, 
 and invincible. But when the Atheijlical dodrine 
 of Epicurus had infinuated itfelf among them un- 
 der the fafcinating title of philofopby, it by degrees 
 undermined and deftroyed this great principle, and 
 with it that " individual fimplicity of manners, 
 
and enthufiafm of public virtue ; that chafte re** 
 ' gard to the union of the fexes by marriage, and 
 *' pious attention to the improvement of the mor- 
 " als of the people by religion, which, in all coun- 
 " tries are the ftrong pillars by which every po- 
 *' litical fociety is fuftained, and its component 
 44 parts cemented." The fpread and influence of 
 the Epicurian philofophy was the real caufe of that 
 rapid depravity of the Roman manners, which 
 terminated in the ruin of the empire itfelf.* 
 
 THIS flame philofophy which ruined Rome has 
 been revived in the prefent age, and is now wide- 
 ly fpreading its defolations over the world. Its 
 contagious influence has reached us, and is vifibly 
 marring the foundations of all our moft precious 
 interefts. The principles of this philofophy 
 44 deftroy all before them ; and though they may 
 " firft inflame the palace, they will in the end 
 *' confume the thatched cottage." 
 
 I HAVE ftrong and confoling hope that the 
 reign of this impious philofophy will not be gen- 
 eral, or of long continuance, in our own country, 
 and particularly in this part of it. We have, I 
 truft, many to ftand in the gap who, in the name 
 of the Lord of Hofts, are already oppofing them- 
 felves with zeal and firmnefs, in the ufe of the 
 proper means, againft the deftru&ive torrent. And 
 this number I truft is increafing and will increafe. 
 The alarm is given, the ruined republics of Europe 
 
 * Sfenote(F.) 
 
JL 
 
 are exhibited before our eyes as fo many beacons 
 to guard us againft the rocks on which they have 
 been fhip wrecked, and the American people in 
 confequence are roufing, too flowly and reluctantly 
 indeed, from their flumbers. Many good peo- 
 ple, however, are ftill afleep, and infenfible to our 
 prefent dangers. The Lord in his own time and 
 manner will open their eyes, and conquer their 
 unreafonable prejudices ; and then they will cor- 
 dially join their prayers and their efforts againft 
 the common enemy. But before this (hall be 
 generally the cafe, there is reafon to fear we {hall 
 be obliged to drink deeper than we have yet done 
 of that cup of calamities, mingled by a juft GOD, 
 of which many of the European nations are now 
 drinking even to the very dregs. 
 
 To prevent this as far as in us lies, it behoves us 
 to liften to the voice of Providence in the prefent 
 events, which loudly warns us to avoid all polit- 
 ical connection with thofe nations which feem de- 
 voted to deftruCiion ; C^r to watch the movements, 
 and detedt and expofe the machinations of their 
 numerous emiffaries among us ; to rejeCt, as we 
 would the moft deadly poifon, their atheiftical and 
 deftruCtive principles in whatever way or fhape 
 they may be infinuated among us ; to take heed 
 that we partake not of their fins, that we may not 
 receive of her plagues. *' Let us fear the Lord ; 
 " live in all due fubjeCtion to our rulers, and 
 " meddle, not with them that are given to change/* 
 
 IT is a duty fpecially incumbent on us at this 
 
time, to promote to offices of truft and influence 
 fuch men only, as have good principles and morals; 
 who refpedt religion and love their country ; who 
 will be a terror to evil doers, and will encourage 
 fuch as do well. If ever the time fhall come 
 when the new philofophy fhall obtain afcendency 
 over public opinion, and men who have embraced 
 its principles, fliall be able to controul our flate 
 and national counfels, " America muft drink the 
 cup of Babylon. Then flie will become a limb 
 of the beaft, whofe body GOD hath faid lhall be 
 given to the burning flame. "* 
 
 LET us not then become enamoured of this vain 
 and impious philofophy, nor imagine that infidel- 
 ity is any mark of profound thinking, or of acute 
 penetration. *' A little philofophy (faid Lord 
 Bacon) inclineth men's minds to atheifm ; but 
 depth in philofophy bringeth men's minds about to 
 religion" Chriftianity can reckon among her fup- 
 porters and advocates many of the brighteft orna- 
 ments of our race, men of the moft fhining talents, 
 the deepeft refearch, and the moft profound and 
 extenfive learning that the world ever witnefled. 
 Let this religion theri, which ftrengthens all the 
 motives of virtue ; binds together the members 
 of fociety, and whofe do&rines and precepts tend 
 in the higheft degree to promote univerfal happi- 
 nefs, be the "ANCHOR of all our hopes ; and let us 
 never forget the infeparable connexion that exifts 
 between the virtues which flow from it, and the 
 profperity of our country." 
 
 * STRONG. 
 
 AMEN. 
 
NOTES. 
 
 NOTE (A.) page 14. 
 
 Jl H E foregoing Extract is from the honourable R. G. Harper's Sketch 
 cf the principal afis of Congrtfs, during the Jejjion which clojed the $d of 
 March lait, and is dated at Philadelphia, March go, 1799. He adds, 
 
 " This fcheme came to our knowledge in the following manner. 
 A very rich fhip from the Eaft Indies, valued at nearly feven hundred 
 thoufand dollars, was taken laft fummer by one of Hedouville's priva- 
 teers. The owners, merchants of this town (Philadelphia) employed a 
 man of honor and character, well known here, and well acquainted in the 
 Weft Indies, to go and endeavour to purchafe the fhip, at a low rate. 
 He went to St. Domingo for that purpofe j and while there, converfed 
 with fome of the black officers who were to be employed in the expedi- 
 tion. As he fpoke their language well, he was led to cultivate an ac- 
 quaintance with them j and from them, in their moments of conviviality, 
 he learned the project. / have it from him, through a psrfoti oftht highejl 
 confidence." 
 
 NOTE (B.) page 16. 
 
 IN my Difcourfe on the National Faft,* May 9111,1798, after giving fome 
 account of ROB ISDN'S Proofs of a Conj piracy, c. a work which had then 
 juft arrived in America, I faid, " There are too many evidences that this 
 order (the Illuminati,) has had its branches eftablifned, in fome form or 
 other, and its emiffaries fecretly at work in this country, for leveral years 
 part." 
 
 t Being often publicly called upon for evidence to fupport this infinua- 
 tjon, I engaged, when my health and leifure would permit, to lay it be- 
 fore the public. This engagement was in part fulfilled, in the Ap- 
 pendix of my Thankfgiving Sermon of Nov. 29, 1798, Note, (F.) p. 73, 
 to which I refer the reader. 
 
 Since this I have received a letter from Prefident DwipHT, confirming 
 the facl which he hat} aiferted in a note to his Difcourfe on the 41)1 or July, 
 1798, viz. that Illuminatifm exifts in this country ; and the impious 
 mockery of the Sacramental Supper,defcribed by Mr. RoBisoNt has been 
 a&ed here." Knowledge of tnis fad: was received by Preiident Dw IGHT 
 from an unqtieftionable fource. He fays that, " his informant, a refpecla- 
 bleFree Mafou, declares, that among the Higher Orders of JMafons in this 
 country, this piece of Illuminatifm (meaning the mockery of the holy 
 Supper) is, at times, I know not how often, prafiifed. The gentleman from 
 xvhoml have the intelligence informed me, that this fail was a decifive 
 proof of Illuminatifm in America, as the celebration of the Si-cred Supper, 
 was not, in any fenfe, a part of the rites of the original Mafonry. Of this 
 ! know he ran ft be certain; as being one of the principal officers of th^ 
 Mafonic Brotherhood," 
 
 But if all this evidence, added to that which arifes priina facie from 
 the exiting ftate of things ; from the wonderful and alarmimr change 
 which has been fuddenly and imperceptibly produced too generally in thff 
 principles and morajs of the American people, be infufficient to convince 
 and fatisfy candid minds of the actual exiftence, and fecret and extenlive 
 operation, of Illuminatifm in this country, the following documents 
 which were received through a mod refpeclable channel, and lor the 
 authenticity of which I pledge myfelf, malt, I conceive, remove every 
 
 * Page 23.- -} P. 137, and 138, Fhi'a, Edit. 
 
