"We see, in many a land, the proudest dynasties and tyrannies still crushing, with their mountain weight, every free motion of the Consciences and hearts of men. We see, on the other hand, the truest heroism for the right and the greatest devotion to the Truth in hearts that God has touched. We have a work to do, as great as our forefathers and, perhaps, far greater. The enemies of Truth are more numerous and subtle than ever and the needs of the Church are greater than at any preceding time. If we are not debtors to the present, then men were never debtors to their age and their time. Brethren, we are debtors to the hour in which we live. Oh, that we might stamp it with Truth and that God might help us to impress upon its wings some proof that it has not flown by neglected and unheeded." -- C.H. Spurgeon . . . "If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." John 8:31, 32 . . . . .

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Thursday, December 24, 2009

The Humble King & The Little Drummer Boy

 ~~By James Fire

Some of you may recall after reading an article from FROM The MIND of FIRE that one of my favorite Christmas Carols is JOY to the WORLD. Well, another favorite of mine is The LITTLE DRUMMER Boy.

“Why?” you ask.
Well let’s set the stage first: Can we know that this carol is in any way factual? Perhaps not, although caravans, like the one that those Wise Man had, often used ‘drummer boys’ to lead them, beating on their drums in order to keep time in the march. Journeys were often arduous and most difficult, and it was easy in fatigue to lose one’s step. So these little guys were employed, sometimes for a mere pittance or a free meal, to lead caravans.

Whether or not there actually was a little drummer boy at the scene, it really doesn’t matter as the story itself illustrates some significant truths (although I harbor a belief that there really was; so call me a romantic already!).
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Monday, December 21, 2009

The MOTHER of HARLOTS EMERGES – Part 4b


~~ by James Fire

We now pick up where we left off in the previous article in this series, and will wrap it up. To recap what was covered in The MOTHER of HARLOTS EMERGES - Part 4a, let's address an issue discussed by Emergent Church leader, Brian McLaren on the subject of the kingdom of heaven, and what Jesus meant by this term.

Mr. McLaren claims that Jesus’ mission was NOT to show us the way to heaven after we die, but to show us how we can live the kingdom of heaven right now on this Earth: 

View this assertion he made here:
Brian McLaren's Take on the Kingdom of God

Jesus emphatically stated that the way to heaven and our Father who dwells there, is through Him and Him alone (JOHN 14:6); everywhere in the New Testament, which Mr. McLaren claims he’s based his assertions on, we see that the Kingdom of heaven is inaugurated, NOT by His church, or through the actions and plans of Christians, or by a global religious movement, but by the LORD Christ Jesus Himself:  MATT 24:30-31; MARK 8:38; LUKE 18:8; 2 THESS 1:7-10.

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Saturday, December 19, 2009

The MOTHER of HARLOTS EMERGES – Part 4-a


~~ by James Fire

In the previous articles (parts 1-3) we delved into various aspects of the “Mother of Harlots” that is, the one world religious body as prophesied in REVELATION 17, and how different ecclesial forces are melding together. Two of the primary forces that are acting as catalysts for the emergence of the Mother are the Roman Catholic Church and the Emergent Church Movement.

There is a third force as well, one that has been a part of our society for about thirty years, the New Age Movement (more often today referred to as the New Spirituality).You will find that as you read the writings of New Age leaders and their Emergent Church counterparts, what they have to say on particular matters is virtually identical.

Some therefore conclude that the ECM is simply the New Age Movement dressed in evangelical clothes, while still denying the fundamentals of the faith (The New Age Movement is likewise old ‘Babylon-ish’ occult technique dressed up as well as 'cutting edge' spirituality).

The difference is that New Age dogma used to be a fringe element in our society; today Emergent church beliefs and practices are quickly becoming a majority voice: a kind of spiritual tsunami sweeping over the landscape, and it will wreak ruin and destruction for fundamental, biblical Christianity as far as its overt presence and viability where this nation is concerned.
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Monday, December 14, 2009

What does Israel really think of Obama Policies?

by A.M. Kisly

I received some very interesting news today regarding an enormous protest rally that took place in the streets of Jerusalem.

I don’t know about you, but I didn’t here about this through our national news media. I think it’s important enough to post.
According to Israel News Network, there was a large scale rally against the United States Polices with regards to Israel.

The protest was held in downtown Jerusalem organized by various residents and committees of Binyamin and Samaria and others.
Watch: Thousands Attend Anti-Freeze Rally

According to this report, “Not since the days of [U.S. Secretary of State Henry] Kissinger has there been such a protest against American policies,” said MK Yaakov Katz (Ketzaleh), chairman of the National Union party.

“The pressure that Barack Hussein Obama is exerting against us to simply stop growing, and stop living will not work.”
 

The Obama administration has made it clear that Israel must stop building of all types throughout Judea and Samaria, as well as in parts of Israel’s capital city that were liberated during the Six Day War of 1967.

In foreign policy, President Barack Obama has demonstrated a disturbing propensity to curry favor with Israel’s adversaries at the expense of her friends.
The Czechs and Poles are rightly concerned that they will be sacrificed on the altar of better U.S. relations with Russia.

And the Israelis fear that the Obama administration’s desired opening to the Muslim world will be achieved at their expense. Mr. Obama’s attempted bullying of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is a case in point.
Mr. Netanyahu was sworn in as Israel’s prime minister on March 31. Shortly thereafter, the Obama administration confronted Israel’s new leader in a very public way regarding Israeli settlements in the West Bank, an area partially controlled by the Palestinian National Authority. 

This was an extremely unusual way for an American president to greet the new leader of a liberal democracy that’s a close ally of the U.S.
The Obama administration was not satisfied with a series of understandings crafted by the Bush administration that, while not freezing settlements, had nonetheless achieved a significant reduction in settlement construction.

During a May press conference with the Egyptian foreign minister, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton announced that Mr. Obama “wants to see a stop to settlements-not some settlements, not outposts, not natural-growth exceptions.”


Subsequently, Mr. Obama demanded that Israel freeze construction in east Jerusalem. Of course, Mr. Netanyahu rejected Mr. Obama’s demand. He declared that Jerusalem is an open, undivided city “that has no separation according to religion or national affiliation.”

Mr. Netanyahu added that “we cannot accept the idea that Jews will not have the right to live and purchase in all parts of Jerusalem.”
If Jews were prohibited from buying property in New York, London, Paris or Rome, there would be an international outcry. Why, Mr. Netanyahu wondered, should the standard be different for Jerusalem?

Mr. Obama is woefully wrong if he believes that his confrontational style will provide an incentive for the Palestinians and the members of the Arab League to resolve the Arab-Israeli dispute. It will simply reinforce the long-standing Arab belief that the U.S. can “deliver” Israel if it only has the will to do so, thereby reducing Arab incentives to make concessions in direct negotiations with Israel.
As if on cue, Mahmoud Abbas, the leader of the Palestinian National Authority, announced that he would not negotiate on any issue with the new Israeli government until Mr. Obama’s settlement conditions are met.

In addition to the building freeze in Jerusalem and the West Bank, Mr. Abbas insisted on four other unilateral, non-negotiable concessions:
First, an independent Palestinian state; second, that Israel pulls back to its pre-June 1967 borders, minus a Palestinian land bridge between the West Bank and the Gaza Strip; third, a Palestinian “right of return” to Israel; and fourth, resolution of all permanent status issues on the basis of the 2002 Abdullah plan calling on Arabs to normalize relations with Israel in return for Israel’s withdrawal to its pre-1967 borders.

The “right of return,” in particular, is a non-starter.
If Mr. Obama seeks a Palestinian Arab state, he is going about it the wrong way. The fact is that Mr. Netanyahu has endorsed a two-state solution and an end to the expansion of settlements in the West Bank—as long as the Palestinians accept Israel as a legitimate Jewish state and cannot militarily threaten it.

Israel has been willing to accept a two-state solution since the United Nations partition resolution for Palestine in 1947, but the Arabs have refused. They are not interested in creating a separate Palestinian Arab state but in destroying Israel as a Jewish state.
The Obama approach in the Middle East is predicated on what might be called the Arab “grievance narrative,” which holds that Israel was created as a result of Western guilt about the Holocaust.

It is also based on the idea that, as the president suggested in his Cairo speech, there is moral equivalence between the Holocaust and Palestinian “dislocation.”
Such language illustrates an inability to make distinctions. Arabs launched a war against Jewish self-determination and the state of Israel long before any Israeli “occupation” of their lands.

When Israel seized land in a defensive war, it was the Arabs, not the Israelis, who kept Palestinian “refugees” in limbo for three generations to await Israel’s destruction.
As Mr. Netanyahu reminded Mr. Obama after the latter’s Cairo speech, the Arab claim that Israel was a land grab by the great powers to salve the collective conscience of the West after the Holocaust is a slander.

On the contrary, he observed, Israel’s right to its homeland rests on the longstanding historical connection of the Jewish people to the land of Israel. This right was ratified by the unanimous and legitimizing votes of the League of Nations and the U.N. Security Council’s permanent members, and validated by over 60 years of Israel’s successful, democratic statehood.


Israel’s “right to exist” was expressed best by Israeli diplomat Abba Eban in 1981. He wrote, “Israel’s right to exist, like that of the United States, Saudi Arabia, and 152 other states, is axiomatic and unreserved. Israel’s legitimacy is not suspended in midair, awaiting acknowledgment. . . .

There is certainly no other state, big or small, young or old, that would consider mere recognition of its ‘right to exist’ a favor, or a negotiable concession.”
Mr. Netanyahu might also have added that Israel’s control of the West Bank (territory that should properly be called “disputed” rather than “occupied”), was the result of defeating the Arab powers who initiated the Six Day War of 1967.

