Chapter 11
They redeem his nature from the subjection of time and
space; he is no longer a "puny insect shivering at a breeze"; he
is the glory of creation, formed to occupy all time and all
extent; bounded, during his residence upon earth, only to the
boundaries of the world, and destined to life and immortality in
brighter regions, when the fabric of nature itself shall dissolve
and perish.
The voice of history has not, in all its compass, a note but
answers in unison with these sentiments. The barbarian
chieftain, who defended his country against the Roman
invasion, driven to the remotest extremity of Britain, and
stimulating his followers to battle by all that has power of
persuasion upon the human heart, concluded his persuasion by
an appeal to these irresistible feelings: "Think of your
forefathers and of your posterity." The Romans themselves, at
the pinnacle of civilization, were actuated by the same
impressions, and celebrated, in anniversary festivals, every
great event which had signalized the annals of their forefathers.
To multiply instances where it were impossible to adduce an
exception would be to waste your time and abuse your
patience; but in the sacred volume, which contains the
substances of our firmest faith and of our most precious hopes,
these passions not only maintain their highest efficacy, but are
sanctioned by the express injunctions of the Divine Legislator
to his chosen people.
The revolutions of time furnish no previous example of a
nation shooting up to maturity and expanding into greatness
with the rapidity which has characterized the growth of the
American people. In the luxuriance of youth, and in the vigor
of manhood, it is pleasing and instructive to look backward
upon the helpless days of infancy; but in the continual and
essential changes of a growing subject, the transactions of that
early period would be soon obliterated from the memory but
for some periodical call of attention to aid the silent records of
the historian. Such celebrations arouse and gratify the kindliest