 E 
 
34 
 
 doubt remaining on the minds of rttajonable men. If any branches of this 
 Society are eftablifhed in this part of the United States, the members no 
 doubt will feel irritated at this difclofure, and will ufe all their Jecret arts, 
 and open endeavours, todiminifh the importance of thefe documents and 
 the reputation of him who makes them public. As to the latter, I feel 
 little concern, having made up my mind to facrifice every thing I pofTefs, 
 and even my life, if necefTary in the caufe of my religion and my country. 
 But I am anxious to guard the public againlt the artifices of defigning 
 perfons which may probably be ufed to leflen the importance of evidence 
 adduced in confirmation of facls of infinite moment to their welfare. I 
 earneftly invite the readers unprejudiced attention to the following 
 documents. 
 
 COPY OF AN ORIGINAL LETTER, 
 
 A L'Ot... de Portfmouth, En Virginie le ij* 
 du 5e.m. en L'an de la V.*. L.. 5798^. 
 
 La R.. L.'. Pte.-. Fse.. regulierement conftitue fous 
 le titre diflinclif de la Sagefle No. 2660. par le G.- 
 Ot.. de France. 
 
 A 
 
 LaT.. R.. L.. L'union-franqaife No. 14. conftitule 
 par le G.-. Ot.. de New-York. 
 
 S.-. F.. V.-. 
 
 TT.s CC.-. & RR.-. FF.-. 
 
 LA ?Iacxhe dont vous nous avez favorifes en date du i6c du 2c. mois 
 de la prefente annee Mque.., ne nous eft parvenue que depuis peu de 
 jours ; Elle a etc mife fous les yeux de notre R,. L... en fa feance extra- 
 ordinaire du I4.e. du prefent. 
 
 Nous vous telicitons TT.-. CC. k . FF.% des noiivelles Conftitutions que 
 vous avez obtenues du G.-. Ot.. de New-York. Nous nous ferons en 
 confequence un plaiiir & un devoir d'entretenir avec votre R.. L.'. la 
 correfpondence la plus fraternelle, comme avec toutes les LL.'. reguliere 
 qui voudront bien nous favorifer de la leur. 
 
 C'eft a ce titre que nous croyons devoir vous donner Connoiflance de 
 PetabliiTement de deux nouveaux attellieres maqoniques regulierement 
 conditues et inftalles au rite franqais par notre R>. L.-. provincialle, L'un 
 depuis plus d'un an fous le titre de L'amitie a L'Or.*. de PeterAburg, en 
 Virginie ; 1'autre, plus recent, fous le titre de la Parfaite-Egalite a 
 L'Ot.*. du Port de Paix ille St. Domingue. 
 
 Nous vous remettons cy -joint quelques exemplaries de notre Tableau 
 de cette annee que notre L.. vous prie d'agreer en retour de ceux 
 qu'elle a re9U de la votre avec reconnoifTance. 
 
 Puifle le G.. A.. tie 1'U.-. benir vos travaux et les couronner de toutes 
 fortes de fucces ! C*eft dans ces fentiments que nous avons la i'aveur d'etre, 
 P,-. L.-. N.-. M.-. Q... V.-. S.-. O. 
 
 XT.-, CC,-. et TT... RR... FF.-. 
 
 Votre tres atfeitiones FF'. 
 Par Mandement de la T.. 
 R,, L... Pte.-.-de la SagefTe 
 Guieu 
 
 Secretaire. 
 
TRANSLATION. 
 
 At the Eafl of the Lodge of Portfmouth in 
 Virginia, the iyth of the ^th month, in the 
 year of (V.. L..) True Light 5798./: 
 
 The (R... L,. Pie.-. Ffe...) refpeftable French 
 Provincial Lodge, regularly appointed under the 
 diftinitive title of WISDOM, No. 2660 by the 
 CRAND ORIENT OF FRANCE. 
 
 TO 
 
 The (T.vR.% L..) very refpefl: able French Lodge, 
 The UNION, No. 14, contlituted by the Grand 
 Orient of NEW Yt)RK. 
 
 S.-. F... V.-. 
 
 TT.-. CC.-.andRR... FF.-. 
 
 THE plate or opening (la Blanche) with which you have favoured us in 
 date of the i6th of the 2d month of the current year (Mque.-.) Mafonic, 
 came to us but a few days fince. It was laid before our (R.*. L.-.)re~ 
 ipectable Lodge, at its extraordinary felfiooson the 14th infh 
 
 We congratulate you TT.'. CC.-. FF.-. upon the pew Conftitutions or 
 Regulations which you have obtained from the Grand Orient of New 
 York. We will therefore make it our pleafure and duty to maintain the 
 moft fraternal or intimate Correfpondence with your (R.'. L..) refpefta- 
 ble Lodge ; as alfo with all the regular Lodges who are willing to favour 
 us with theirs. 
 
 It is on this ground (a cetitre) that we think it our duty to inform you 
 of the eftablifhment of two new Mafonic Workfhops (attellieres) regu- 
 larly conftituted and installed according to the French ritual, by our 
 Provincial (R. . L. . ) refpeclable Lodge ; one, more than a year fince, 
 under the title of FRIENDSHIP in the Eaft fide of the Petersburg in Vir- 
 ginia ; the other more recent, under the title of PERFECT EQUALITY, in 
 the Eaft of Port dePaix in the Ifland of St. Domingo. 
 
 We herewith tranfmit to you fome copies of our Lift (Tableau) for this 
 year, which our Lodge prays yon to accept in return for thofe which it 
 hath received from your Lodge with thankfulnefs. 
 
 May the Grand Architect of the Univerfe blefs your labours, and crown 
 them with all manner of fuccefs. With thefe fentiments we have the 
 favour to be 
 
 P.. L.-.N.-. M.. O.-. V.-. S.. C.-. 
 
 TT.-. CC.-. ATT.-. RR.-. FF.-. 
 Your very affectionate FF. . 
 
 By order of the very refpeclable 
 Provincial Lodge of WISDOM, 
 G1EU, 
 
 Secretary; 
 
TABLEAU 
 
 t)e s F. F. qui compofent la Loge Prwituiak 
 Francatfe, 
 
 Sous le Titre Diftindif de la 
 
 S A G E S S E : 
 
 A I/ORIENT DE PORTSMOUTH, EN VIRGINIE, ETAT DE 
 L'AMERIQUE SEPTENTRIONALE, 
 
 A TEpoque de la jSt. Jean, 5798. 
 
 NORFOLK; 
 
 IMPRIME PAR WILLETT & O'CONNOR. 
 
F.'. F.'. Dignitaires. 
 