The status of aggressors and defenders is not interchangeable. Neither is the status of victorious powers and defeated ones.
Nonetheless, Israel has taken unilateral steps toward peace, steps not reciprocated by the Palestinians. When Israel unilaterally disengaged from the Gaza Strip, dismantling 21 settlements and displacing over 9,000 residents, it conducted the most comprehensive test of the “land for peace” concept in the history of Israeli-Palestinian relations.

Yet Israel was rewarded with the creation of a terrorist enclave governed by Hamas, rather than the peaceful, responsible neighbor Israel would need in order to accept a Palestinian Arab state.
Unlike Hamas, the corrupt Palestinian National Authority that holds sway in the West Bank has nominally accepted Israel’s right to exist but has never given up the “right of return” for Palestinian “refugees.”

That right, if implemented, would mean the end of Israel’s existence.
Peace between the Israelis and the Palestinians requires compromises on both sides. U.S. pressure on Israel, without any on the Palestinians, will not achieve the desired outcome. Earlier this summer, the president justified his decision to downplay even rhetorical support for the Iranian protesters who rose up against their government and its fraudulent election. He did not wish the U.S. to appear to be “meddling” in Iranian affairs.
He apparently feels no similar constraint when it comes to Israel.
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Wednesday, December 9, 2009

DO ALL RELIGIONS OF THE WORLD REACH THE SAME GOD?

by Anne Kisly

All roads do not reach the same God, nor lead to heaven!

Since religious truth claims are objective, then the belief all roads lead to heaven is contradictory. Here is why. If all roads lead to heaven then all belief systems are true.

This has three major problems:

1. If all views are true then Christianity is true. The Christian belief Jesus is the only way to heaven and all other religions are false is therefore true. This contradicts the belief all roads lead to heaven. On the other hand if the statement Jesus is the only way is false, then Christianity doesn’t lead to heaven, contradicting all roads lead to heaven.

2. All roads cannot lead to heaven because the core beliefs or the central doctrines of all worldviews contradict each other. Let’s look at a few examples.
  • Christianity teaches you cannot get to heaven by doing good. Islam teaches you must do good to get to heaven. These views are contradictory and both cannot be true at the same time. 
  • God is personal or God is impersonal. Christianity and Hinduism cannot both be true. 
  • Christianity says Jesus bodily rose from the dead. All other religions deny this event. Both cannot be true. 
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Monday, December 7, 2009

CHRISTIANITY SPREADING IN MUSLIM COUNTRIES

by A.M. Kisly

There are two ministries that I would like to introduce to our readers this week: The Lehore Bible Institute; and Compassion Ministries.


The reasons I have for sharing these ministries with you are many, but I will narrow them to just a few.


First and foremost, I am sharing this with you because the Lord has laid this upon my heart and it is my honor and privilege to do so.
Secondly, I hope to encourage you in the work of the LORD. As we peruse the website links and watch the video that I have posted, we will be able to see the fruit of these ministries through the lives of those who have so sacrificially laid them down for others.

 It is miraculous, amazing, inspiring and well worth sharing. Also just seeing the joy of the Lord on the faces of those who are receiving salvation and the love of Jesus Christ not only encourages us, but is a wonderful look at the power of God to change lives.


Third, I would ask that you pray for all of your brothers and sisters serving and living in Pakistan. As you know, Pakistan is a Muslim country and home to Islamic Terrorist groups, such as the Taliban.

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Saturday, December 5, 2009

The MOTHER of HARLOTS EMERGES – Part Three


~~ By James Fire

We now pick up where we left off from Part Two of the article, The MOTHER of HARLOTS EMERGES . . .

Where we left off previously Roger Oakland was dealing with the subject of the mystical fathers of the Catholic church and the credence given to such authorities, versus the authority of scripture alone.

Roger Oakland documents many cases in which those who were formerly Protestant, had since become Roman Catholic after reading and studying from the church fathers and mystics – Catholics all.

As he himself stated in regards to the so-called wisdom of these men:

“We know that God’s Word is light. When we replace the Word of God with the words of man, which are considered to bring enlightenment, we have a perfect formula for returning to darkness (emphasis mine). The early mystics added ideas to Christianity that cannot be found in the Bible—a recipe for spiritual detriment. Pg. 79

See JUDE 1:4

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Saturday, November 28, 2009

The MOTHER of HARLOTS EMERGES – Part Two


~~ By James Fire

In the previous segment of this article we examined how evangelical Christianity has allied itself with Roman Catholicism through such agreements as Evangelicals and Catholics Together (E.C.T.) and such movements as Promise Keepers; these were used to unite both in social and moral objectives such as commitment to marriage and family, pro-life, anti-pornography, Drug-free America, etc. To share the common bond of Christian religion for the purpose of evangelizing the lost, but not Roman Catholics (though the RCC has objectives to convert evangelicals, as we shall see).

In more recent times there has emerged another movement that is a bit more covert in its operations, but nonetheless is intent on compromising biblical Christians with the same fundamentals as found in Roman Catholicism; a melding if you will of that which was once faithful to the LORD Jesus Christ and His inerrant Word but has now become increasingly apostate with a consenting conglomeration of ecclesial authority for global religion. Of course the Roman Catholic Church will spear head such a world wide endeavor and consider herself its undisputed leader.

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Friday, November 27, 2009

The MOTHER of HARLOTS EMERGES - Part One

~~ by James Fire

In this article we will look at a document that was established in March of ’94 called the E.C.T. (Evangelicals and Catholics Together) and associated organizations whose goals are the same. While this is a document over twenty years old, it still has profound implications for the future of our nation, and the world at large.

We will also consider how the Emergent Church Movement is likewise compromising evangelical, Bible-based Christianity to conform to ideas, thoughts and beliefs that are more in line with Roman Catholicism than they are with scripture.

Also, we’ll see how both elements are effectually working together to germinate that which is seen in scripture as The MOTHER of HARLOTS as found in REVELATION 17, will be addressed.

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Friday, November 20, 2009

VOCABULARY 101

~ by A.M. Kisly

POLITICAL CORRECTNESS DOES NOT EQUAL TRUTH BY DEFINITION


There is a Hal Lindsey Report posted at the top of this website. I hope you will watch it in its entirety, because it deals with the issue of political correctness taking over every aspect of life. As believers, it is important to hold true to our Christian Worldview as opposed to the New World Views being pushed at us by those who have embraced "CHANGE".

 Black
is not white; red is not green; the sky is not orange and TRUTH cannot be changed to fit a political agenda.
Since so many of our "so-called" leaders, teachers, and educated news media feed us a constant diet of "UNTRUTHS", I thought it would help us to look at the definitions of a couple of words.

I am just fed up with the BRAIN WASHING of society. According to: The Free Dictionary POLITICALLY CORRECT adj. Abbr. PC 1. Of, relating to, or supporting broad social, political, and educational change, especially to redress historical injustices in matters such as race, class, gender, and sexual orientation. 2. Being or perceived as being over concerned with such change, often to the exclusion of other MORE IMPORTANT matters.

According to: Webster’s American Dictionary of the English Language 1828
TRUTH 1.Conformity to fact or reality; exact accordance with that which is, or has been, or shall be. The truth of history constitutes its whole value. We rely on the truth of the scriptural prophecies. My mouth shall speak truth. Proverbs 8 Sanctify them through thy truth; thy word is truth. John 17 2.True state of facts or things. The duty of a court of justice is to discover the truth. Witnesses are sworn to declare the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. 3.Conformity of words to thoughts, which is called moral truth. (Shall truth fail to keep her word? Milton) 4.Veracity; purity from falsehood; practice of speaking truth; habitual disposition to speak truth; as when we say, a man is a man of truth. 5.Correct opinion. 6.Fidelity; constancy. 7.Honesty; virtue. 8.Exactness; conformity to rule. 9.Real fact or just principle; real state of things. There are innumerable truths with which we are not acquainted. 10.Sincerity. (God is a spirit, and they that worship him must worship in spirit and in truth. John 4) 11.The truth of God, in his veracity and faithfulness. (Psalm 71) Or his revealed will. I have walked in thy truth. (Psalm 26) 12.Jesus Christ is called the truth. (John 14) 13.It is sometimes used by way of concession. (She said, truth, Lord; yet the dogs eat of the crumbs. Matthew 15) That is, it is a truth; what you have said, I admit to be true. 14.In truth, in reality; in fact. 15.Of a truth, in reality; certainly. 16.To do a truth, is to practice what God commands. John 3 There you have it in plain English! Let's not be duped into the NEW WORLD VIEW being imposed upon us. Stick to the TRUTH, especially where it concerns our Christian values.
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The Copenhagen Treaty Explained

~ by A.M. Kisly

PRE-SUPPOSITIONS IT EMPLOYS TO DEMAND ESTABLISHMENT OF ONE-WORLD GOVERNMENT


In this month’s newsletter from Olive Tree Ministries, Jan Markell writes about Globalism and the upcoming United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen. For those who are not familiar with this upcoming disaster, this U.N. Treaty will trump our Constitution.

 Hard to believe, but America is rushing into Marxism with breathtaking speed.
She writes, “A few months ago Barack Obama said to the U.N. General Assembly, “We have learned to be citizens of the world, members of the human community.”

 Let’s clarify that statement as Obama is saying that America is just another country with no moral basis for world leadership. Further, in his America-bashing around the world in just less than a year, he has implied or stated firmly that America is flawed, so inherently sinful, that it cannot be trusted with, and does not merit the possession of overarching world power.”

“Furthering this road map to the one-world Socialist system be aware that in mid-December the “2009 United Nations’ Climate Change Conference will be held in Copenhagen.” Many who have read the treaty to be signed at that meeting suggest that the purpose of it is really global government.

 Global warming and climate change will just be the vehicles used and most every nation, including America is represented by Barack Obama will sign it. It advocates transferring the wealth from rich countries to the poor.”


