Though no apology for the present publication, or for the form in which it appears, will be attempted, yet it may not be improper or uninteresting to state a few facts relating to its origin. The author has been in the habit, for a number of years past, of celebrating the anniversary of our Independence with public worship in his own congregation. Previous to the last 4th of July, notice to that effect was given, and at the same time it was stated that the subject of discourse would be—not Ameri

THE words from which I propose to address you, on this occasion, you will find recorded in “The DECLARATION of the INDEPENDENCE of the UNITED STATES of AMERICA ;”—the first clause after the preamble. The words are these: “ We hold these truths to be self-evident; that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness. ” Man, considered as a rational and social being, occupies a varie