 VENERABLE PIERRE VALENTIN DAVEZAC, habitant de St. 
 Domingue, ne Aux Cayes, age de 44 ans, membre de la L.. la Raifoa 
 Perfect! onnee, O.-. de Petit Trou. R.-. s!.. 
 
 ier, SuRViELLANT-LOUlS PATRICOT BORDENEUVE, habitant 
 de St. Domingue, ne a Lavaur, age de 47 ans, membre dela L. de la Sol- 
 itude, O.'. du Terrier Rouge. R.-. ?.. 
 
 ae. SURVEIELLANT JEAN BAPTISTE FDULON, negotiant, ne a 
 St. Quentin, age de 54 ans. R.-.r;*.-. 
 
 ORATEUR JOSEPH ANTOINE DUFORT, docteur en medecine, 
 habitant de St. Domingue, ne a St. Marcelin, age de 41 ans. R.'. i*;.. 
 
 SECRETAIREJEAN ANTOINE GIEU, notaire, au Port-au-Prince : 
 ne a Marfeille, age de 44 ans. M. 
 
 TRESORIER VINCENT PARLATO, Md. n6 a Naples, ag6 de 41 
 ans. R.. ap.. 
 
 Me. DES CEREMONIES JOSEPH MAGAGNOS, Md. ne a Toulon, 
 age de 25 ans. M.-. 
 TERRIBLE LOUIS SAUTEJEAU, Md.ne a Nates, age de 30 ans. M.% 
 
 i. EXPERT JEAN BAPTISTE CAPAMAGY, Md. ne a Conftaii- 
 tinople, age de 42 ans. R.'. sir.* 
 
 2me. EXPERT JEAN BAPTISTE MARIE BONNEAU, habitant de 
 St. Domingue, ne a Marfeilles, age de 39 ans. M.. 
 
 HOSPITALIER GEORGE FKRTE, dofteur en medecine, habitant de 
 St. Domingue, ne a Ham, age" de 71 ans. M.. 
 
 ADJOINT AU SECRETAIRE, ET GARDE DES SCEAUX ET ARCHIVES 
 LOUIS DECORMIS, ancien direfteur de FHopital Francois, ne a 
 Toulon, age de 38 ans. R.. tftj. 
 
 Ex-Venerabk. 
 
 L.. T.. C.% F.'. 
 
 PIERRE JULIEN, minor, ancien ingenieur de 1'etat, habitant duPoft- 
 au-Prince, ne a Beurdeaux, age de 46 ans. M.. 
 
 Membres Refidans. 
 BERNARD MAGN1EN, negociant, ne a Luneville, age de ^2 ans. 
 
 J"V** /#*,* 
 
 ALEXIS REMOUIT, ancien capitain de la marine, marchande, ne a 
 Toulon, age 54 ans, membre de la L.-, de St. Jean d'Ecofle, a TO.-, de 
 Marfeille. R.-. *.-. 
 
 GEROME DUBORD, ne a Meulam en France, age de 39 ans. M.-. 
 
 PIERRE GERMAIN, habitant de St. Domiugue, ne a Marfeille, age 
 de 37 ans. R.. ,-. 
 
 THOMAS CROUZEILLES, negociant au Cap Francois, ne a Laguien, 
 age de 50 ans. R.. ... 
 
 JEAN PIERRE LA PEIROUSSE, Md. ne a Bolenne, age de 48 ans. 
 R.-. *.-. 
 
 AUGUSTIN PIERKE TAXIS - BLAIREAU, homme de foi, ne a 
 Paris, age de 63 ans. M.. Ecc. 
 
 JOHN COX, capitaine de navire, ne a la Bermude, age de 40 ans. M.% 
 
 ANNE FRANCOIS BRIFFAULT, notaire de St. Domingue, ne a 
 t-oche, pres Tours, age de 33 ans. M.*. 
 

 HENRY DICKSON, capitain de navire, ne" en Engleterre, age* de 4$ 
 ans. C.*. 
 
 WITRE WILLIS, capitaine de navire, ne a la Bermude, age de 40 
 ans. R.-. &.. 
 
 GEORGE MORPHY, maitre voilier, ne en Irelande, age de 32 ans. M.. 
 
 WILLIAM WARD, maitre taileur, ne a Princcfs-Ann en Virginie, age 
 de 31 ans. M.-. 
 
 MATHEW HAREY, Md. ne a Langeindhall, en EcofTe, age de 34 ans. 
 
 LOUIS MAR'ECHAL, horloger, nc a Bruxelle, age de 40 ans. C.'. 
 
 JOSEPH MEYFREN, habitant de St. Domingue, ne a. Aix en Prov- 
 ence, age de 47 ans. M.'. P.*. 
 
 HAUSE MILLER, capitaine de navire, ne en Denmarck, age de 43 
 ans. M.*. 
 
 PIERRE ARM AND LANDRY, bijoutier, ne en Connecticut en 
 Amerique, age de 44 ans. M.*. 
 
 CHARLES BAILLE, Md, ne a la Senne en Provence, age de 39 
 ans. M.'. 
 
 ROBERT DIEUDONNE GAGNERON, habitant de la Guadalonpe, 
 ne au meme lieu, age de 62 ans. M.*. Ecc.. 
 
 ETIENNE FAURE, boulanger,ne a St. Domingue, age de 32 ans. M.-. 
 
 JA^UE LAROQUE, dofteur en medecin, ne a la Mazelle de Mirande, 
 age 50 ans. M.*. Ecc.*. 
 
 ROBERT SHELTON, ne a Newcomte en Virginie, age de 24 ans.App. 
 
 LOUIS ETIENNE DURAND, negotiant, ne a 1'Ifle St. Croix, age 
 de 28 ans. C.*. 
 
 JOHN TRIMBLE, habitant, ne en Irelande age de 49 ans. M.-. P.'. 
 
 JOHN SMITH, habitant, ne a Norfolk, age de 64 ans. Ecc. 
 
 RICHARD OWENS, capitain de navire. ne dans le comte de Norfolk, 
 age de 29 ans. C.'. 
 
 HUGUET, ancien officier miiitaire, ne a Verafille, ag^ de 42 ans. M.. 
 
 F. 1 . Servant. * 
 
 LOUIS SENECHAL, tailleur, ne a Abrai fur Sorame an Picardie, age 
 de 40 ans. Ap.*. 
 
 Depute de la L.-. pres le G.'. 0.'. de France. 
 Le TV. c.s F.'. LAURENT, entrepreneur <les batiments, ofRcier du 
 G.-. O v -. 
 
 Addreffe de la L.-. la Sageffe. 
 
 Au TV. c.'. F.'. Secretaire de la L.. de la SagefTe, a fon locat 
 ordinaire a Norfolk, en Virginie. 
 
 Traveaux cT Obligation. 
 
 La L.'. Provinciale de la SagefTe, s'aflemble regulierment tous les 
 premiers Lundis de chaque mois. 
 
 Membres Non-refidans. 
 
 LOUIS VALENTIN, dodeur en medecin, n6 a Soulange, age de 40 
 ans. R,'. 3?.. 
 
 LOUIS CLAUD HENRY MONTMAIN, habitant de St. Domingue, 
 ne a Tonrere, age de 57 ans. R,-. ^.. 
 
JEAN JAQUE DARRAS, habitant de la Guadeloupe, n a Pont St. 
 EfjJrit, age de 43 ans. M. 
 
 JOSEPH VINCENT, habitant de St. Doraingue, n a Malltre age de 
 54 ans. C. 
 
 LOUIS MAXIMILIAN MILLET, commiflaire employe au ferrice de 
 la Republique Fran^aife, ne a Paris, age de 26 ans. M. 
 
