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of communion； much less those of charity； between Christian
brethren of the same essential principles。 Some of them；
however； were not inconsiderable； and numerous inducements
concurred to give them an extraordinary interest in their eyes。
When that portentous system of abuses； the Papal dominion；
was overturned； a great variety of religious sects arose in its
stead in the several countries； which for many centuries before
had been screwed beneath its subjection。 The fabric of the
Reformation； first undertaken in England upon a contracted
basis； by a capricious and sanguinary tyrant； had been
successively overthrown and restored； renewed and altered；
according to the varying humors and principles of four
successive monarchs。 To ascertain the precise point of division
between the genuine institutions of Christianity and the
corruptions accumulated upon them in the progress of fifteen
centuries； was found a task of extreme difficulty throughout
the Christian world。
Men of the profoundest learning； of the sublimest genius； and
of the purest integrity； after devoting their lives to the research；
finally differed in their ideas upon many great points； both of
doctrine and discipline。 The main question； it was admitted on
all hands； most intimately concerned the highest interests of
man； both temporal and eternal。 Can we wonder that men who
felt their happiness here and their hopes of hereafter； their
worldly welfare and the kingdom of heaven at stake； should
sometimes attach an importance beyond their intrinsic weight
to collateral points of controversy； connected with the all…
involving object of the Reformation？ The changes in the forms
and principles of religious worship were introduced and
regulated in England by the hand of public authority。 But that
hand had not been uniform or steady in its operations。 During
the persecutions inflicted in the interval of Popish restoration
under the reign of Mary； upon all who favored the
Reformation； many of the most zealous reformers had been
compelled to fly their country。 While residing on the continent
of Europe； they had adopted the principles of the most
complete and rigorous reformation； as taught and established
by Calvin。 On returning afterward to their native country； they
were dissatisfied with the partial reformation； at which； as they
conceived； the English establishment had rested； and claiming
the privilege of private conscience； upon which alone any
departure from the Church of Rome could be justified； they
insisted upon the right of adhering to the system of their own
preference； and； of course； upon that of non…conformity to the
establishment prescribed by the royal authority。 The only
means used to convince them of error and reclaim them from
dissent was force； and force served but to confirm the
opposition it was meant to suppress。 By driving the founders
of the Plymouth Colony into exile； it constrained them to
absolute separation irreconcilable。 Viewing their religious
liberties here； as held only by sufferance； yet bound to them by
all the ties of conviction； and by all their sufferings for them；
could they forbear to look upon every dissenter among
themselves with a jealous eye？ Within two years after their
landing； they beheld a rival settlement attempted in their
immediate neighborhood； and not long after； the laws of self…
preservation compelled them to break up a nest of revellers；
who boasted of protection from the mother country； and who
had recurred to the easy but pernicious resource of feeding
their wanton idleness； by furnishing the savages with the
means； the skill； and the instruments of European destruction。
Toleration； in that instance； would have been self…murder； and
many other examples might be alleged； in which their necessary
measures of self…defence have been exaggerated into cruelty；
and their most indispensable precautions distorted into
persecution。 Yet shall we not pretend that they were exempt
from the common laws of mortality； or entirely free from all
the errors of their age。 Their zeal might sometimes be too
ardent； but it was always sincere。 At this day； religious
indulgence is one of our clearest duties； because it is one of our
undisputed rights。 While we rejoice that the principles of
genuine Christianity have so far triumphed over the prejudices
of a former generation； let us fervently hope for the day when
it will prove equally victorious over the malignant passions of
our own。
In thus calling your attention to some of the peculiar features
in the principles； the character； and the history of our
forefathers； it is as wide from my design； as I know it would be
from your approbation； to adorn their memory with a chaplet
plucked from the domain of others。 The occasion and the day
are more peculiarly devoted to them； and let it never be
dishonored with a contracted and exclusive spirit。 Our
affections as citizens embrace the whole extent of the Union；
and the names of Raleigh； Smith； Winthrop； Calvert； Penn and
Oglethorpe excite in our minds recollections equally pleasing
and gratitude equally fervent with those of Carver and
Bradford。 Two centuries have not yet elapsed since the first
European foot touched the soil which now constitutes the
American Union。 Two centuries more and our numbers must
exceed those of Europe itself。 The destinies of their empire； as
they appear in prospect before us； disdain the powers of human
calculation。 Yet； as the original founder of the Roman State is
said once to have lifted upon his shoulders the fame and
fortunes of all his posterity； so let us never forget that the glory
and greatness of all our descendants is in our hands。 Preserve
in all their purity； refine； if possible； from all their alloy； those
virtues which we this day commemorate as the ornament of
our forefathers。 Adhere to them with inflexible resolution； as
to the horns of the altar； instil them with unwearied
perseverance into the minds of your children； bind your souls
and theirs to the national Union as the chords of life are
centred in the heart； and you shall soar with rapid and steady
wing to the summit of human glory。 Nearly a century ago； one
of those rare minds to whom it is given to discern future
greatness in its seminal principles； upon contemplating the
situation of this continent； pronounced； in a vein of poetic
inspiration； 〃Westward the star of empire takes its way。〃 Let
us unite in ardent supplication to the Founder of nations and
the Builder of worlds； that what then was prophecy may
continue unfolding into historythat the dearest hopes of the
human race may not be extinguished in disappointment； and
that the last may prove the noblest empire of time。
End