Page:American Historical Review vol. 6.djvu/515

 The Society of Dissenters 505 such Restraints, impositions and penalties on all Nonconformists as would make Life itself intolerabe. The Non-Episcopalians have the greater reason to be alarmed at the Attempt to introduce Episcopacy, when they already see the members of that Church Pursuing measures for in- grossing an inordinate share of power ; while themselves, tho ten to one in this Colony, are treated with open Contempt ; and publicly told by the warm Advocates of prelacy, that they ought to be tributaries to the Church ; nor be suffered to enjoy any post, either of honor, trust, or profit. Our fears are greatly increased, when we consider the Epis- copal Church possessed of so immense an Estate in this City ; and her members enjoying the Principal part of the wealth of the Metropolis : not that we envy either the Corporation of that Church, or any private member belonging to it, in any part of their Possessions : We only notice their superior riches, as an unfailing Source of Superior in- fluence ; an influence sufficient unless opposed by the union of all the other denominations to carry almost every Election here. By the policy of the Constitution, they are secure of the Countenance of the Crown, the Governor and the Council ; and consequently of a pref- erence respecting all Officers and favors in the Gift of the Government ; while the only security left to their brethren of different persuasions, is to avail themselves of their numbers, and to preserve a Majority in the house of representatives. Of this preference we can need no other Proof, than the Liberality of the Government to them, in the Grant of large Tracts of Land in every new township, for a parsonage glebe, and for the Society for propagating the Gospel ; while the churches of every other denomination are refused even the comparatively trifling favor of a Charter, to enable them to enjoy the benefit of private Donations. Of this the Episcopalians are fully sensible ; and therefore, though it is evi- dent that where [were] we wholly to engross the representative Body, and fill every Elective Office in the Colony, they by having a triple check upon us would be safe against all possible attempts by those of other persuasions ; they are Nevertheless Strenuously Endeavoring to Ob- tain a Majority in those Elective Offices, in which our only security con- sists. These Considerations ought to teach those whom they term Dissenters, to make it a maxim of their Conduct, to be jealous of be- stowing these Offices on Episcopalians, as thereby they evidently weaken the Grand Bulwark of their Liberty. These reasons have induced a number of Gentlemen of different de- nominations to meet, and form themselves into a Society, for the preser- vation of their common Liberty. We do by no means propose to Act Offensively against the Episcopalians, but barely to Counteract them, as far as we shall discover them pursuing designs unfriendly to our General interest. We can with Great Truth and Sincerity declare, that we would not, if it were in our power, deprive that Church of any Enjoyment save only that of Applying our property to her Support, which she does in four Counties in this province ; and has in one of them Attempted to Enlarge her establishment : And we have but too much reason to suspect from her