 JEAN JAOUC LATOUR, employe.au fervice de la Republique Fran- 
 c.aife, ne a Linra, age de 28 ans. * M. 
 
 ANNE NOURRI, employe au fervice de la Republique Fran$aife, ne 
 a la Rochelle, age de 26 ans. M. 
 
 DON JEUX, ancien capitain d'infanterie, negociant a Northampton, 
 ne en Lorraine, age de 45 ans. 
 
 JOSEPH BERMOTTE, negociant a Charlefton, ne a Arras, age de 46 
 ans. M. P. 
 
 CLEMENT RICHARD, negociant a Newcaftle, n en France, age de 
 51 ans. M. P. 
 
 HONOIIE NELLE, negociant a Edenton, Caroline du Nord, ne en 
 France, age 61 ans. C. 
 
 JEAN CONTON, chemifle, refident a Charlefton, ne a Marfeille, age 
 de 63 ans. R. jg. 
 
 MATHIEU WILLIS, habitant en Virginie, ne dans la Comte de Nor- 
 folk. 
 
 WILLIAM HOFFLER, habitant dans le Comte de Norfolk, ne en 
 Virginie, age de 46 ans. M. 
 
 PIERRE DABADIE, ancien capitain de navire, ne a Bayonne, age d 
 51 ans. R. 3$, 
 
 MAYER DA R KIN, negociant a Peterfburg, ne a Berlin en Pruffe, 
 age de 61 ans. M. 
 
 BLOUET, Cure de Jacmel, ifle de St. Domingue,'ne en Bretagne, age 
 de 43 ans. R, $. 
 
 OLIVIER Al VIABLE COURS AULT, ne a Havre, age 43 ans, R. $. 
 
 CHARLES HERV1EUX, capitain de navire, ne a Dieppe en Norman- 
 die, age, de 38 ans. R. J{g. 
 
 JACOB ABRAHAM, negociant a Richmond, ne en Pologne, age de 
 65303. El. 
 
 JEAN SANS, habitant a York, ne a Bayonne, age de 40 ans. El. 
 
 PIERRE VERGNE, negociant a Philadelphie, ne en France, age de 61 
 ans. R. &. 
 
 ANTOINE TROUIN, negociant a Richmond, ne a Toulon, age de 
 41 ans. R. &- 
 
 NICHOLAS PETIT, capitaine de navire, ne a Sanmur, age de 34 ans. 
 R, &, 
 
 M. MORDECAI, chemifte et negociant a Richmond, ne en Pologne, 
 age de 56 ans. M. P. 
 
 AUBIN DE LA FOREST, negociant a Richmond, ne a Rochefort, 
 a^e de 58 ans. M. 
 
 FRANCOIS VIGIE, marchand, ne a Motpelier, age de 36 ans. M. 
 
 FRANCOIS GRUAU, habitant du Petit Goave, ifle deSt Domingue, 
 ne a Paris. R. '#. 
 
 FR ANCO1SE DOMENGEOD, habitant de Miragouane, ifle St Domin- 
 gue, ne a 1'ille de France, age de 39 ans. R. $-. 
 
 GABRIEL DESIRE NICOLAS, habitant a Aquin, ifle St. Domingue, 
 ne an meme quartier, age de 32 ans, M. 
 
 JOSEPH NICOLAS DUHAMAU, habitant de Miragouane, Ifle St. 
 Domingue, ne an fond des Negres, raeme quartier. M. 
 
 PIERRE FRANCOIS ELIE LOLAIGNii, habitant de Miragouane, Ifle 
 St. Domingue, ne a Leogane, meme Ifte, age de 37 ans, M. 
 
40, 
 
 JOSEPH MARTIN, Negociant a Alexandria, ne a Digne en Provence, 
 age 48 ans, M. P. 
 
 JEAN MARAULT DUPONT, Negociant a Miragouane, Ifle St. Do- 
 mingue, ne a Cartel, Moron, age de 49 ans, M. 
 
 GUSTAVUS ADAMUS REFTIMUS, Capitaine'de Navires,Suedos, 
 ne a Diftad en Suede, age de 45 ans, M. 
 
 JACQUES BOUTEILLIER, lieutenant de Vaifleau Francois, ne dans 
 la department de la Mofelle, age de 50 ans. M. 
 
 FORZI, do&eur en Medgcine, ne en Ville Entardenois department de 
 la Marne, age de 37 ans, C. 
 
 FRANCOIS BERTHOME, dofteur en Medecine, ne ail Pelerin, pres 
 Nantes, C. 
 
 JOSEPH NATHAN, Negociant Aux Cayes, Ifle St. Domingue, ne a 
 Libourue, en Tofcane, age de 29 ans, R. $g. 
 
 NICHOLAS HENNEUIN, ne a Metz, department de la Mozelle, 
 age 25 ans, M. P. 
 
 CESAR AUGUSTS DERVEZ, dotteur en Medecine, ne a Lochelle, 
 department 1' Aifne, age de 35 ans. M. 
 
 JEAN BAPTISTE^CABRIT, dotteur en. Medecine, ne a Cabrit, de- 
 partment du Loz et Gironde, age de 35 ans* M. 
 
 LOUIS PROUVEUR, negociant, ne au Havre-de-Grace, age de 29 
 ans. M. 
 
 JEAN JOSEPH BONNAUD, habitant du Fort Dauphin, Ifle St. Do- 
 iningue, ne a Tourbes, en Provence, age de 38 ans, Ap. 
 
 ETIENNE ROCQUEPLANE, Negociant a St. Domingue, ne a la 
 Siotat en Provence, age de 28 ans, Ap. 
 
 PIERRE RESCAN1ERE, habitant de St. Domingue, ne en Languedpc, 
 age de 35 ans, A p. 
 
 CHARLES DE SAINT LAURENT, officier de la Marine Francoife,ne 
 en Bretagne, age de 31 ans, M. 
 
 JEAN CLAMENS, dodleiir en Medecine, ne a Lifle, age de 37 ans, M.P. 
 
 JEAN FRANCOISE XAVIER DANNEL, officier de Marine,nea Saint 
 Malo, age de 37 ans, C, 
 
 LOUIS GINAT, officier de Marine, ne a Genes, age de 29 ans, M. P. 
 
 JUETTE, Negociant a Baltimore, ne en Normandie, agede 34 ans, Ap, 
 
 MATHURIN PIERRE, COUSSY, habitant de St. Domingue, ne a 
 Nantes, age de 40 ans, M. P. 
 
 LOUIS HA MEL, Capitaine de Navires, ne a age de , M. 
 
 RICHARD RIMBAUD, Negociant, ne a Bourdeau, age de 31 ans, Ap. 
 
 HONORE MONIER, Capitaine de Navires, ne a Marfeille, age de 39 
 aps, M. 
 
 BE&TRAND LANGE, jun. ne a Bayonne, age de 29 ans, M. Ecc, 
 
 FRANCOIS FRAISSE, ne a Toulon, age de 28 ans, M. 
 
 Amplius homines oculis 
 quam auribus credunt. 
 Iterlongum eftperpre- 
 ceplci) breve et ejficax 
 per exempla. 
 Par mandement de la TV, 
 .-.L.-. GIEU, 
 
 Secrefair. 
 
TRANSLATION. 
 
 TABLE 
 
 Qfthe BRETHREN who compofe the PROVINCIAL 
 FRENCH LODGE, 
 
 UNDER THE DISTINCTIVE TITLE OF 
 
 WISDOM: 
 
 IN THE EAST OF PORTSMOUTH, IN VIRGINIA, STATE OF 
 NORTH AMERICA. 
 
