sion to any office of trust or profit than such oath of support and fidelity to this State, and such oath of office, as shall be directed by this Convention or the Legislature of this State, and a declaration of belief in the Christian religion." See also P. 12.

North-Carolina in her Constitution (Art. xxxii.) says, "that no person who shall deny the being of a God, or the truth of the Protestant religion, or the divine authority of either the Old or New Testament, or shall hold religious principles incompatible with the freedom and safety of the State, shall be capable of holding any office, or place of trust or profit, in the civil department within this State."

So far as these quotations make any distinction between denominations of Christians, the autor does not concur with them, but they conclusively shew, that the constitutions from which they are taken, unequivocally sustain the Christian religion.

C.-Page 11, 13.

In Art. 7th of the Constitution of the United States, that instrument is said to have been framed, "by the unanimous consent of the States present, the seventeenth day of September, in the year of our Lord, 1787, and of the independence of the United States of America, the twelfth." In the clause printed in Italic letters, the word Lord means the Lord Jesus Christ, and the word our preceding it, refers back to the commencing words of the Constitution; to wit, "We the people of the United States." The phrase, then, our Lord, making a part of the dating of the Constitution when compared with the commencing clause, contains a distinct recognition of the authority of Christ, and of course, of his religion by the people of the United States. This conclusion is sound, whatever theory we may embrace in regard to the Constitution;-whether we consider it as having been ratified by the people of the United States in the aggregate, or by States, and whether we look upon the Union in the nature of a government, a compact or a league. The date of the Constitution is twofold;-it is first dated by the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ; and then by the Independence of the United States of America. Any argument which should be supposed to prove, that the authority of Christianity is not recognised by the people of the United States in the first mode, would equally prove that the Independence of the United States is not recognised by them in the second mode. The fact is, that the Advent of Christ and the Independence of the country, are the two events in which of all others, we are most interested; the former in common with all mankind, and the latter as the Birth of our Nation. This twofold mode, therefore, of dating so solemn an instrument, was singularly appropriate and becoming. The Articles of Confederation are dated in the same twofold way.

Again, in Art. 1, Sec. 7, c. 2. of the Constitution of the United States, provision is made, that, "if any bill shall not be returned by the President within ten days (Sundays excepted) after it shall have been presented to him, the same shall be a law in like manner as if he had signed it, unless the Congress by their adjournment prevent its return; in which case it shall not be a law." In adopting this provision, it was clearly presumed by the people, that the President of the United States would not employ himself in public business on Sunday. There is no other way of explaining the fact, that in the case contemplated, they have given him ten business days, during which he may consider a bill and prepare his objections to it. The people had been accustomed to pay special respect to Sunday from the first settlement of the country. They assumed, that the President also would

wish to respect the day. They did not think it suitable or becoming to require bim, by a constitutional provision, to respect the day;-they assumed that he would adhere to the customay observance without a requirement. To have enacted a constitutional provision, would have left him no choice, and would have been placing no confidence in him. They have placed the highest possible confidence in him, by assuming without requiring it, that his conduct in this respect would be according to their wishes. Every man who is capable of being influenced by the higher and more delicate motives of duty, cannot fail to perceive, that the obligation on the President to respect the observance of Sunday, is greatly superior to any which could have been created by a constitutional enactment. It is said in the text, that this obligation extends by parity of reasoning to all persons employed in stations subordinate to the Presidency in the service of the United States. This is certainly true, but it is perhaps not putting the argument in its strongest light. The reasoning is quite as much à fortiori as à pari. The people in adopting the Constitution, must have been convinced, that the public business entrusted to the President, would be greater in importance and variety, than that which would fall to the share of any functionary employed in a subordinate station. The expectation and confidence, then, manifested by the people of the United States, that their President will respect their Sunday, by abstaining from public business on that day, must extend à fortiori to all employed in subordinate stations."

The recognitions of Christianity in the State Constitutions are of three kinds. 1. These instruments are usually dated in the year of our Lord, and the same observations which were made on this phrase in the case of the Constitution of the United States, are no less applicable, mutatis mutandis, to the Constitutions of the respective States. 2. Nearly all of them refer to the observance of Sunday by the Chief Executive Magistrate, in the same way in which such observance is referred to, in the Constitution of the United States; and, therefore, in regard to them, no further observations are required. 3. Definite constitutional provisions not only recognising the Christian religion, but affording it countenance, encouragement and protection; the principal of which are quoted in the text p. 12, and in Note B. pp. 30, 31. See also p. 13.

D.-Page 14.

This appears to the author the most convincing ground upon which to rest the argument against Sunday mails. The observance of Sunday, and its appropriation to the duties of religion, had been established from the first settlement of the country. Laws were in force and had long been in force, requiring its respectful observance, in all the thirteen States which were originally parties to the Constitution of the United States. No authority over

* The author is happy to sustain his views by the authority of Mr. Frelinghuysen, United States Senator from New-Jersey.