I did some research into these claims, and will present you with the astonishing information I have found. Again, we must be aware of what is going on so that we can be effective in our actions as well as in our prayers.

As astounding as it may sound, this treaty will trump our Constitution! Because of that, if America is really to participate, the U.S. Senate must ratify it. The current Senate is a lackey to every left-wing cause in America and the world. The "scheme for the new institutional arrangement under the Convention" that starts on page 18 contains the provision for a "government."

The aim is to give a new as yet unnamed U.N. body the power to directly intervene in the financial, economic, tax and environmental affairs of all the nations that sign the Copenhagen treaty. This treaty appears to have been subject to unusual attempts to conceal its convoluted contents. And apart from the difficulty of trying to decipher the U.N. verbiage, there are plenty of draft clauses described as "alternatives" and "options" that should raise the ire of free and democratic countries concerned about preserving their sovereignty.

 Lord Monckton said "this is the first time I've ever seen any transnational treaty referring to a new body to be set up under that treaty as a 'government.' But it's the powers that are going to be given to this entirely unelected government that are so frightening." He added: "The sheer ambition of this new world government is enormous right from the start—that's even before it starts accreting powers to itself in the way that these entities inevitably always do."

The Copenhagen Treaty Explained — Part I
Legal analysis John Charlton (Nov. 9, 2009) — Last month Lord Christopher Monckton, former science adviser for the English Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, warned that the proposed text of the Copenhagen Treaty on Climate Change was the vehicle for international marxists to establish a one-world Marxist government.

 Interest in this dire warning has bloomed over the internet and remains a daily leader in those arriving at The Post & Email through search engines. For this reason The Post & Email will feature a detailed analysis of the treaty text. Background to the Treaty First it must be understood that presently there is no such treaty; but there are several proposals on a Climate protection treaty, which were unveiled at the recent Copenhagen Conference on Climate Change, which proposals would be for a treaty signed by the members states of the United Nations as a binding document on each of them. 

 China and India have already indicated that they are not in favor of such world-wide strictures. The actual conference in Copenhagen was held on September 15 at Copenhagen, Denmark. It was only one meeting in a series of meetings which have and will be held on Climate Change. The working document is termed “The Framework Convention on Climate Change“, and the recent version was approved by the “Ad-Hoc working Group on Long-Term Cooperative Action” under the U.N. Convention, at Bonn, Germany, Aug. 10-14, 2009.

 The current, 181-page document is only a draft, and is not binding. It is currently available from What’s Up with This Blog, in PDF format (2.4 MB). [I would suggest you save it to your hard drive before it is erased from the internet.] A General Outline of the Working Document First let’s merely take a quick look at the contents of the document, to get an idea of its “geography”.

 The table of contents contains the following headers:

 I. INTRODUCTION Annexes I. A SHARED VISION FOR LONG-TERM COOPERATIVE ACTION

 II. ENHANCED ACTION ON ADAPTATION AND ITS MEANS OF IMPLEMENTATION

 III. ENHANCED ACTION ON MITIGATION A. Mitigation [commitments] by [developed country Parties] B. Nationally appropriate mitigation actions by developing countries. C. Policy approaches and positive incentives on issues relating to reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation in developing countries; and the role of conservation, sustainable management of forests and enhancement of forest carbon stocks in developing countries. D. Cooperative sectoral approaches and sector-specific actions E. Economic and social consequences of response measures

 IV. ENHANCED ACTION ON THE PROVISION OF FINANCIAL RESOURCES AND INVESTMENT V. ENHANCED ACTION ON DEVELOPMENT AND TRANSFER OF TECHNOLOGY VI. CAPACITY-BUILDING VII. CROSS-CUTTING PROPOSALS RELATED TO STRUCTURE AND PLACEMENT We shall see from a detailed analysis of the proposal that “enhanced” means “forced”, “shared” means “imposed”, and that “provision” and “transfer” means “forced tax” and “theft”.

 Now let’s take a closer look at the structure of each section. Note that text in square brackets represents proposed alterations or versions of each sentence. In this Part I, we will consider merely the presuppositions invoke to justify the Document’s existence. 

I. A SHARED VISION FOR LONG-TERM COOPERATIVE ACTION
Essential to this notion of cooperative action is the principles upon which the action is deemed necessary. However, the principles are based on historical revisionism of the first caliber, combined with pseudo-science, a result which ends up being a new religious creed. Here are just some of the resolutions/principles upon which the “Shared Vision” is based.

 First, the intention is to establish world-wide control of the human race at new levels. PP.6. Intending to renew and strengthen the global partnership through the creation of new levels of cooperation among Parties, according to the principles of the Convention. Second, requirement to accept the “Shared Vision” as governmental policy in all members states: PP.7 Affirming a Shared Vision of a long-term goal to equitably, successfully and coherently integrate the ambitious efforts of all Parties.

Notice the words “equitably” and “successfully”, and how they will be used further down in the document. Third, the aim of the proposed Treaty will be the imposition of the Sustainable Development world-view, one which Mr. DeWeese, in his interview with The Post & Email, clearly indicated was the intentional destruction of Western Civilization:

 PP.8 [Recognizing that] sustainable development is the first priority for developing countries. Therefore, [that] our commitment to a low carbon society would have to be linked to our development priorities, in accordance with the provisions of the Convention. Then, that the proposed Treaty will oblige member states “fully”; “fully” is clearly a word that can have dictatorial and tyrannical significance, since it implies without holding-back, or without limitations: PP.10 [Emphasizing that] it is fundamental that Annex I countries comply fully with the provisions as set out in 4.3, 4.4, and 4.5 as well as additional commitments on technology transfer and capacity-building.

 Then comes the point which belies the proposed Treaty as a political game, which is intended to hamper the leading economic powers (USA for example), in favor of the majority of member states: PP.11 [Further emphasizing that] a shared vision does not include commitments for developing countries. It does, entitle technology transfer, capacity-building and financial resources for project implementation regarding mitigation national programs.

 The next point, rehashes Al Gore’s Big-Fib that sea levels will rise so significantly that entire nations and cities will disappear: PP.12 [Recognizing that sustainable development that ensures capacity for] [A shared vision recognizes that] [adaptation to the adverse effects of climate change is the most important issue for] [the most vulnerable countries are] all developing countries, [particularly] low-lying and other small island countries, countries with low-lying coastal, arid and semi-arid areas or areas liable to floods, drought and desertification, and developing countries with fragile mountainous ecosystems are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change, [as stated in preambular text 19 of the UNFCCC]. 

 The next point, openly says that the Treaty’s purpose will be to control the world economy by controlling how individuals and corporations and governments invest their monies: PP.13 Recognizing that current and potential climate change impacts require a shift in the global investment patterns and that criteria for financing allocation shall clearly respond to the priorities identified by the international community, with climate change stabilization being one of these priorities.

You cannot have such control, without taxes, tariffs, subsidies, and the diminution of free market principles. Next, we move into the pure realm of science-fantasy, where all CO2 has resulted from industrialization, and not biological processes:

 PP.14 Acknowledging that current atmospheric concentrations are principally the result of historical emissions of greenhouse gases, the most significant share of which has originated in developed countries. Then, we move into the pure realm of historical revisionism, in which all the alleged excess CO2 (no excess has been proven) has resulted from 150 years of activity, when it is a known fact that China and India have dumped considerable quantities of pollutants into the atmosphere in just the last 20 years:

 PP.15 Further acknowledging, that developed countries have a historical responsibility for their disproportionate contribution to the causes and consequences of climate change, reflecting their disproportionate historical use of a shared global carbon space since 1850 as well as their proposed continuing disproportionate use of the remaining global carbon space. To hold that some coal-gas plant that burnt coal in the 1890’s may have actually contributed to current levels of CO2 is patently laughable, since it could only be reasonably sustained by assuming there are no natural processes for removing 130 year old CO2 from the atmosphere — as if there are no green plants on land, or plankton in the oceans!

 When you have to justify a document on mythological assertions, you really cannot defend yourself against the claim of your critics that you have no leg to stand on. In the next 10+ pages the working document lists the proposed text of the items of the Shared Vision, as they are to be implemented.

HOW THIS “SHARED VISION” WILL BE IMPLEMENTED


 When you see that the “Shared Vision” has nothing to do with “sharing” the responsibility, you will understand better what the Copenhagen conference was all about. This is spelled out in the next 10+ pages, wherein the working document lists the proposed text and changes to the current accepted text. While most of these regurgitate the principles just mentioned above, some flesh out the nastiness of what is being proposed: Here is a collection of just a few paragraphs.

 From pp. 7-8: Deep cuts [by developed countries] [by all Annex I country Parties] [by all developed countries] in global emissions by Parties in accordance with their historical responsibilities, as well as the principles of equity and common but differentiated responsibilities, and realistic changes in emission patterns [will be] [are urgently] required to prevent dangerous interference with the climate system and achieve the ultimate objective of the Convention.

 Notice, there is a “Shared Vision” that “deep cuts” are not going to be “shared”, but based upon the unfounded claim that the industrialized nations are principally at fault, because of what they have been doing for a century. 

 Next, from p. 9, when have the threat, that if developed nations don’t act to implement deep cuts on themselves that they will be responsible for larger outlays of financing for developed nations in the future:

 9. The shared vision for long-term cooperative action recognizes the strong link between adaptation and mitigation as well as the cross-cutting role played by financing, technology transfer and capacity building. Failure to implement ambitious and immediate mitigation actions by developed countries will increase the need for adaptation in developing countries and therefore for financial support.

At the same time, increased financial support and technology transfer to developing countries will help these countries in their implementation Note the implicit assumption that the activities of developed nations only harm developing nations; and that those of developing nations don’t harm developed nations.

