The New Hampshire Gazette And Historical Chronicle

From the BOSTON GAZETTE.

A Dialogue, between a Pensioner and a Divine.

Pensioner.
It seems to me that the Clergy interest themselves too much in a political Dispute of the Day. The Gentlemen in Crape have no Right to intermeddle in such Things. But Otis says he could not carry his Points without the Aid of the black Regiment.

Divine.
If Mr. Otis expressed himself in that Manner, (which I question) he might have expressed himself rather more decently: but surely you will allow this to be a Day of Darkness and Difficulty, and you Will also allow us to pray for Light and Direction.

Pensioner.

Divine.
If you don't choose to give your Opinion upon that Point. I will take the Freedom to tell you a Story of Dr. Cotton Mather. He preached once at the Thursday Lecture in Boston from these Words, "What shall we say to these Things"?
-He mentioned one Thing, and what shall we say to this Thing? Nothing.-And he then went to another Thing, & what shall we say to this? Why Nothing at all.-And he then proceeded to a third Thing, and what shall we say to this? Not a Word. The next Thing he mentioned was Prayer, and what shall we say to Prayer; Oh! Speak! Speak! Speak! says he, or the dumb Devil is in thee?

Pensioner. And the Clergy are preaching upon Politicks, when all Manner of Licenciousness prevails unnoticed. People steal and lie and cheat and swear & get drunk, and run into Riots, & there is no Preaching against these Vices. Here was a Riot in Boston last Friday Night, & no Body takes Notice of it. We have no legal Execution, any more than Legislation.

Divine.
No Legislation Sir-And, doleful Thing! How comes it to pass Sir!

Pensioner.
I said. We had no legal Execution Sir-As to Legislation, We have no need of any, that I know of-And Licurgus, that wise Lawgiver, was of Opinion, that when once a good System of Laws was established, there was no further Occasion for any Legislature.

Divine.
No Legislature Sir! Why how can the numberless contingent Exigencies of State be provided for? Nay, how can the Government be supported? How will Judges and other Officers of Government be supported?

Pensioner.
Oh! There are sufficient Funds provided for all those Expenses--There are sufficient Funds Sir--Sufficient Funds

† Let it be remembered however, that Licurgus knew his Project would not do, until he had eradicated the Love of Money, from the Breasts of all his People, and by making a Waggon Load of Iron, equal only to a few Pounds, rendering his Coin the Plague and Abhorrence of every Body, rather than the Summum Bonum, as it seems in these Days to be esteemed by certain Placemen and Pensioners.