38 



If it should be inquired ; why these considerations 

 are specially addressed to husbandmen ; the answer is : 



They are the great majority of the people, within 

 the limits of this society. 



They are the most stable, unmoving, portion of the 

 community. 



They are settled on the soil ; and their minds and 

 characters possess corresponding stability and strength. 



They are, to the body politic, what bones and sinews 

 are, to the animal body. 



From this class are mostly selected, Select men, As- 

 sessors, Jurors, and Legislators. 



The controlling power is with them ; in election^ 

 and in most of the affairs of society. 



A large share of the public burthen rests on them. 



They pay a large portion of the public taxes ; for 

 these, their lands, and their homes^ by the law of neces- 

 sity, are pledged, as by a mortgage. All others may 

 avoid ; personal property may be secreted, or removed ? 

 but the land is visible, permanent. The land-holder is 

 bound to it, by the strongest ties of interest, and attach- 

 ment. His all is there. And should the time come, 

 when defence of rights, or of country, shall be neces- 

 sary; the land-holder will he, first and last, in the field. 



I address to husbandmen, considerations of moral and 

 religious duty ; because, to no class of men are the attri- 

 butes of Jehovah, so fully, or so clearly displayed. Each 

 successive season, each returning day, brings fresh to- 

 kens of his power and goodness ; each makes new de- 

 mands on his time and labour; imposes new duties, and 

 increasing obligations ; bringing also, its rewards and 

 blessings. 



Dependence on God is always in the path of the hus- 