 This is an essential, unwritten premise of the document, to justify world-government, and unilateral financial and technological transfers from rich to poor countries. Then the not-so-veiled insistence, on p. 10, on One-World Government as the solution to the “climate problem”:

 20. In order to fulfill this shared vision, Parties have agreed to establish a coherent, cohesive and integrated system of financial and technology transfer mechanisms under the Convention and a follow-up/compliance mechanism.

These institutions are robust and effective. “Robust” means “authoritative and powerful”, and “effective” means “obligatory and penal.” That is the description of a governmental body which has authority over the entire world and every aspect of human life. Then comes a reiteration of the 4 points of the failed Bali Plan, which the Bush administration opposed.

INSANE CONTROL OF BIOSPHERE PROPOSED
 

 Then the document proposes the attempt to control the world environment itself, as if man could even do this: Alternative to paragraphs 26–27: 

 [The objective of this Agreement is to achieve an environmentally sound response to climate change through effective implementation of the Convention, with a view to achieving its ultimate objective as provided in its Article 2, by:

 (a) stabilizing atmospheric greenhouse gases at 450 parts per million carbon dioxide equivalent or lower, through unified long-term action that sets the world on a path by which global GHG emissions peak by [X] and then global GHG emissions reduce by [X] per cent by [X] on [X] levels; and

 (b) galvanizing greater attention and efforts towards adaptation at all levels to minimize the adverse impacts of climate change, to assist in You know the authors of the document are insane and irrational and power-hungry, when they propose an arbitrary level (equivalent to some pre-historical levels) as a rule to be held to: as if man alone could control this.

ONE-WORLD GOVERNMENT PROPOSED


 But the real “meat” of the One-World Government proposals is found in paragraph, on pp. 18-19: 38. The scheme for the new institutional arrangement under the Convention will be based on three basic pillars: government; facilitative mechanism; and financial mechanism, and the basic organization of which will include the following:

 (a) The government will be ruled by the COP with the support of a new subsidiary body on adaptation, and of an Executive Board responsible for the management of the new funds and the related facilitative processes and bodies. The current Convention secretariat will operate as such, as appropriate.

 (b) The Convention’s financial mechanism will include a multilateral climate change fund including five windows: (a) an Adaptation window, (b) a Compensation window, to address loss and damage from climate change impacts, including insurance, rehabilitation and compensatory components, (c) a Technology window; (d) a Mitigation window; and (e) a REDD window, to support a multi-phases process for positive forest incentives relating to REDD actions. (c) The Convention’s facilitative mechanism will include: (a) work programmes for adaptation and mitigation; (b) a long-term REDD process; (c) a short-term technology action plan; (d) an expert group on adaptation established by the subsidiary body on adaptation, and expert groups on mitigation, technologies and on monitoring, reporting and verification; and (e) an international registry for the monitoring, reporting and verification of compliance of emission reduction commitments, and the transfer of technical and financial resources from developed countries to developing countries.

The secretariat will provide technical and administrative support, including a new centre for information exchange. Liberals are claiming Lord Monckton lied, that the word “government” does not occur in the text of the proposal. As you can see from the above paragraphs, esp. (a), that it is the Liberals who have been caught lying on this one. The "scheme for the new institutional arrangement under the Convention" that starts on page 18 contains the provision for a "government."

The aim is to give a new as yet unnamed U.N. body the power to directly intervene in the financial, economic, tax and environmental affairs of all the nations that sign the Copenhagen treaty. This treaty appears to have been subject to unusual attempts to conceal its convoluted contents. And apart from the difficulty of trying to decipher the U.N. verbiage, there are plenty of draft clauses described as "alternatives" and "options" that should raise the ire of free and democratic countries concerned about preserving their sovereignty.

 Lord Monckton said "this is the first time I've ever seen any transnational treaty referring to a new body to be set up under that treaty as a 'government.' But it's the powers that are going to be given to this entirely unelected government that are so frightening."

He added: "The sheer ambition of this new world government is enormous right from the start—that's even before it starts accreting powers to itself in the way that these entities inevitably always do." Because of the length of this article, I will be posting a second article discussing the second half of this proposed “draft” of the U.N. Treaty.

 We are reminded not to be ignorant of Satan’s many devices but to pray, and pray without ceasing. I bring you this information for the purpose of calling the elect to stand and to pray that Satan’s efforts be thwarted. We are not ignorant of God’s prophetic word:

 A one-world government, religion, currency and leader are indeed coming, but in the meantime, we will pray. Our Nation has yet completely abandoned God and Christian values, and it is definitely worth fighting for. 

The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” James 5:16


We do not yet know how this will play out. As this is written, Obama says he may not go to Copenhagen at all. Whether he is there or not, the purpose of Copenhagen will remain: Rush global government. I can only encourage you to continue to pray without ceasing for our great nation. The powers of darkness are trying to consume America.

 Many on the Left are in favor of this. Only the righteous can turn things around – if there is yet time to do so. We must never give up hope, for without hope, the heart grows sick.
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Saturday, November 14, 2009

The WORD-FAITH MOVEMENT: Doctrines of Men or Doctrines of God? (PT. 1)

~ by A.M. Kisly

When did the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ come to mean the promotion of the self-life? I call this, “It’s All About Me” gospel.

Where did Jesus ever say that if any man comes after me, I will fulfill all of your dreams and ambitions? Where does it say in scripture that there will be no pain, no suffering and no poverty? What chapter and verse talks about cashing in our spiritual lottery ticket for heaven on earth, and all of life’s problems simply disappear? Can you quote one passage in Scripture where Jesus, Paul or anyone else used techniques such as imaging and visualization for prayer, or for healing?

I was asked if I would consider writing an article or several articles on the subject of the Word-Faith Movement, by my dear friend and co-author, James Fire. I must confess I haven’t thought much about this Movement, or some of the doctrines they teach for quite a while, but I agreed to doing the research and presenting the information in written articles because of the growing concern I have over what has become of the true disciple of Jesus Christ, and the truth of the GOSPEL MESSAGE.

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Monday, November 2, 2009

NEW INFORMATION ON THE H1N1 VACCINATION - WATCH VIDEO UNDER BREAKING NEWS

~~ by A.M. Kisly  

Absolutely jaw dropping information on vaccine mandates. Whatever you are doing today, PLEASE make time to sit and watch this 3 part video, located at the top of our website under "Breaking News." Watch it, and pass it on. I cannot emphasize enough how important it is for us to do our own research, understand what is going on, and be informed in order to protect our most precious gift, life. 

I understand the fear, confusion and concerns that many of us have been dealing with these past few months, but it is not an excuse to continue with the same ole’ ‘ignorance is bliss’ and ‘trust the untrustworthy’ mentality. Our sheer laziness and apathy are destroying truth, righteousness, justice, freedom, our Christian faith, our families, our society and ourselves.

How long will we stand on the sidelines and say nothing, do nothing, be passive and lukewarm about all that concerns us. I for one will not bow to the IDOLS that the rest of the “world” is bowing to. Dare to be a Daniel!

 Is God’s hand so short that it cannot save? Where have we put our trust? Do we trust big pharmaceuticals, big government, and the liberal news media more than we trust in the MIGHTY HAND OF OUR GOD. Do we know or even recognize his voice anymore? Clearly God speaks through his word to our hearts!

Proverbs 3:5-8
 "Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. (6) In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. (7) Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil. (8) It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones."

Psalm 91
"He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. (2) I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. (3) Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. (4) He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. (5) Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; (6) Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. (7) A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee. (8) Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked. (9) Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation; (10) There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. (11) For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. (12) They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone. (13) Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet. (14) Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. (15) He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him. (16) With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation." 

 For those who are questioning the integrity of thousands of scientists and doctors who have spoken out against the H1N1 vaccine, I can only encourage you to go to the umpteenth degree in researching for yourselves their claims, and opposing the “main stream” push.

Speaking for myself, I am thoroughly disgusted to the core of my being with the continuous onslaught of lies and deceit coming from those who are supposed to have our best interests at heart. I am not anti-vaccine, but pro-safety and pro-life, and that is what this battle is all about! Also, please check out the information provided on the insert script provided by drug manufactures in the H1N1 vaccine packaging.
H1N1 Vaccine Package Insert

 In it you will find the following information, specifically note that this is the extreme opposite of what the government and the media have been reporting to us. We have been told that it is safe and that pregnant women and babies should be the first to be vaccinated. Unbelievable!

8.1 Pregnancy
Pregnancy Category C: Animal reproduction studies have not been conducted with Influenza A (H1N1) 2009 Monovalent Vaccine or AFLURIA. It is also not known whether these vaccines can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman or can affect reproduction capacity. Influenza A (H1N1) 2009 Monovalent Vaccine should be given to a pregnant woman only if clearly needed.

Again, this is not what they have been telling us on the news!
8.3 Nursing Mothers Neither Influenza A (H1N1) 2009 Monovalent Vaccine nor AFLURIA has been evaluated in nursing mothers. It is not known whether Influenza A (H1N1) 2009 Monovalent Vaccine or AFLURIA is excreted in human milk. Because many drugs are excreted in human milk, caution should be exercised when Influenza A (H1N1) 2009 Monovalent Vaccine is administered to a nursing woman.

8.4 Pediatric Use
Neither Influenza A (H1N1) 2009 Monovalent Vaccine nor AFLURIA has been evaluated in children. Safety and effectiveness in the pediatric population have not been established. The multi-dose formulation contains thimerosal, added as a preservative; each 0.5 mL dose contains 24.5 mcg of mercury. (This is five times above the allowable and safe limits according to the Centers for Disease Control.)

13.1 Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility
Neither Influenza A (H1N1) 2009 Monovalent Vaccine nor AFLURIA has been evaluated for carcinogenic or mutagenic potential or for impairment of fertility. We have not been smart enough or brave enough to question those who have obvious hidden agendas, and it is high time we start.
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Saturday, October 31, 2009

Is the Discernment 'Gene' Becoming Recessive in the Body of Christ?