 In the Epoch of St. John, 5798. 
 
 NORFOLK: 
 PRINTED BY WILLETT AND O'CC 
 
F. F. Dignitaries. 
 
 VENERABLE PETER VALENTIN DAVEZAC , inhabitant of St. 
 . Domingo, born at Aux Cayes, aged 44 years, member of the lodge Per- 
 fitted Reafon, O. (Baft) of Petit Tron. R. 
 
 i ft. OVERSEER LOUIS PATRICOT BORDENEUVE, inhabitant 
 of Sr. Domingo, born at Lavaur, aged 47, member of the lodge of Solitude, 
 O. (E..ft) of Terrier Rouge. R. &, 
 
 2d OVERSEER, JOHN BAPTIST FOULON, merchant, of St. uen- 
 tin, aged 54. R. *K 
 
 ORATOR JOSEPH ANTHONY DUFORT, doftor of medicine, in- 
 habitant of St. Domingo, born at St. iVfarcelin, aged 41. R. &'. 
 
 SECRETARY JOHN ANTHONY GIEU, notary at Port-au-Prince : 
 born at MarfellUs, aged 44. M. * 
 
 TREASURER VINCENT PARLATO, phyfician, (Md.) born at Na- 
 ples, aged 41. R.rlf. 
 
 MASTER or CEREMONIES JOSEPH MAGAGNOS, phyfician, (Md.) 
 born at Toulon, aged 25. 
 
 TERRIBLE LOUIS SAUTEJEAU, phyfician, (Md.) born at Nantz, 
 aged 30. M. 
 
 xft ExPERTJEAN BAPTISTE JCAPAMAGY, phyfician, (Md.) 
 born at Gonttantinople, aged 42. R. 8?. 
 
 2d EXPERT JEAN BAPTISTE MARIE BONNEAU, inhabitant of 
 
 St. Domingo, born at Marfeilles, aged 39. M. 
 
 STEWARD GEORGE FERTE doctor in medicine > inhabitant of St. 
 Domingo, born at Ham, aged 71. M. 
 
 ASSISTANT SECRETARY AND KEEPER or THESEALS AND ARCHIVES, 
 LOUIS DECORMIS, Senior Direftor of the French Hofpital, born at 
 
 Toulon, aged 38. R. 
 
 Ex Venerable. 
 
 L. f. c. F* 
 Undoubtedly intended for le tres cher frere> 
 
 The much ejleemed Brother. 
 
 PIERRE JULIEN, jun. chief engineer of State, inhabitant of Port-au- 
 Prince, born at Bourdeaux, aged 46 year?. M. 
 
 Refident Members* 
 
 BERNARD MAGNIEN, merchant, born at Lanenville, aged 42, R, &. 
 
 ALEXIS REMCTUfT, Senior Sea Captain, Merchant', born at Toulon, 
 aed 54, Member from the L. of St. John of Scotland, to the O. (Eaft) 
 of iVfarfeilles. R. &. 
 
 GEROME DUBOKD, born at Meulam in France, aged 39. M. 
 
 PIERRE GERMAIN, Inhabitant of St. Domingo, born at Marfeilles, 
 nged37- R.&. 
 
 THOMAS CROWZEILLES, Merchairt at Cape Francois, born at 
 Lagiuen, aged 50. R, %. 
 
 JLAN PIERRE LA PIEROUSSE, Phyfician, (Md.)born atBolenne, 
 aged 48 years. >:. 
 
 AUGUSTIN PIERRE TAXIS -BLAIREAU, Lawyer, born at Paris, 
 aged 63. M. Ecc. 
 
 JOH N* COX. Sea Cipfiiin, born ar P'ermucla, agerl 40. M. 
 
 ANNE '. R ANCOIS BRfFFAULT, Notary of St. Domingo, born at 
 Loche^neur Tours, a^ed 32, M. 
 
43 
 
 , Sea Captain, born in England, aged 49. C. 
 \VITRE WILLIS, Sea Captain, born at Bermuda, aged 40. R. &. 
 
 GEORGE MORPHY, Sailing Matter, born in Ireland, aged 32. 'iVl. 
 
 \V1LLIAMWARD, Mailer Taylor, born at Priucefs Ann in Virginia, 
 aged 31 : 
 
 MATTHEW HAREY,Phyfician(Md)born at Langeihdhall in Scot- 
 land, aged 31 : M : P : 
 
 LOUIS MARECHALL, Watch- Maker, born at Bruxelle, aged 40 : C ; 
 
 JOSEPH MEYFREN, inhabitant of St. Domingo, born at Aix in Prov- 
 ence, aged 47 : M : P : 
 
 HAUSE MILLEB-, Ship Captain, born in Denmark, aged 43 : M : 
 
 PIERRE ARMAND LANDRY, Jeweller, bom in Conhefticttt, in 
 America, aged 44 : 1VJ : 
 
 CHARLES BA1LLE, Phyfician- (Md)born at Senne in Provence, aged 
 39 : M : 
 
 ROBERT DIEUDONNE GAGNERON, .inhabitant of Guadaloupe, 
 born at the fame place, aged 62, M : Ecc : 
 
 ETIENNE FAURE, Baker, born at St Domingo, aged 32, M : 
 
 J AQUE LAROqUE, Doctor in Medicine, born at Mazelie de Mirande, 
 aged 50, M ; Ecc : 
 -ROBERT SHELTON, born at New County in Virginia, aged 24 : 
 
 LOUIS ETIENNE DURAND, Merchant, born at the IflandofSt 
 Croix, aged 28 years, C : 
 
 JOHN TRIMBLE, inhabitant, born in Ireland, aged 49 years, M : P : 
 
 JOHN SMITH, inhabitant, born at Norfolk, aged 64, Ecc : 
 
 RICHARD OWENS, Ship Captain, born in the County of Norfolk, 
 aged 29 years, C : 
 
 HUGUET, Senior Military Officer, born at Verfailes, aged 42, M : 
 
 F. Servant. 
 
 LOUIS SENECHAL, Taylor, born at Abraon the Summit inPicardy, 
 aged 40 years, Ap : 
 
 Delegate from the Lodge at the Grand Orient of France. 
 The very dear Brother LAURENT, Ship Builder, Officer of the Grand 
 Orient. 
 
 Addrefs of the Lodge Wlfdcm. 
 
 To the very dear Brother Secretary of the Lodge Wifdom, at his ufual 
 Refidence at Norfolk in Virginia,. 
 
 Injunction. 
 
 The Provincial Lodge of Wifdom, afTembies itfelf regularly every firft 
 Monday of each month. 
 
 Non Refident Members. 
 LOUIS VALETIN, Doctor of Medicine, born at Soulange, aged 49. 
 
 R. #: 
 
 LOUIS CLAUD HENRY MONTMAIN, Inhabitant of St. Domingo. 
 born at Tonnere, aged 57 . R. '$. 
 
 JEAN JAQUE DAKRAS, inhabitant of Guadaloupe, born at Pont 
 St. Efprit, aged 43, M. 
 
 JOSEPH VINCENT, inhabitant of St : Domingo, born at Malltre, 
 C: 
 
44 
 
 LOUIS MAXIMILLIAN MILLET, CommifTary, employed in the 
 fervice of the French Republic, born at Paris, aged 26. M. 
 
 JEAN JAQUE LATOUR, employed in the fervice of the French Re- 
 public, born at Lnira, aged 28. M. 
 