"Our predecessors have acted upon a true republican principle, that the feelings and opinions of the majority were to be consulted. And when a collision might arise, inasmuch as only one day could be thus appropriated, they wisely determined, in accordance with the sentiments of at least nine-tenths of our people, that the first day of the week should be the Sabbath of our government. This public recognition is accorded to the Sabbath in our Federal Constitution. The President of the United States, in the discharge of the high functions of his Legislat Department, is expressly relieved from all embarrassment on Sunday. Both Houses of Congress, the Offices of the State, Treasury, War, and Navy Departments, are all closed on Sunday." Speech in the Senate 8th May, 1830.

the Christian religion, or its institutions, has been given to the National Legislature by this Constitution. All their measures ought to be consistent with its institutions, and none of them ought to be in violation of them. And until within a few years, our national legislation was, in this respect, suitable and highly commendable. It is not known to the author, that until very lately there existed any Act of Congress requiring a violation of any Christian institution. (Mr. Frelinghuysen's Speech in Senate, p. 5.) The Act of 3d March, 1825, section 11th, makes it the duty of every postmaster to deliver letters, papers, &c. on every day of the week, at all reasonable hours. ( Gordon's Digest. 427.) This is the first statute enacted by Congress, authorizing and requiring a violation of the religion of the country. Congress can rightfully make no change in the religion of the nation; but in this instance, they have enacted, that as far as the mail department of the public business is concerned, there shall no longer exist the established (by law) observance of Sunday. This Act does not leave Christianity in the same situation in which it was, before it was passed. It employs some thousands in desecrating and destroying an institution peculiar to Christianity. It is, therefore, in the judgment of the author, unconstitutional, and ought to be rescinded. Nor is the argument from the alleged necessity of Sunday mails, any better than the constitutional argument. London is the first city on earth for wealth, business and enterprise ; but no mail is opened or closed in it on Sunday. And notwithstanding the immense intercourse between London and Liverpool, no mail leaves the Metropolis for Liverpool, between Saturday evening and Monday morning. (Mr. Frelinghuysen's Speech in the United States' Senate, 8th May, 1830.)

It is mentioned above by the author, that a very suitable concern has, in general, been manifested by the Federal Government, to prevent the desecration of Sunday. The rules and regulations of the Army of the United States, present an instance in point. By Art. 2d of these rules and regulations, which every officer, before he enters on the duties of his office, is required to subscribe: "it is earnestly recommended to all officers and soldiers diligently to attend divine service; and all officers who shall behave indecently or irreve[rently at any place of divine worship, shall, if commissioned officers, he brought before a general court-martial, there to be publicly and severely repremanded by the President; if non-commissioned officers or soldiers, every person so offending, shall for his first offence, forfeit one-sixth of a dollar, to be deducted out of his next pay; for the second offence, he shall not only forfeit a like sum, but be confined twenty-four hours; and for every like offence, shall suffer and pay in like manner." (Act of April 10th, 1806, Sec. 1.) (Gordon's Digest, Art. 3269.) This Art. is taken almost verbatim from the rules and orders" enacted by the Old Congress on the same subject. (See Journal of 30th June, 1775.) Will it be arrogating too much, if the author respectfully asks any military commander into whose hands these pages may come, candidly to examine the bearing which the above regulation may rightfully have upon military reviews held on Sunday, and upon marching on Sunday, when the exigencies of the service do not require it? He is under a belief, that military reviews are quite as common on Sunday as upon any other day of the week. He also within a few weeks observed, with regret, a statement in the newspapers, that certain of our citizens went from the city to a neighbouring island, for the purpose of attending a military review on Sunday.

E.-Page 15.

An examination of the journals of the Old Congress has given results on this subject highly satisfactory which for the sake of method may be thus classed :—