~~by James Fire

I engage in many conversations with my fellow Christians about various issues, not the least of which is the current predicament in the church. I'm speaking about the proliferating doctrines, practices and beliefs that are rampant among Christians that follow popular pastors, televangelists, and authors and other leaders that are not biblically sound.

Too often I get a frown of disapproval, especially if I happen to be 'picking on' a favorite teacher of theirs, and invariably I get the somber warning: "Touch not God's anointed"! This begs the question of, Who is God's anointed?

1 CHRON 16:16-22 indicates that God's anointed are connotatively, the collective nation of Israel, and denotatively, the prophets of Israel.

Strictly speaking then, you can't apply that to any New Testament pastor or teacher; this is not to say that such aren't anointed of God, but that particular admonition is allocated to Israel and her prophets, not the church.

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Friday, October 30, 2009

Election Day: Words From Our Past

~~ by A.M. Kisly

The Reverend Daniel Foster
was born in 1750. He was ordained in 1788 (his father, the Rev. Isaac Foster, preached his ordination), and pastored a church in New Braintree, Massachusetts for many years. Daniel Foster had numerous sermons published, of which copies of five are known to be extant.


In this election sermon, preached before Governor John Hancock, Lieutenant-Governor Samuel Adams, and both houses of the Massachusetts legislature, Rev. Foster provides an exemplary model of a pastor illuminating God's governmental principles for the political leaders of his State.

He lists the duties of magistrates as well as the duties of the people in a Christian country, and details God's design for civil government. Reverend Foster ends his sermon by directly addressing on a personal and individual level John Hancock, Samuel Adams, and the legislators. Foster's sermon is loaded with Biblical wisdom; and he is an excellent example of a minister whose "lips keep knowledge [that] the people should seek the law from his mouth" (Malachi 2:7).


Certainly times have changed drastically since this election sermon took place, but how all the more important it is to heed the words that were spoken. As Christians, it is our privilege and duty not only to pray, but to cast our vote by choosing men of good character, as so eloquently spoken by these our former leaders:


James Garfield

"Now more than ever the people are responsible for the character of their Congress. If that body be ignorant, reckless, and corrupt, it is because the people tolerate ignorance, recklessness, and corruption. If it be intelligent, brave, and pure, it is because the people demand these high qualities to represent them in the national legislature. . . . [I]f the next centennial does not find us a great nation . . . it will be because those who represent the enterprise, the culture, and the morality of the nation do not aid in controlling the political forces.” [James A. Garfield, The Works of James Abram Garfield, Burke Hinsdale, editor (Boston: James R. Osgood and Company, 1883), Vol. II, pp. 486, 489, "A Century of Congress," July, 1877.]

John Adams

We electors have an important constitutional power placed in our hands: we have a check upon two branches of the legislature, as each branch has upon the other two; the power I mean of electing at stated periods, one branch, which branch has the power of electing another. It becomes necessary to every subject then, to be in some degree a statesman: and to examine and judge for himself of the tendencies of political principles and measures. [John Adams, The Papers of John Adams, Robert J. Taylor, ed. (Cambridge: Belknap Press, 1977), Vol. 1, p. 81, from "'U' to the Boston Gazette" written on August 29, 1763.]

Samuel Adams

Let each citizen remember at the moment he is offering his vote that he is not making a present or a compliment to please an individual - or at least that he ought not so to do; but that he is executing one of the most solemn trusts in human society for which he is accountable to God and his country. [Samuel Adams, The Writings of Samuel Adams, Harry Alonzo Cushing, editor (New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1907), Vol. IV, p. 256, in the Boston Gazette on April 16, 1781.] 
Nothing is more essential to the establishment of manners in a State than that all persons employed in places of power and trust be men of unexceptionable characters. The public cannot be too curious concerning the character of public men. [Samuel Adams, The Writings of Samuel Adams, Harry Alonzo Cushing, editor (New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1907), Vol. III, p. 236-237, to James Warren on November 4, 1775.]

Matthias Burnett

Consider well the important trust . . . which God . . . [has] put into your hands. . . . To God and posterity you are accountable for [your rights and your rulers]. . . . Let not your children have reason to curse you for giving up those rights and prostrating those institutions which your fathers delivered to you. . . . [L]ook well to the characters and qualifications of those you elect and raise to office and places of trust. . . . Think not that your interests will be safe in the hands of the weak and ignorant; or faithfully managed by the impious, the dissolute and the immoral. Think not that men who acknowledge not the providence of God nor regard His laws will be uncorrupt in office, firm in defense of the righteous cause against the oppressor, or resolutly oppose the torrent of iniquity. . . . Watch over your liberties and privileges - civil and religious - with a careful eye. [Matthias Burnett, Pastor of the First Baptist Church in Norwalk, An Election Sermon, Preached at Hartford, on the Day of the Anniversary Election, May 12, 1803 (Hartford: Printed by Hudson & Goodwin, 1803), pp. 27-28.]

Frederick Douglass

I have one great political idea. . . . That idea is an old one. It is widely and generally assented to; nevertheless, it is very generally trampled upon and disregarded. The best expression of it, I have found in the Bible. It is in substance, "Righteousness exalteth a nation; sin is a reproach to any people" [Proverbs 14:34]. This constitutes my politics - the negative and positive of my politics, and the whole of my politics. . . . I feel it my duty to do all in my power to infuse this idea into the public mind, that it may speedily be recognized and practiced upon by our people. [Frederick Douglass, The Frederick Douglass Papers, John Blassingame, editor (New Haven: Yale University Press, 1982), Vol. 2, p. 397, from a speech delivered at Ithaca, New York, October 14th, 1852.]

Charles Finney

[T]he time has come that Christians must vote for honest men and take consistent ground in politics or the Lord will curse them. . . . Christians have been exceedingly guilty in this matter. But the time has come when they must act differently. . . . Christians seem to act as if they thought God did not see what they do in politics. But I tell you He does see it - and He will bless or curse this nation according to the course they [Christians] take [in politics]. [Charles G. Finney, Lectures on Revivals of Religion (New York: Fleming H. Revell Company, 1868), Lecture XV, pp. 281-282.]

Francis Grimke

If the time ever comes when we shall go to pieces, it will . . . be . . . from inward corruption - from the disregard of right principles . . . from losing sight of the fact that "Righteousness exalteth a nation, but that sin is a reproach to any people" [Proverbs 14:34]. . . .[T]he secession of the Southern States in 1860 was a small matter with the secession of the Union itself from the great principles enunciated in the Declaration of Independence, in the Golden Rule, in the Ten Commandments, in the Sermon on the Mount. Unless we hold, and hold firmly to these great fundamental principles of righteousness, . . . our Union . . . will be "only a covenant with death and an agreement with hell." [Rev. Francis J. Grimke, from "Equality of Right for All Citizens, Black and White, Alike," March 7, 1909, published in Masterpieces of Negro Eloquence, Alice Moore Dunbar, editor (New York: Dover Publications, Inc., 2000), pp. 246-247.]

Alexander Hamilton
A share in the sovereignty of the state, which is exercised by the citizens at large, in voting at elections is one of the most important rights of the subject, and in a republic ought to stand foremost in the estimation of the law. [Alexander Hamilton, The Papers of Alexander Hamilton, Harold C. Syrett, ed. (New York, Columbia University Press, 1962), Vol III, pp. 544-545.] John Jay Providence has given to our people the choice of their rulers, and it is the duty, as well as the privilege and interest of our Christian nation, to select and prefer Christians for their rulers. [John Jay, The Correspondence and Public Papers of John Jay, Henry P. Johnston, ed. (New York: G.P. Putnams Sons, 1890), Vol. IV, p. 365.] The Americans are the first people whom Heaven has favored with an opportunity of deliberating upon and choosing the forms of government under which they should live. [John Jay, The Correspondence and Public Papers of John Jay, Henry P. Johnston, ed. (New York: G.P. Putnams Sons, 1890), Vol. I, p. 161.]

Thomas Jefferson

The elective franchise, if guarded as the ark of our safety, will peaceably dissipate all combinations to subvert a Constitution, dictated by the wisdom, and resting on the will of the people. [Thomas Jefferson, The Writings of Thomas Jefferson, Albert Bergh, ed. (Washington: Thomas Jefferson Memorial Association, 1903), Vol. 10, p. 235.] [T]he rational and peacable instrument of reform, the suffrage of the people. [Thomas Jefferson, The Works of Thomas Jefferson, Paul Leicester Ford, ed. (New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1905), Vol. 12, p. 136.] [S]hould things go wrong at any time, the people will set them to rights by the peaceable exercise of their elective rights. [Thomas Jefferson, The Works of Thomas Jefferson, Paul Leicester Ford, ed. (New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1905), Vol. 10, p. 245.]

William Paterson

When the righteous rule, the people rejoice; when the wicked rule, the people groan. [Supreme Court Justice William Paterson reminding his fellow justices of Proverbs 29:2. United States Oracle (Portsmouth, NH), May 24, 1800.] William Penn Governments, like clocks, go from the motion men give them; and as governments are made and moved by men, so by them they are ruined too. Wherefore governments rather depend upon men than men upon governments. Let men be good and the government cannot be bad. . . . But if men be bad, let the government be never so good, they will endeavor to warp and spoil it to their turn. 

. . .[T]hough good laws do well, good men do better; for good laws may want [lack] good men and be abolished or invaded by ill men; but good men will never want good laws nor suffer [allow] ill ones.
[William Penn quoted from: Thomas Clarkson, Memoirs of the Private and Public Life of William Penn (London: Richard Taylor and Co., 1813) Vol. I, p.303.]