 ANNE NOURRI, employed in the fervice of the French Republic, 
 born at Rochelle, aged 26 : M : 
 
 DON JEUX, fenior captain of infantry, merchant at Northampton, 
 born in Lorraine, aged 45 : 
 
 JOSEPH BERMOTTE, merchant at Charlefton, born at Arras, aged 
 46 : M : P : 
 
 CLEMENT RICHARD, trader at New Cattle, born in France, aged 
 51: M: P: 
 
 HONORE NELLE, merchant at Edenton, North-Carolina, born in 
 France, aged 61 : C : 
 
 JOHN CONTON, chemift, refulent at Charleflon, born at Marfeilles 
 aged 63 : C. 
 
 MATTHEW WILLIS, inhabitant of Virginia, born in the county of 
 Norfolk. 
 
 WILLIAM HOFFLER, refiding in the county of Norfolk, born in 
 Virginia, aged 46 years, M. 
 
 PIERRE DABABIE, fenior, (hip captain, born at Bayonne, aged 51 : 
 R : $ : 
 
 MAYER DARKIN, Merchant at Peterfburg, born at Berlin inPruflia, 
 aged 6 1 : M : 
 
 BLOUET, curate of Jacmel, in the Ifland St. Domingo, born in Brit- 
 tanny, aged 43 : R : & : 
 
 OLIVER AIMABLE COURSATT, born at Havre, aged 43 : R : $. 
 
 CHARLES HERVIEUX, fea captain, born at Dieppe in Normandy, 
 aged 38 : R : & : 
 
 JACOB ABRAHAM, merchant at Richmond, born in Poland, aged 
 65 : E) : 
 
 JOHN SANS, inhabitant of York, born at Bayonne, aged 40: El: 
 
 PIERRE VERGNE, merchant at Philadelphia,born in France, aged 6r 
 
 ANTOINE- TROUIN, merchant at Richmond, born at Toulon, aged 
 41. R. &\ 
 
 NICHOLAS PETIT, (hip captain, b'prn at Sanmur, aged 34. R. &> 
 
 M. MORDECAI, chemiftand merchant at Richmond, born in Poland, 
 aged 66. M. P. 
 
 AUBIN DE LA FOREST, merchant at Richmond, born at Roche- 
 fort, aged 58. M. 
 
 FRANCOIS VIGIE, Merchant, born at Montpellier, aged 36, M: 
 
 FRANCIS GRUAU, inhabitant of Petit Goave, in the Ifland ofSt 
 Domingo, born at Paris, R : '$ : 
 
 FRANCOIS DOMENGEOD, inhabitant of Miragonane, Ifle of St 
 Domingo, born at the Ifle of'France, aged 39, R : j$[ : 
 
 GABRIEL DESIRE NICHOLAS, inhabitant at Aquin, in St Domin- 
 go, born in the fame quarter, aged 32, M : 
 
 JOSEPH NICHOLAS DUHAMAU, inhabitant of Miragouane in S: 
 Domingo, born (an fond des Negres) in the fame quarter, M : 
 
 PIEKRE FRANCOIS ELIE LOLAIGNE, inhabitant of Miragouane, 
 St Domingo, born at Logan, the fame Ifle, aged 37, M : 
 
 JOSEPH MARTIN, Merchant at Alexandria, born at Digne in Prov- 
 ence, aped 48, M:P: 
 
 JEAN MARAULT DUPONT, Merchant at Miragouane St Domingo, 
 born at Cartel, Moron, aged 49, M : 
 
GUSTAVUS ADAMUS RESTI^IIUS, Sea Captain, a Swede, born 
 
 at Diflad in Sweden, aged 45, M : 
 
 JACQUES BOUTEILL1ER, Lieutenant of a French veffel, born in, 
 
 the Department of the Mozelle, aged 50, M: 
 
 FOKZI, Doctor in Medicine, born in Ville Entardenois, Department 
 
 of Maine, aged 37, C : 
 FRANCOIS BERTHOME, Doctor in Medicine, born at Pelerin near 
 
 Nantes, C : 
 JOShPH NATHAN, Merchant, Aux Cayes St Domingo, born at 
 
 Li bourne in Tnfcany, aged 29, R : 
 
 NICHOLAS HENNEQU1N, born at Metz, department of Mozelle, 
 
 aged 25, M : P : 
 CESAR AUGUSTyE DEtlVEZ, doflor in Medicine, born at Loch- 
 
 elle, department of Aifne, aged 35, M : 
 
 JEAN BAPTISTE CAbRlT, Doctor in Medicine, born at Cabrit, de- 
 partment of Loz and Gironde, aged 35, M : 
 
 LOUIS PROUVhUR, merchant, Dorn at Havre, aged 29, M : 
 JEAN JOSEPH BONNAUD, inhabitant ot Fort Dauphin St Domingo, 
 
 born at Tourbes in Province, aged 38, Ap : 
 ET1ENNE ROC^UE PLANE, merchant at St Domingo, born at 
 
 Siotat in Province, aged 28, App : 
 
 PIERRE RESCAN1ERE, inhabitant of St Domingo, born in Langue- 
 
 doc, aged 3,5, Ap : 
 
 CHARLES DE SAINT LAURENT, Marine officer of France, bom 
 
 in Erittanny, aged 31, M : 
 
 JEAN CLEMENS, doctor in Medicine, borne at Lifle,aged 37, M : P : 
 JEAN FRANCOIS XAV1ER DANIEL, Marine Oflicer, born at St 
 
 Malo, aged 37, C : 
 
 LOUIS GIN AT, Marine Officer, born at Geneva, aged 29, M : P : 
 JUETTE, Merchant at Baltimore., born in Normandy, aged 34, Ap : 
 MARTHURIN PIERRE COUSSY, inhabitant of St Domingo, born 
 
 at Nantes, aged 40, M : P : 
 
 LOUIS HAMEL, Sea Captain, born aged M : 
 
 RICHARD RIMBAUD, Merchant, born at Bordeaux, aged 31, Ap : 
 HONORE MONIER, Sea Captain, born at Marfeiiles, aged 39, M : 
 BERTRAND LANGE, jun. born at Bayonne, aged 29, M : Ecc : 
 FRANCOIS FRAISSE, born at Toulon, aged 28, M : 
 
 Men believe their eyes 
 farther than their ears. 
 The way ly precept is 
 long, butfiort and effica- 
 cious by example. 
 
 By order of the very Refpeffaslt 
 'G1EU, 
 
 Secretary. 
 
EXPLANATORY* REM1RKS. 
 
 FROM the preceding documents we learn that the Lodge of Wifdom, 
 eftablifhed at Portfhiouth in Virginia, is a branch of the Grand Orient of 
 France; and confifls chiefly of foreigners, and thefe Frenchmen from 
 France or her Weil-India dominions ; that it was inftituted as early as 
 1786,* and was at that period the TWO THOUSAND six HUNDRED AND 
 SIXTIETH branch from the original flock. 
 
 We further learn that there is a fifter Lodge at New-York, called the 
 Grand Orient of New-\ork t which from its name and the number of 
 Lodges it has inllittited, is probably the firft and principal branch which 
 the Mother Club in France has eftabiifhed in America. From this New- 
 York Lodge iffued the French Lodge, called the UNION, to which the 
 preceding letter was addrefied, which appeals to have been conflitu- 
 ted about a year ago, and was the fourteenth branch from its fecondary 
 flock. The places where thefe 14 branches exift we are left to conjecture 
 from their fruits. 
 
