RELIGIOUS SECTS. 305 



merit and receive the respect, gratitude and affection, of all 

 good menv They have labored zealously, faithfully and long, 

 and their pay has been but trifling. But they have generally 

 been blessed, in their children, whose good conduct, prosperi- 

 ty and success in life, are the consolation and support of these 

 aged servants of the most high God. We name them not, 

 though we know them all. They have always been the true 

 friends of liberty, and they would be the very last men in the 

 nation to wish to overturn our free institutions. Persecuted 

 they may be, but it must be, either by those who know them 

 not, or by those who would overturn all good government, 

 good morals and true religion. The religion of Jesus is friend- 

 ly to liberty, but because, in the rude and barbarous ages of 

 Europe, there were hypocrites in the church, who made mer- 

 chandize of this religion, that is no reason why its Author 

 should be persecuted, more than it would be, to refuse to re- 

 ceive the true coin because there were counterfeits in circu- 

 lation. Christianity is friendly to free government, and with- 

 out this religion, there can be no good government. 



RELIGIOUS SECTS. 



These are composed of Presbyterians, Methodists, Protestant 

 Episcopalians, Baptists, Catholics, Dunkards, Congregational- 

 istSjSeceders, Unionists, Friends, or Quakers, Cumberland Pres- 

 byterians, Swedenborgians, Jews,Newlightsor Halcyons, Asso- 

 ciate Reformed, United brethren in Christ, Radical Methodists, 

 Universalists, Campbellites, German Lutherans, Unitarians, 

 Shakers, and Mormonites. We have several shades of differ- 

 ence, even among several of the above named religious sects, 

 such as high and low Churchmen, among several sects, but they 

 all live together in a good degree of harmony, often assisting 

 each other, in the erection of churches, and, in permitting min- 

 isters of other denominations, to officiate in their churches. 

 This tolerant spirit, is highly commendable, and is rather gain- 

 ing, than losing ground, among us. 

 39 