Daniel Webster

Impress upon children the truth that the exercise of the elective franchise is a social duty of as solemn a nature as man can be called to perform; that a man may not innocently trifle with his vote; that every elector is a trustee as well for others as himself and that every measure he supports has an important bearing on the interests of others as well as on his own. [Daniel Webster, The Works of Daniel Webster (Boston: Little, Brown, and Company, 1853), Vol. II, p. 108, from remarks made at a public reception by the ladies of Richmond, Virginia, on October 5, 1840.]

Noah Webster

In selecting men for office, let principle be your guide. Regard not the particular sect or denomination of the candidate - look to his character. . . . When a citizen gives his suffrage to a man of known immorality he abuses his trust; he sacrifices not only his own interest, but that of his neighbor, he betrays the interest of his country. [Noah Webster, Letters to a Young Gentleman Commencing His Education to which is subjoined a Brief History of the United States (New Haven: S. Converse, 1823), pp. 18, 19.] When you become entitled to exercise the right of voting for public officers, let it be impressed on your mind that God commands you to choose for rulers, "just men who will rule in the fear of God."
The preservation of government depends on the faithful discharge of this duty; if the citizens neglect their duty and place unprincipled men in office, the government will soon be corrupted; laws will be made, not for the public good so much as for selfish or local purposes; corrupt or incompetent men will be appointed to execute the laws; the public revenues will be sqandered on unworthy men; and the rights of the citizens will be violated or disregarded. If a republican government fails to secure public prosperity and happiness, it must be because the citizens neglect the divine commands, and elect bad men to make and administer the laws.
[Noah Webster, History of the United States (New Haven: Durrie & Peck, 1832), pp. 336-337.]

John Witherspoon

Those who wish well to the State ought to choose to places of trust men of inward principle, justified by exemplary conversation. . . .[And t]he people in general ought to have regard to the moral character of those whom they invest with authority either in the legislative, executive, or judicial branches. [John Witherspoon, The Works of John Witherspoon Edinburgh: J. Ogle, 1815), Vol. IV, pp. 266, 277.] A Sermon Preached Before His Excellency John Hancock, Esq. Governor; May 26, 1790. By Daniel Foster, A.M. Pastor of the Church in New Braintree.
Proverbs 8:16: “By Me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth.” In compliance with the laudable example of our pious Ancestors, on such joyful anniversary occasions as this day presents us with which we have assembled in the House of God, to offer our devout praises to him for what he has done for them, and for us, their children; to seek his direction and blessing upon our Political Fathers here present, in the discharge of the important trust reposed in them, and his smiles on this confederate rising Republic. And as it has fallen to one of the least of the Ambassadors of Christ, to perform so essential a part of the exercise of the day, it will not be expected that he turn Statesman in this sacred place, or wander into all the affairs of government:
But, in compliance with his character as a Minister, make such observations from the sacred text, as may be profitable for direction and encouragement, that the men of God here present, may be furnished to every good work.
This book was penned by King Solomon, a man famed for wisdom and understanding throughout all the East. That being who has an easy access to the human mind, appeared to him in Gibeon, in a vision of the night; and God said, ask what I shall give thee? And his request, "give therefore thy servant an understanding heart," was so acceptable, that God gave him wisdom above all that were before him in Jerusalem; for the people soon perceived "that the wisdom of God was in him to do judgment." In these Proverbs of the wise man, we have the comprehensive duties we owe to God, and the world, made plain and easy, and enforced with the most powerful motives.
By folly, the Preacher would be understood to mean vice and wickedness and by wisdom, grace and Christ.
In the text, the person speaking is doubtless Jesus Christ, who by the Apostle is called "the wisdom of God, and the power of God." "By me Princes rule, and Nobles, even all the Judges of the earth:" That is, by my Providence and appointment, they are advanced to rule and govern; and their government is merciful and righteous, happy and prosperous, by my council and assistance. Ever since the apostasy; the blessed God, has pursued a uniform plan of grace, and government with the church, and the world. The merciful design of which, is to reduce to order, peace and happiness, his intelligent offspring. To prosecute this design, he has sent into the world the "PRINCE Of PEACE," and given him a commission for acts of ministry and grace and magistracy and government. The intervention of the new covenant, and the advent of Jesus its Mediator, gave birth to order and subordination in Heaven, and upon Earth.

In Heaven there are thrones, dominions, principalities and powers, angels and arch-angels; and upon earth, princes, nobles, and judges and Christ is Head over them all.
The text leads us to speak of civil government, as ordained of God, in the hands of the mediator; of civil rulers, as holding their commission and authority under Christ; of their duty and dignity as his Ministers, and of the duty and privilege of the people under their administration. 

I. That civil government is ordained of God in the hands of the Mediator, the Absolute necessity of order and government, for the existence and happiness of society, pleads its divine original: For without it, the affairs of mankind would fall into the utmost confusion and disorder.
The nature of man, as a sociable creature, would no doubt, have led him to some sort of government had sin never entered the world. But since sin has debased the noble nature of man, and spread itself through the whole world, both reason and revelation plead for government. It is not a matter of human prudence only, but of necessity and moral obligation: And being enjoined by him who rules in the kingdoms of mortal men, it is an important mean of delivering us from the evils of the apostasy; and designed to prepare us for the more encouraging restraints the gospel enjoins. Civil government, then, is a branch of the tree of life, and founded in, and built upon that covenant, sealed in Heaven by the oath of God, and upon earth by the blood of Christ. He being commissioned by the Father to manage the great affairs of Empire, as well as of Zion. "Yet have I set my King upon my holy Hill of Zion." "The government shall be upon his shoulders." The kingdom of Christ, where he rules by his word and spirit, is his Church, a spiritual kingdom. But his commission extends to the Utmost ends of the earth. "For the stone cut out of the mountain without hands, is to break in pieces all other kingdoms, and fill the earth." His kingdom will outlive all other kingdoms, and swallow them up; for he must reign till he hath "put down all rule and all authority and power." This implies that rule and authority among men, or which is the same thing, civil government, is a divine appointment, and that it is put into the hands of the Mediator to rule and govern the world. For when the great and important ends for which he received his mediatorial kingdom, shall be accomplished, he will put down both ministry and magistracy.

II. That civil rulers hold their commission and authority under Christ. Not that Christ has pointed out the form of government, or the persons to rule and govern; in this sense his "kingdom is not of this world" But Christianity enforces the law of nature; and has confirmed the several constitutions of states and kingdoms, and called our obedience to the higher powers, as the gospel finds them. The mode of government, and persons to govern, are submitted to the wisdom of men, in pursuance of a divine ordinance that second causes might operate. It being the method of God to carry on the designs of his government in this world, by the instrumentality of subordinate Agents. When therefore, a people unite in a form of government, and choose persons to rule and govern them and pledge their faith to be obedient to, and support the government, "though it be but a man's covenant, yet if it be confirmed, no man disannulleth or addeth thereunto." The Magistrate then, called to office by the voice of the people, and solemnly sworn, becomes an ordinance of God, and receives his authority from him, "by whom Princes rule, and Nobles, even all the Judges of the earth." And the apostle, when he enjoins obedience to civil rulers, "because the powers that be, are ordained of God," means to include in his idea, the methods by which they become possessed of their power, and likewise the use and improvement they make of it: If they rule for God, and for good to the people, they are to be subjected to, otherwise, "we ought to obey God, rather than men."

