VoyForums
[ Show ]
Support VoyForums
[ Shrink ]
VoyForums Announcement: Programming and providing support for this service has been a labor of love since 1997. We are one of the few services online who values our users' privacy, and have never sold your information. We have even fought hard to defend your privacy in legal cases; however, we've done it with almost no financial support -- paying out of pocket to continue providing the service. Due to the issues imposed on us by advertisers, we also stopped hosting most ads on the forums many years ago. We hope you appreciate our efforts.

Show your support by donating any amount. (Note: We are still technically a for-profit company, so your contribution is not tax-deductible.) PayPal Acct: Feedback:

Donate to VoyForums (PayPal):

[ Login ] [ Contact Forum Admin ] [ Main index ] [ Post a new message ] [ Search | Check update time | Archives: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, [10] ]

[ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ]

Date Posted: 09:09:39 01/09/08 Wed
Author: mozel
Subject: the record from better men in better days

Judge Gaston, the only member of the Convention to whom it could be supposed the article had any personal application, discussed the subject in all of its aspects in the last, and probably the greatest speech made by him in any deliberative body. While expressing his views strongly, and explaining the circumstances upon which he went upon the bench, he said: "But as an individual I beg it to be understood, that I am utterly indifferent as to the determination of the Convention and of the people, except a desire that the constitutional provision be made explicit. If it be thought essential to the State that a monopoly of offices be secured to certain favored religious sects, let it be so disclosed. He who now addresses you will not feel a moment's pain, should such a decision render it his duty to return to private life. Office sought him--he sought not office. An experience of its cares, its labors and its responsibilities has not tended to increase his attachment to it."

Mr. Smith said that he wished this section to be laid aside as sleeping thunder, to be called up only when necessary to defeat some deep-laid scheme of ambition.

Mr. Swain disliked to keep the "sleeping thunder" of this
section, as the gentleman from Orange termed it, to be used in some emergency hereafter. He did not like to leave it in the hands of men in power, who might hereafter abuse it by

"Dealing damnation round the land,
On all they deemed their foe."

After rejecting a number of proposed amendments, the Convention, by a vote of 74 to 52, struck out the word "Protestant" and inserted the word "Christian." The negative vote included a number of delegates who were opposed to retaining any religious test. Upon the final test the
Convention by a vote of 76 to 32 refused to strike out the word "Christian," Gaston voting with the majority.

The Ordinance and the Amendments to the Constitution were then signed by the President and Secretaries.

And on motion of Mr. Gaston, of Craven, the Convention adjourned, sine die.

TESTE.
EDMUND B. FREEMAN,
Secretary of the Convention.


Concluding Prayer.
ALMIGHTY AND MOST MERCIFUL GOD!--the Creator of the Heavens and of the Earth, and the Ruler of all worlds!
In the name of Jesus Christ, thy Son, we desire to draw nigh unto thee.
Thou art our preserver and kind benefactor. From the cradle to the present moment, we have shared largely in thy goodness and Providential care. Thou hast given us our health and friends and all our earthly comforts.
But we thank thee, Oh! Lord, especially, for the Gospel of the grace of God, in which thou hast spread before us the provisions of infinite mercy.
We are sinners, and need forgiveness--we are depraved, and need to be renewed in the spirit of our mind.
Oh! grant unto us repentance unto life, and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.
For his sake, blot out all our iniquities--incline us to obey all thy commandments, and prepare us, by the sanctifying influences of thy Holy Spirit, for a happy immortality beyond the grave.
Remember, Oh! Lord, in mercy, the whole family of man. Send forth thy light and thy truth. Dispel the dark clouds of Idolatry, Infidelity and Superstition, which have so long enveloped the nations.
May the reign of ignorance and error and tyranny cease forever; and establish thou thy kingdom of grace and righteousness in the hearts of the children of men.
Send joy and peace to all the nations of the earth. Say to the devouring sword--It is enough; and over-rule all changes in the Kingdoms of the world, for the promotion of human happiness, and the universal triumphs of the Gospel of Christ.
Continue, Oh! Lord, to our highly-favored, but ungrateful land, its inestimable privileges. Forgive the sins of the people, and give unto us Rulers who shall rule in the fear of the Lord.
Preserve us from civil discord, and from all public and private calamities.
Be thou our strong Tower and the Rock of our defence. Appoint unto us salvation for walls and for bulwarks; and under the shadow of thy wings may we take refuge in time of trouble.
Graciously bless our Chief Magistrate, and all in authority. Direct those who are employed in Public Affairs, to the adoption of such measures as shall tend to promote thy glory and the best interests of the community; and give unto them wisdom and honesty, to serve their generation according to the will of God.
We thank thee, Oh! Lord, for thy providential care over all the members of this body, and for the high degree of order and harmony which has characterised the occasion.
Forgive whatever has been said or done amiss, and follow with thy blessing whatever has been done in accordance with thy will.
And now, Oh! Lord, as the business of this Convention is drawing near to a close, direct, this day, in the adjustment and ratification of the measures which have been under discussion; and graciously prosper all the acts of the body which may be calculated to advance the civil,
social and religious interests of the community in which thou hast cast our lot.
Give to the people of this State, before whom its amended Constitution will soon pass in review, wisdom, that they may be directed in their final action thereupon.
Deliver them from passion, prejudice, and all unreasonable prepossessions. May they approach the question before them with honest, liberal and enlightened views, and decide thereon calmly, conscientiously, and in the fear of God.
And when this body, to whom has been committed the revision of our fundamental Laws, shall have adjourned, conduct them all in safety to their respective places of abode, there to meet again, in circumstances of comfort, their families, their friends, and their constituents.
And inasmuch, as they will never again meet together on earth, prepare them, most gracious God, for the solemnities of that approaching day, when the assembled Universe shall meet in GRAND CONVENTION before thy Throne to be judged and rewarded according to their works.
The Lord grant unto us, that we may all find mercy of the Lord in that day!
Now, unto Him, who is able to do exceeding abundantly, above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, unto Him be glory in the Church, by Jesus Christ, throughout all ages, WORLD WITHOUT END! Amen.

Journal of the Convention 1835 Freeman - North-Carolina

[ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ]

[ Contact Forum Admin ]

Forum timezone: GMT-8
VF Version: 3.00b, ConfDB:
Before posting please read our privacy policy.
VoyForums(tm) is a Free Service from Voyager Info-Systems.
Copyright © 1998-2019 Voyager Info-Systems. All Rights Reserved.