 From the documents it alfo appears that there is maintained an in* 
 timate and fraternal correfpondeuce between the various branches of 
 this fociety in America and St. Domingo, and alfo with the Grand Orient 
 of France, where there is a regular deputy, from the Lodge of Wifdom in 
 Virginia ; and that they interchange lifts of the names of their mem- 
 bers, with fuch defcriptions annexed, as are well calculated to make 
 them known to each other. 
 
 The befl informed Free Mafons among u?, who have feen the preced- 
 ing documents, difciaim thefe focieties. The titles of fome ot their Dig- 
 nitaries, their feal and motto, they declare are not Majonic. Thefe fo- 
 cietiet have prefumptuoufly afTumed the forms of Mafonry ; but are not 
 of the order of true and good Mafons. - They are impoftors. 
 
 The Lodge of Wijdom, a lift of whole members is here given, confifts 
 of one hundred. It appears that there arejixteen other Societies, includ- 
 ing the Mafonic Work-mop at Peterfburg in Virginia, which feems to be 
 of an inferior grade, fomewhere among us ; admitting that they all con- 
 fifl of an equal number of members, there are no lefs thanfeventeen hun- 
 dred of thefe Illuminati among us, all bound together by oath and the 
 mofl intimate correfpondence. Nay there is too much reafon to fear 
 that the many thoufands of Frenchmen who are fcattered through the Unit- 
 ed States, particularly fouthward of New-England, are combined and or-> 
 ganized (with other foreigners, and fome difaffe^ted and unprincipled 
 Americans) in thefe Societies j and are regularly inftrufted and directed 
 by their matters in France, and that they are in concert, fyftematically 
 conducting the plan of revolutionizing this country. 
 
 The principles and objects of this Society are in part deducible from 
 their Latin Motto, and their horrid feal ; but more fully from a recur- 
 rence to Proteilbr Robifon's and the Abbe BarruePs accounts of the infti- 
 tution, principles and objects of the Grand Orient of France ; for the 
 flreams muft always partake of the qualities of the fountain. 
 
 The Motto of this fociety is remarkable. Amplius homines, occuU^ 
 quam auribus credunt. her longum eft per precepta, breve et efficax per 
 exempla. Literally rendered, it is thus : " Men believe their eyes far- 
 ther than their ears. The way by precept is long, but fliort and effica- 
 cious by example." The fpirit of the motto is better exprefled in the 
 following more liberal tranflation, " Men more readily believe what they 
 
 This appears frera the Sea!. 
 
fee than what they hear. They are tsnght flowly by precept, but the ef- 
 fect of example, is fudden and powerful." 
 
 This infcription, it may be prefumed, was chofen as indicative of the 
 primary objects of the Society. It was formed then, not for /peculation 
 but for aQivity. Precepts are fcorned, while attioiis are confidered as the 
 only effectual mode of teaching mankind, and of prodncing a change in 
 their opinions. This is clearly the object, it the infcription has any 
 meaning. If the opinions of men refpecting government ami religion are 
 not thofe which are to be changed by the fcenes now pafling before their 
 eyes, what is the object ? The Society alone can anfwer. Their own 
 actions as a fbciety furely csnnot be intended, for the very exiftence of 
 the Society is defigned to be a/ecret. The changes which they can pro- 
 duce by Jecret influence and intrigue, the novel arts which they can thus 
 exhibit before the eyes of men, are doubilefs to be the efficacious means of 
 teaching men the new fyftem of philofophy, which lets at defiaace, and 
 contemns all old and fettled opinions, by which the government of na- 
 tions and the conduct of individuals have heretofore been directed. 
 
 The Seal of this Society is doubtlefs intended as a further indication 
 of their defigns ; and an infpection of it in this view, will induce one to 
 believe they muft be of the moft horrid nature. I have caufed an exact: 
 copy from the original to be annexed, becaufe no defcription of mine 
 can do it juiUce. It may probably be emblematical of one of the rituals 
 of the Grand Orient of France, which I here recite from PrcfeflbrRoBi- 
 SON, as the beft comment upon it, 
 
 " A candidate for reception into one of the higheft Orders, after hav- 
 ' ing heard many threatenings denounced againil all who fliould betray 
 *' tte Secrets of the Order, was conducted to a place where lie faw the 
 < dead bodies of feveral who were faid to have fuffered for their treach- 
 " ery. He then faw his own brother tied hand and foot, begging his 
 " mercy and interceflion. He was informed that this perfon was about 
 to fuffer the puniftiment due to this offence, and that it was referred for 
 * him (the candidate) to be the inftrument of this juil vengeance, and that 
 f this gave him an opportunity of manifeding that he was completely de- 
 voted to the Order. It being obferved that his countenance gave figns 
 of inward horror, (the perfon in bonds imploring his mercy all the 
 ' while) he was told that in order to fpare his feelings, a bandage 
 ' fhould be put over his eyes. A dagger was then put into his right 
 ' hand, and being hood-winked, his lett hand was laid upon the palpi- 
 tating heart of the criminal, and he was then ordered to ftrike. He 
 ' inftantly obeyed j and when the bandage was taken from his eyes, he 
 "- faw that it was a Iamb that he had llabbed. Surely fuch trials and 
 ' fuch wanton cruelty are fit only for training confpirators."* 
 
 But we cannot with certainty and accuracy determine what are the 
 principles and objects of this extenfive ailbciation without recurring to 
 the accounts which ProfeiTor Robifon and the Abbe Barrnel have given 
 us of the principles and objects of the Grand Orient of Francs. This is 
 a fubject of great moment, and requires more attention than I have at 
 prefent either health or leifure to beftow. I intend not to lofe light of 
 If, however, and will, as early as pofiible lay before the public fuch a 
 view of the original Inftitution, as the two forementioned work?, and 
 other documents (hall furnifh. I will only obferve here that it appears 
 from Profeflbr Robijon\ that about eight years before the Revolution in 
 France, the Duke of Orleans, whnfe character is Cf flamed with every 
 thing that can degrade or difgrace human nature/^ had the addrefs, by 
 
 * Rob. p. zSj. f 178, *79i PW'a. Edit. t Ibid. p. 2:4. 
 
means of much intrigue and many bribes and promifes to procure hinu 
 felf elected Grand Matter of France, and to get under his direction all the 
 Improved (another word for Illuminated) Lodges of France. " The 
 whole afTociation, fays Mr. Robifon, was called the GRAND ORIENT ofc 
 FRANCE, and in 1785, contained 266 of thefe Lodges.* Thus (adds Mr* 
 Robifon) the Duke of Orleans had the management of all thole Secret 
 Societies; and the licentious and irreligious fentiments which were cur- 
 rently preached there, were fure of his hearty concurrence. The fame in- 
 trigue which procured him the fupreme chair mu ft have filled the 
 Lodges with his dependents and emifTaries ; and thefe men could not 
 better earn their pay than by doing their utmoft to propagate infidelity, 
 immorality, and impurity of manners "\ 
 
 From a work written by a Mr, Lefranc, Prefident of the Seminary of 
 Eudijls at Caen in Normandy, the 2d Edition of which was published at 
 Paris, 1792, it appears that the Author has, from collection of papers 
 \vhich had fallen into his hands upon the death of a friend, made impor- 
 tant difcoveries concerning the principles and views of this affbciation. 
 " The perufal of thefe papers, he fays, filled him with aftonifhment and 
 anxiety. For he found that doctrines were taught, and maxims of con- 
 dud were inculcated, which were fubverfive of religion and of all good 
 order in the ftate ; and which not only countenanced difloyalty and fedi- 
 tion but even invited it."}: 
 
 That there are branches and confiderably numerous too, of this in- 
 fernal affectation in this country we have now full proof. That they 
 hold and propagate (imilar doctrines and maxims of conduct is abundant- 
 ly evident from what is paffing continually before our eyes. They even 
 boaft that their plans are deeply and extenfively laid, and cannot be^de- 
 feated, that fuccefs is certain. If then, Americans, we do not fpeedily 
 take tor our motto, Vigilance, Union and Activity, and act accordingly, 
 we muft expert foon to fall victims to the arts and the arms of that na- 
 tion, ''on the title page of whofe laws, as well as on its ftandards, is 
 written the emphatic and deforiptive motto of 
 
 " HAVOC AND SPOIL AND RUIN ARE OUR GAlN." 
 