III. We come to speak of the duty and dignity of civil rulers, as the ministers of Christ.
1st. It is their duty to uphold the kingdom of Christ, which consists in "righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost." Religion is, and ever has been, considered the glory of a people; as it insures the favor and protection of Heaven. Under the former dispensation, the Ark of God, which contained his laws, was a token of his presence and defense. Governor Eli, whose heart trembled for it, sustained the tidings of the of the death of his two Sons with fortitude; but when it was told him that the Ark of God was taken, he fell and died, and his Daughter refused to be comforted, though a Son was born; because the glory was departed from Israel, and the Ark of God was taken. Under this dispensation, the gospel and its ordinances, are our glory and defense. And as magistrates are honored by Christ, and act under his banner, they should be careful to be his glory, and support his religion in the world. All men should be possessed of a principle of piety and virtue; but none stand in greater need of it than those who are called to rule and govern. Religion dignifies and enables the mind, refines and purifies the heart and fits men to act worthily their part on the stage of life, and shines with a peculiar luster in the Christian magistrate. This will procure for them honor in the sight of all men; "for those that honor me, I will honor." Saul was destitute of this principle; but desirous of its fruits and effects. Therefore he pressed the man of God, and laid hold on the skirt of his mantle, and it rent; saying "honor me now I pray thee, before the Elders of my people." This is the way to have the presence, and blessing of God with them, and upon their administration. The seat of the magistrate is called the throne of God; "and he was caught up unto God, and into his throne." As they have the image of God upon them as his Ministers, and act by his authority, it should be their care to have the image of God within them as men. It is an honorable account we have of Judah, in a time of general revolt, the ten tribes went after Jeroboam; but Judah yet ruleth with God, and is faithful with the saints." If religion is not honored and supported by men in places of public trust, the glory of the Lord will soon depart, and the fire of God be scattered over the city. Rulers are called "the shields of the earth;" they are to protect the people from injuries among men, and likewise from the judgments of God. When God's wrath was kindled against Israel, for their idolatry at the foot of the mount, we find Moses, that pious ruler, pleading the cause of the people, and he sounds his plea upon God's covenant, and reminds him of his oath. And David, that man after God's own heart, when he saw the Angel that smote the people, said, but these sheep, what have they done? "And the Lord said unto the Angel, it is enough, stay now thine hand." The attention Christian rulers pay to religion in their hearts, and in their government, will be their support when they are called to lay down their commission, and their lives; it will brighten the scene before them, and embalm their memories when they are dead. 2d. It is the duty of Christian rulers, to preserve and secure to the people, their liberties and properties. The end and design of civil government is to secure the happiness of the whole community. For this, rulers are appointed; "he is the Minister of God to thee for good." The liberties of mankind have ever been held dear, for they are given are by God and nature. "With a great sum, obtained I this freedom," says the chief Captain to Paul, who relied, "but I was born free." This has been and still is the voice of Americans; and our attention to the voice, which is from Heaven, has brought us into possession of the liberties and privileges, we this day enjoy. An infringement on these, has ever awakened the fears, and kindled the resentment of an enlightened people! It has overturned empires and kingdoms and caused the stars to fall from Heaven, and princes to walk, as at this day, like servants on the earth! In order to secure the liberties and privileges of the people, righteous and equitable laws should be made, and preserved. "That which is altogether just shall ye follow," is an injunction from the First Magistrate in the universe. We plead for a government of laws, not of men. The law is a rule to try all causes between man and man by; and it is a rule between the magistrate and subject and it teaches the one how to rule, and the other how to obey. They are the pillars on which the Commonwealth stands; to them we appeal for a redress of grievances, and into their hands we are willing to fall; but not into the hands of men. They are in scripture, called the foundations of the earth; and said to be out of course, when the magistrate is either ignorant of them, or neglects to support his authority in their execution. 3d. The Christian ruler will hear the complaints, and redress the grievances of the people he governs. He will not with Rehoboam, reject the voice of the old men whose years have taught them wisdom, and apply to young men for counsel; answer the people with grievous words, and cause them to say in the bitterness of their souls, "what portion have we in David? Neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse." But he will enlighten the ignorant; and those that are out of the way, he will reduce to order and obedience, with the cords of law and love. He will follow the example of him by whom he rules, whose work and glory it is, to make peace and bind up the wounds of the people. Christian rulers will consider the infancy of the people, and the burdens laid upon them, and be careful lest they over-drive, and so destroy the flock of God. They will lessen the charges of government, and lighten every burden, as much as is consistent with the honor and well-being of government. The cause of the widow, the fatherless, the orphan; the soldier, and him that has loaned hi money for the help of government, will come with peculiar grace before Christian rulers; who will hold themselves Heaven's clients to vindicate their righteous claims; and plead their cause. The credit of the Commonwealth, at home and abroad, is a matter that requires particular attention: In many instances its faith has been pledged. But Christian rulers will remember, that our father Abraham, was not justified by faith only; and add energy to our faith, that we may as a people, be justified in the sight of God, and the world. 4th. We come as proposed, to speak of the duty and privilege of the people under the administration of Christian rulers. And, 1st. It is their duty to pray for them. Government is an important trust, and though it be limited by righteous and equitable laws; yet such is the condition of human nature in this world, that the greatest and best of men are liable to err, and are insufficient to manage the great affairs of state, without direction and influence from Heaven. God is the blessed and only potentate, his essential perfections are his blessedness, and enable him to manage an universal Empire! He stands in no need of his creatures' wealth to maintain his crown, their power to effect his designs, or their wisdom to direct his counsels. But it is far otherwise with his vicegerents here on earth; though they are called gods, and clothed with authority from Christ and the people yet they are but men. 'The affairs of government are often intricate and perplexing, and dangers eminent and threatening, so that rulers find occasion to adopt the language of the pious king of Judah, "neither know we what to do." We are divinely bound to pray "for all in authority," that government might be equal and righteous, and that we might "lead a peaceable and quiet life, in all Godliness and honesty." It is the blessing of God, that makes government steady and effectual, and gives peace and quietness to the Commonwealth; and God will be sought unto, for such an inestimable blessing. When we pray for them, we pray for the advancement of peace, and Godliness, this being the end for which government is instituted. 2d. It is the duty of the people, to support their rulers. That authority by which they govern, enjoins obedience from the people to all their righteous laws. And as they have a painful preeminence above their fellow mortals, and an arduous and important trust committed to them by God, and the people; they should be freed from cares and troubles about the affairs of the world. "For this cause, pay you tribute also; for they are God's Ministers, attending continually upon this very thing." The advantages we enjoy tinder a righteous administration, entitle those who govern to large returns. Our persons and properties are secured, and we set under our own vine and fig-tree; being protected, by a government merciful and righteous. When taxes are made for the support of government, there is a moral obligation on the people, to discharge them; for government which is an ordinance of God, could not subsist without such support. Our blessed Lord set us an example worthy of imitation, when he sent Peter to the mouth of the fish, that he might receive money to pay their tribute, “And enjoined upon us to "render to Caesar, the things that be Caesar's." A support, honor, love and obedience, are enjoined through the whole book of God, upon the people, as a just tribute due to those who govern. It is the privilege of the people granted them by God and nature, to choose their own rulers. Kingly government was never of divine appointment; but added, as the law was, "by reason of transgression." The government, early established in the world among the ancient Hebrews, was a free republic like ours, the sovereignty resided in the body of the people. They were to choose able men; and they were called to give their assent to the laws given from Heaven, before they were put into execution. When government is thus founded, according to the divine mind, and rulers chosen, they become representatives of the power and majesty of God; and important instruments employed by his providence and grace, in the administration of affairs in this lower world. They are entrusted with the lives, liberties and properties of the people, For them prayer should be continually made, and to them obedience given, as God's vicegerents, when they rule for him, and for good to the people. People should be careful of censuring them, and increasing their burden and concern, lest they be reproved by him, who has forbid our "reviling the gods, or speaking evil of the rulers of the people." But when rulers neglect the great affairs of government, when they break not every yoke, plead not the cause of the injured and innocent, the widow and fatherless, the poor and needy when they do not support religion, liberty, the arts and literature; the pillars of government will fall, and society throw off its pleasing apparel: "The sword shall be upon the arm, and upon the right eye of the magistrate" he shall lose his discernment in public measures, and his authority shall be taken away. On the other hand when those in authority, move with dignity in their proper sphere, are God's ministers for good; and people are subject for conscience sake, what a pleasing appearance does the Commonwealth put on! Such as once induced the prophet to exclaim "how goodly are thy tents, 0 Jacob, and thy tabernacles 0 Israel!" From what has been said we may infer. 1st. That God in the scheme of grace by Christ, provided for the happiness of mankind in this world, as well as for their immortality and glory in the next. And foreseeing to what endless confusion and irregularity the world would tumble, without order and subordination: has with one stroke wrote himself, religion and government on the mind of man. And has sent his son from Heaven to explain, and enforce, what, at first, he wrote on the mind of man, and to reign and govern in righteousness. Civil government is designed to sub-serve the grace of the gospel; and the happiness it defuses through society in this world, should call forth our gratitude and praise to God, its author. It smoothes the rugged road of life, gives the quiet and peaceable enjoyment of every blessing, and raises in the mind, the most exalted conceptions of that blessed Being, whose benevolent design, is to raise the virtuous among mankind, by small gradations, to happiness and perfection with himself. Government is a link in the chain of everlasting mercy; and those who are obedient "for the Lord's sake" who has appointed it, may expect that their path will shine more and more unto the perfect day. 2d. We infer. “ That days of greater peace and happiness, then have ever dawned upon the church and world and before us in America this we argue from the ability of Christ's person, the extent of his commission, his going forth of old with our fathers; and the deliverance he hath wrought for this generation. The kingdom of providence, and the kingdom of grace are his; and he manages the affairs of the one in subserviency to the other. It has been the method of God from the beginning, to reveal the designs of his grace and mercy to the world by degrees. He promised one, mighty to save, and able to govern soon after the apostasy in the garden; but four thousand years were numbered, before the desire of all nations came. Since he appeared on the theater of life, the church and world have pressed on for ages, through, the fire of perfection: Deluges of blood, oppression and slaughter, but little benefited, to appearance, by his coming and death. Till the Angel of the Lord pointed our forefathers to this Western World; a land where he determined to unfold the plan of redemption and government, here they found a safe retreat from persecution and cruelty. Savage beasts and men vanished before them, like the dew before the rising sun. Here the church was founded upon the doctrines of Christ, and the Apostles which put forth her branches like the palm-tree, and bid fair to eclipse the glory of the world. This awakened the fears of the country from whence they came, who were grieved at our greatness and envious at our rising glory, and attempted to take from us, our liberty, and this land God gave to our fathers; prepared chains to bind us to passive obedience, and drag us to perdition. The great charter was violated, and the laws that were to protect this infant world, infringed upon. "The foundations were all destroyed, and what could