1. Days of humiliation, fasting and prayer. June 7th 1775, “Resolved, that Thursday the 20th of July next, be observed throughout the twelve United Colonies, as a day of humiliation, fasting and prayer." At the same time, a committee was appointed on the subject. June 12th, this committee brought in their report, or proclamation. It occupies an entire page of the journals and concludes thus :-"And it is recommended to Christians of all denominations to assemble for public worship, and to abstain from servile labour and recreation on said day." July 19th.-"Agreed, that the Congress meet at this place tomorrow, and from this place, go in a body to attend Divine service."-March 16th, 1776, Mr. W. Livingston brought in å resolution for appointing a fast in the colonies, on Friday 17th of May. A part of it runs thus:-"That we may with united hearts, confess and bewail our manifold sins and transgressions, and by a sincere repentance and amendment of life, appease his righteous displeasure, and through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ, obtain his pardon and forgiveness." As one motive for recommending this day of fasting &c. Congress say, they are "desirous to have people of all ranks and degrees duly impressed with a solemn sense of God's superintending Providence, and of their duty, devoutly to rely, in all their lawful enterprises, on his aid and direction.” December 9th, 1776, a committee was appointed to prepare a recommendation to the several States, to appoint a similar day. This committee reported on the 11th and on this occasion;-" the Congress in the most earnest manner, recommend to all the members of the United States, and particularly the officers civil and military under them, the exercise of repentance and reformation; and further require of them the strict observation of the articles of war, and particularly that part of the said articles which forbids profane swearing and all immorality, of which all such officers are desired to take notice." See Journals for June 30th 1775.-February 27th, and March 7th, 1778;-a similar day, (22d April,) is recommended. A part of the recommendation runs thus :-"that at one time and with one voice, the inhabitants may acknowledge the righteous dispensations of Divine Providence, and confess their iniquities and transgressions for which the land mourneth; that they may implore the mercy and forgiveness of God; and beseech him that vice, profaneness, extortion and every evil may be done away; and that we may be a reformed and happy people; that it may please him to bless our schools and seminaries of learning, and make them nurseries of true piety, virtue and useful knowledge."-March 20th, 1779, a similar recommendation, a part of which is thus :-"that Almighty God will be pleased to avert those impending calamities which we have but too well deserved; that he will grant us his grace to repent of our sins, and amend our lives according to his holy word; that he will grant us patience in suffering and fortitude in adversity; that he will inspire us with humility, moderation and gratitude in prosperous circumstances; that he will diffuse usefal knowledge, extend the influence of true religion, and give us that peace of mind, which the world cannot give."-March 11th, 1780, is a proclamation for another fast, which in part is thus :-"that we may with one heart and one voice, implore the Sovereign Lord of heaven and earth to remember mercy in his judgments; to make us sincerely penitent for our transgressions; to banish vice and irreligion from among us, and establish virtue and piety by his Divine grace," &c.—March 20th, 1781, another recommendation of the same kind running in part thus :-"that we may, with united hearts, confess and bewail our

manifold sins and transgressions, and by sincere repentance and amendment of life, appease his righteous displeasure, and through the merits of our blessed Saviour, obtain pardon and forgiveness; that it may please him to inspire our rulers with incorruptible integrity, and to direct and prosper their councils; that it may please him to bless all schools and seminaries of learning, and to grant, that truth, justice and benevolence, and pure and undefiled religion may universally prevail."-March 19th, 1782, another similar proclamation; a part is thus :-"The United States in Congress assembled, think it their indispensable duty to call upon the several States, to set apart the last Thursday in April next as a day of fasting, humiliation and prayer, that our joint supplications may then ascend to the Throne of the Ruler of the Universe, beseeching Him to diffuse a spirit of universal reformation among all ranks and degrees of our citizens; and make us a holy, so that we may be a happy people; that it would please him to impart wisdom, integrity and unanimity to our counsellors; that he would protect the health and life of our Commander in Chief; that he would take under his guardianship all schools and seminaries of learning, and make them nurseries of virtue and piety; that he would incline the hearts of all men to peace, and fill them with universal charity and benevolence, and that the religion of our Divine Redeemer, with all its benign influences, may cover the earth as the waters cover the seas. 29

2. Days of thanksgiving, gratitude and praise. Journals, Oct. 31st, and Nov. 1st, 1777; it is recommended "to the several States, to set apart a day for thanksgiving, for the signal success lately obtained over the enemies of these United States." After saying that "it is the indispensable duty of all men to adore the superintending Providence of Almighty God; to acknowledge with gratitude their obligation to him for benefits received, &c. the document "sets apart the 18th of December, for solemn thanksgiving and praise,” and proceeds thus :-"that with one heart and one voice, the good people may express the grateful feelings of their hearts, and consecrate themselves to the service of their Divine Benefactor; and that together with their sincere acknowledgments and offerings, they may join the penitent confession of their manifold sins, whereby they had forfeited every favor, and their humble and earnest supplication that it may please God, through the merits of Jesus Christ, mercifully to forgive and blot them out of remembrance; to take schools and seminaries of education, so necessary for cultivating the principles of true liberty, virtue and piety, under his nurturing hand, and to prosper the means of religion for the promotion and enlargement of that kingdom which consisteth in righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost." See also Journals of Nov. 7th, 1777.-Nov. 7th, and 17th, 1778, a similar recommendation -Oct. 14th and 20th, 1779, a similar recom mendation. The preamble of which after enumerating various causes of national thankfulness, says; "and above all, that he hath diffused the glorious light of the Gospel, whereby, through the merits of our gracious Redeemer, we may become the heirs of his eternal glory.” The resolution, after appointing the 9th of December as "a day of public and solemn thanksgiving to Almighty God for his mercies, and of prayer for the continuance of his favor and protection to these United States," proceeds :-"that he would grant to his church the plentiful effusions of Divine grace, and pour out his Holy Spirit on all Ministers of the Gospel; that he would bless and prosper the means of education, and spread the light of Christian knowledge through the remotest corners of the earth; that he would in mercy look down upon us, pardon our sins and receive us into his favour, and finally, that he would establish the independence of these United States upon the basis of religion and virtue."-Oct. 18th, 1780, another document of similar import. The last of the