A Sermon Delivered before His Excellency Levi Lincoln, Governor, His Honor Thomas L. Winthrop, Lieutenant Governor, the Hon. Council, the Senate, and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, on the day of General Election, May 28, 1828

Delivered on the day of a bustling 1828 election, this sermon addresses the assembled governor, lieutenant governor, council, and legislators of Massachusetts with a clear, urgent appeal. The speaker argues that a nation’s moral health is inseparable from the character of those it elects, urging citizens to demand honesty and competence from their leaders. By contrasting inherited power with the responsibility of a free electorate, he emphasizes that the public bears the weight of its choices.

The oration moves beyond abstract theology to examine how public opinion shapes law and everyday conduct, warning that tolerating vice in officials erodes societal standards. It offers vivid reflections on the dangers of separating private virtue from public duty, reminding listeners that even seemingly minor flaws can undermine confidence in governance. Listeners are left with a compelling call to vigilance, urging a thoughtful, morally grounded approach to the civic life of a young republic.