the righteous do?" In that day of our distress, we appealed to the strength of Jehovah, and the justice of our cause: And God came from Teman, and the Holy One from Mount Paran, and he stood and measured the earth, and drove asunder the nations, and confirmed us in the possession of this goodly land. Under the direction, and by the assistance of Him, who administers on Heaven's eternal plan, we are delivered from the horrors of war, and enjoy both civil and religious liberty! We have been led to frame and adopt a constitution of government that is the wonder of the world; resembling that which God of old, gave the Israelites, the seed of Abraham his friend. We shouted with heartfelt joy, when the political ark was brought to its place. Sing O Heavens for the Lord hath redeemed New England, and glorified himself in America! When we look over these great events, we are constrained to cry out with the Patriarch, "surely the Lord is in this place, and we know it not." We are respected abroad among the nations of the earth, and united at home. God has put this honor upon us, and spoke peace to our borders. The system of national government we have settled, we hope, will secure to us, and hand down to the generations to come, the liberties and privileges we have procured by our toil, treasures, and the blood of many of our virtuous sons. The choicest blessings, religion, liberty and peace, were reserved in the counsels of God, for thee, O America! And what God has done for our fathers, and for us of this generation, are but intimations of our future happiness and glory; that he will have a light before him in this Jerusalem, 'till the second coming of Him, who is the "light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of his people Israel." Here the empire of Jesus is founded, and these are the halcyon days disclosed to the pious Prophet, in a vision of the night. "And behold! one like the Son of Man came to the ancient of days, and there was given him dominion, glory and a kingdom; and his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away; and his kingdom, that, which shall not be destroyed." From the rise and present exaltation of America, we conclude she is to be the theater, where the latter day glory shall be displayed; and the medium through which religion, liberty and learning, shall be handed round creation. 3d. We infer: That Christ will vindicate the sacred rights of his government, in the utter destruction of all that oppose his reign. It becomes rulers, ministers and people, to be willing subjects of this kingdom, that they may be the glory of Christ its King. The impious and ungodly will be ensnared in their own plots and devises; and the Heavens will reveal their iniquity one day. "Kiss the Son, less he be angry, and ye perish from the way." True it is, God has done great things for us; he has delivered us from war, and invited us by the dawn of peace, to lay aside the dread artillery of death; he has given us a land that flows with milk and honey, and settled both church and state in peace. But what is this to the sinners of my people, who live in intemperance, debauchery, pride and luxury, fraud and deceit; who violate God's holy laws, neglect the duties of the gospel covenant, cast off fear, and restrain prayer before God. Jesus, who is exalted at the head of the universal polity of Angels and men, when his wrath is kindled but a little, will dash such characters to pieces like a potter's earthen vessel. From the evil returns we have made to Heaven for past mercies, we have reason to fear the divine rebukes: "You only have I known of all the families of the earth, therefore I will punish you for your iniquities. God brought his people of old to the borders of the promised land; but they murmured against Moses and Aaron, and were for making a Captain and returning into Egypt. This provoked Him who had done great things for them, to say "your carcasses shall fall in the wilderness, and ye shall know my breach of promise: But your little ones, them will I bring in, and they shall know the land which ye have despised." “So it will be with the wicked of this generation; with Balaam we behold the glory of America, but not nigh; we shall meet the grave, and the horrors of eternity; and our "sons will come to honor, and we know it not." We have solemn tidings this day from the mount of God: “ The children of New England have forsaken my covenant: Do ye thus requite the Lord? O foolish people and unwise!” Hear with what irresistible eloquence the prophet Isaiah pleads against the impenitent of this age and country; "Hear O Heavens, and give ear O Earth, for I have nourished and brought up children, and they have rebelled against me." O that we may as a people, know in this our day, the things of our peace, repent, and do our first works; that God may heal us, and bestow those blessings, he has encouraged us to hope for, from past mercies. Then shall we find the grave in peace, and leave this inheritance to our children's children; who will read the history of our day, with amazement and veneration, and call us blessed, when we are sleeping in the dust! But it is time that I close the subject with particular attention to the important political characters that compose so great a part of this respectable assembly. And His Excellency the Governor and Commander in Chief of this Commonwealth, claims our first attention. MAY IT PLEASE YOUR EXCELLENCY, We rejoice to find, venerable sir, that you are again, by the suffrages of a free and independent State, called to fill the first seat of government. You are the man on whom the eyes of this Israel are set, that you should rule over us. Your former services for these States, in the day of small things, and your administration government in this Commonwealth, are engraven on our hearts, as with the point of a diamond. It was under your presidency and direction, that an ancient prophesy was literally accomplished, "a nation born in a day." America declared free, sovereign and independent! Your ardent love to your country, your indefatigable labor on her behalf, and your alms which have been distributed to the poor and needy, render you dear to this, and will, to the generations to come. Time shall stop her course, and expire in eternity, before you will be forgotten. While religion, liberty, justice and benevolence, are counted valuable upon earth, your Excellency will have a name and praise in it. An holy God has deprived you, of a promising son to bear up your name, when you become weak like other men, and are called to sleep with your fathers, and by him, who for so many years, was your worthy and pious contemporary in office: But he has left you a name better than that of many sons; one that will live in the breasts of virtuous Republicans, 'till our father Adam shall salute the arrival of his youngest son to the abodes of bliss. We have not only a grateful remembrance of your past services for America, and this Commonwealth in particular, but we confide in your good disposition, and uncommon abilities, to fill with dignity, the seat of government, where Divine Providence has placed you. Your Excellency will please to remember, that your authority comes from Christ, though by the mediation of the people; whose religion you will imbibe in your heart, and support in your government, that the people may take knowledge of you, that you have been with Him, by whom you rule. The ministers of Christ, who are commissioned by the same authority that invests you, will meet your countenance and protection, though they act in another apartment in the house of Christ. The University, that has given birth to so many important characters, both in church and state, leans forward, as it were, and whispers to you her son, to administer to her necessities. We wish you the presence and blessing of Heaven, to enable you to act in your whole administration, under the influence of a principle of justice and mercy: This will entitle you to the love and esteem of a people you have made happy. This will yield you calmness of mind, under the bodily infirmities, God is pleased to inflict you with, and the cares and troubles of government and this will brighten the gloom of death, and give you boldness in the day of Christ. May you long live to serve your God and generation; and when you are called to put off this mortal form, may your soul wing her way to yonder bright and intellectual world; where, from the mouth of your Divine Master, may you hear that blessed euge, "well done good and faithful servant, thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord." His Honor the Lieutenant Governor, claims our next respects, to whom the discourse is now addressed: MAY IT PLEASE YOUR HONOR, It has pleased God to spare your important life, to see the fruit of your labor and anxiety, in years past, and to awaken the attention of the people to call upon you, to exert your talents and abilities for the good of this Commonwealth, At a time when the voice of men, whose years have taught them, is needed. Your integrity, patriotism and devotedness to the cause of your country, has given you favor, and kindled in the minds of the people esteem and veneration, that time will not obliterate. The Recording Angle will not silently pass by your labor and attention, when we came over Jordan with our staff. The laws of justice and gratitude, which are the laws of God, require that we accept it with thankfulness to you; and more especially to that God, who has made you so instrumental in delivering us from tyranny and oppressive power. We have a recent remembrance of the critical day, when His Excellency and your Honor, were excluded a pardon of God and America, for their insults and cruelty. You have lived to see your desires accomplished; the Temple of Liberty raised and the glory of America, founded through the world by the trump of Fame! Now your eyes behold this, you are ready to adopt the words of Simeon, when he clasped the infant Savior in his arms, "now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, for I have seen thy salvation." We look to you, honored sir, and expect that you conspire with your best endeavors, to make easy and happy, this great people: And may a grateful people, by their returns of honor and justice, equal your past, and their expectations of your future services. May God have you in his holy keeping; make the remainder of your days comfortable and happy, and when he shall see fit to discharge you from further services below, may you shine forth with resplendent glory in the kingdom of the Redeemer above. And may the Honorable Council, so necessary and important a Branch in government, be counseled and directed of God; and in all matters that come before them, act with stability and firmness, being influenced by that wisdom which is from above. May your piety and virtue, gentlemen, recommend you to the favor and protection of Heaven; and your integrity and uprightness of conduct, render you more and more objects of the love and confidence of your brethren. But if your labor and fidelity, should not meet the approbation of the world, as it is often the case, you will have within you, conscious worth – before you, an animating prospect of the acceptance of God, and a reward in the world to come. The Honorable the Senate, and the Honorable the House of Representatives, claim the attention of the Preacher, and to whom he would now turn his discourse. You are this day, respectable gentleman, constituted the ordinance of God, for good; and, having received authority from Christ, and the people, you have before you a very weighty concern, to promote the best interest of the people, and see that the Commonwealth receive no detriment. The multitude of your brethren have put confidence in you, and made you the keepers of their vineyard. You will regard, gentlemen, the sacred enclosure of Christ, and be nursing fathers to his church, and people. We look to you for equal and righteous laws, and a pattern of every virtue. You will remember, that government came into the world, on the same benevolent errand its Divine Author did, not to perplex and destroy men's lives, but to enlighten, reform, and save them: And if there are any laws too sanguine in the case of life and death, you will adopt some other punishment than that of sending souls unprepared, to the tribunal of God. Be not unmindful, sirs, that the eyes of God are upon you in your public capacity: He observes what attention you pay to the concerns of the public and to the widow and fatherless, the poor and needy, and the cause of virtue and religion. To him you are accountable, and before his awful tribunal you must soon stand, with the meanest of your brethren. You are called Gods, let your compassion to the poor, resemble that of the Father of Mercies. Guard against pride, covetousness, and a disposition to bind heavy burdens on the people. Lay aside party considerations and private designs, and do that which you can answer to God, and the people. Then you will be blessed and the blessings of many, ready to perish, will come upon you. And in the last grand revolution, when all distinctions, but those of a religious nature will be forever done away, you will meet the approbation of HIM, by whom you rule, and your reward will be great. We wish you divine direction, and a blessing, this day, out of the house of God. Let this great and attentive Assembly, call to mind the duties they owe to God, and the world, and the obligations they are under to the faithful discharge of them. Of infinite importance is it to us, Christian friend's, that we are possessed of that faith in, and faithfulness to Christ, which the gospel constitution makes necessary, in order for us to obtain eternal life. If we are the subjects of divine grace, and act worthily our part on the stage of life, we may meet adversity with fortitude, and death with comfort, for it will reach us to a world, where God will be the sun, in which he will run through our souls with a torrent of delight. On this pleasing hope and joyful expectation, I will dismiss you, until that day, in which may the Preacher find mercy, and meet you all amongst the redeemed of the LORD and the glory shall be given to HIM, who sitteth upon the throne, and to the LAMB, forever and ever; and let all the people say AMEN! Election Day is coming for our local government leaders. WE MUST BE STEADFAST IN PRAYER AND GET OUT AND VOTE! IT MATTERS, AND YOUR VOTE COUNTS.
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