Allen, Wilkes. [THANKSGIVING SERMON] Divine favors gratefully recollected in a Discourse delivered at Chelmsford, (Massachusetts) Nov. 29, 1810, at the Annual Thanksgiving. Cambridge: Published by Subscription | Printed by Hilliard and Metcalf, 1811. [12252]
Self-wraps with untrimmed edges, horizontal tear from the center of the left margin on the first several leaves; 28 pp., foxing, the darkest being on the outer pages, Fair. Pamphlet.
The text is Deuteronomy 8:7-10, "For the Lord thy God bringeth thee into a good land..."
"Let us see how well the description of the promised land, given in the text, suits the country, in which we live, the advantages, we enjoy, and the circumstances, in which we are placed by the special favor of a superintending providence." p. 7.
He describes how the United States resembles the Promised Land of the Bible, in relation to rivers, springs of water, lakes, canals, wheat, corn, barley, and the richness of the soil. He treats of iron ore, minerals, land, and bread.
Our author reminds his hearers of the great leaders of Biblical Israel, and says, "Let us never cease to pray, that the mantle of Washington may descend on all his successors to remotest time; that they may imbibe his spirit, follow his counsels, and on the broad basis of public justice and impartiality and of private virtue and piety, continue to raise the grand structure of American independence and glory. Let not our zeal and attachment to any men lead us to overlook their measures, or uphold them in their errors." - p. 18.
"While the mechanic in England takes his scanty pittance of bread and beer for his morning meal, the workman in America riots on dainties, butter of kine, and milk of sheep, and fat of lambs, and drinks the pure blood of the grape." - p. 15.
"What abundant cause then have we to bless the Lord for the good land, which he hath given us!" - p. 22.
Rev. Wilkes Allen (1775-1845), b. Shrewsbury, Massachusetts; d. Andover, Massachusetts. He graduated at Harvard College (1801) and soon after (1803) became the pastor of the Congregational Church at Chelmsford. He is perhaps best known as the author of The History of Chelmsford (1820), noted as the first local history of its kind.