 Note (C.) page 18. 
 
 A Letter from Holland, an extract ,of which is now before me, in- 
 forms, that fince the French had taken pofTeffion of that country, " the 
 people were not called together, as formerly, by ringing of bells, and 
 iDiniiters were not permitted to wear a band or other diftinctive orna- 
 ments, without the walls of the church." 
 
 Letters from a correfpondent, in Edinburgh, alfo in my pofleifion, 
 dated January 27, 1797, fay, 
 
 * The Rev. Dr. Hinlopen, a worthy Minifler of Utrecht, was fufpended 
 fome months, by the prefent rulers in Holland ; but this occafioned fuch 
 general murmurings and difguft, that they found it neceflary to replace 
 him. The depriving all Minifters and Univerfity Profefibrs of legal fala- 
 ries from government, is a meafure, of which many in power are fond. 
 Eut I have not iutiicient information how far they have or have not 
 fucceeded." 
 
 * In this number ?.re probably included the Lodges in France only, otherwife the increaCe muft 
 -n aftonifhingiv rapid, in order to have hud the tiuo tkoiifand fix hundred and fat. e:h 
 'i-d in Ar.:crivaia i 
 
 t Robifon, p. 2-9. t ibid. p. iBo. $ See Mallet Du Pan, p. no. 
 
i, 1797. . 
 
 ft Dr. Peirfon Minifter in Amfterdam has fuffered feverely by the Revolu- 
 tion. Hislofs is ellimatedat^sooo fterling. For about a year and an 
 lialf he was in fad a prilbner in his own houfe. But on the i5th of 
 April, 1797, the committee of vigilance forced him out of it, and put him 
 in prifon, none having accefs to him except the Jailor and his fervants, 
 and he and his lady were not permitted to write each other without 
 their Infpeftion. The firft ten days Mrs. Peirfon was not allowed to 
 fend him any viftuals. The 27th of April they delivered him up to the 
 committee of juilice. 
 
 A Lady writes to a Friend in Scotland that " his enemies can lay noth- 
 ing to his charge. 7 * 
 
 Thefe are among innumerable facts to prove the hoftiiity of the French 
 Revolutionifh to the Clergy. 
 
 Anacharlis Cloots, a meiuber'of the National Convention was' wont to 
 fay Rings and PrieHs are ufelefs things. They are defpors and cor- 
 rupters." And they are treated by the French and their emiflanes \vith- 
 out dillin&ion and in every country, as if what this avowed Atheiit 
 aiTer.ts concerning them were true. 
 
 NOTE (D.) page 20. 
 
 THE meafures alluded to in the foregoing paragraph were propoful 
 to the Legillature during the laft feffion in the form of a Bill, which was 
 lupported with much zea\ by fome of the members. The purport of 
 this Bill, as I bave been informed, from very relpe&able authority, was 
 that any individual producing a certificate from the clerk of any. aflb- 
 ciation of men for religious purpofes, that he or (he, actually contributed 
 to the fupport of public worlhip, mould exempt (hch perfon from all le- 
 gal affefiments or requifitions, for the maintenance of public teacher?.* 
 
 Had this Bill palled into a law, it is eafy to fee that it would have juf- 
 tified and protected (as was no doubt the intention of the Bill, though 
 by no means of all who may have voted for it)t the difaffe&ed, the irre- 
 ligious and the defpifers of public worfliip and of theChriftian Sabbath, in 
 every town and parifli, in withdrawing that fupport of theChriftian Mm- 
 3 dry which the laws now oblige them to give. This clafs ot people is not 
 fmall in many of our towns and parishes ; and their fupport taken away 
 would reduce many of the Clergy to a fituation that would compel them 
 to leave their people. The ultimate effeds of fuch a law, it is eafy to 
 forefee, would be the divifion and ruin of many of the parifties in the 
 Commonwealth. Happily the wifdom of the Legiflature torefaw the evil 
 and prevented it. 
 
 * Not having feen the Bill, I Rate Us content* a* given by one who was perfonally interefted 
 in the qucftion, and confirmed by others in a like fituation, and may therefore be relied on 
 as corrtd as to its tffence. 
 
 t It was introduced at the clofe of-the feffion, when the houfe was thin, and the member* 
 prefent many of hem, anxious to return to their homes, and fome who may have given their 
 rotes in favour of the Bill, may not, on thefe accounts, have paid that attention to it which it* 
 importance demanded. 
 
NOTE (E.) Page 24, 
 
 SEE a Sermon, replete with found fenfe and piety, entitled Political 
 Jnftruftioti from the Prophecies of GOD'S Word," preached at Hartford, 
 (Con.) on. the State Tl?ankfgiving, Nov. 29, 1798, by the Rev. NATHAN 
 STRONG, 
 
 " An ingenious and learned ferijion, lately publilhed by the Rev. 
 Prefident.it) wight, hath juftly explained the three impure fpirits, under 
 the fixth vial, that went out of the mouth of the dragon, and out 
 of the mouth of the bead, and out of the mouth of the falfe pro- 
 phet, to mean the principles of infidelity, which within a century 
 have rifen in the old chrlman world. The events and the effe&s 
 fo precifely mark the period of prophecy, that we cannot miftake 
 it. The caufes of the prefent war in Europe lie in the moral world. 
 Tbefe impure fpirits, have, already gathered the kings or nations, to 
 the battle of the great day of GOD Almighty. The battle is fighting 
 the blood is running, and it will run. There may be a multi- 
 tude of contradicting events, but the principal features of t"he fcene will 
 be the fame until this Babylon is fallen. It is the irrefiftible work of 
 GOD and muft go on, for the mouth of the Lord himfelf hath fpoken it. 
 And while the work is going on, fome will fee and give glory to the GOD 
 of heaven ; but thofe who are nooft deeply involved in thefe events will 
 neither fee ,nor fear." fyid. 
 
 NOTE (F.) Page 30. 
 
 " IT is a matter of extreme aftoniftiment to me, (fays Bifhop Watfon*) 
 how any man of fenfe can expeft to carry on any government without 
 the aid of religion. The Greeks and Romans had their Elyfium and their 
 Tartarus, their hopes and. fears o futurity, to affift the impotency,and to 
 extend the agency, of civillaw. But when the dodlrines of Epicurus be- 
 came general at Rome $ when men were taught that there was no future 
 ftate ; that Death was Eternal Sleep, the bonds of moral obligation, thofe 
 flnews of fociety, were broken. Then, fays Paterculus, non gradujed, 
 predpiti curfu a virtute dejcitum et ad vitia tranfcurjum eft and Rome 
 felt/." 
 
 * Charge to the Clergy of the'Diooefe of Landaff, June 1798. 
 
 
0W/V if 
 
 X 
 
M180774: 
 
 THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY