^8 The Loyalists of Lancaster.
one grand professed Principle in ye Lastly came the political charge
New England Churches ; and one Cor- pure and simple.
ner Stone in their Foundation?" He "His despising contemning and set- then explicitly states his abhorrence ting at naught and speaking Evil of all of " the anti-Christian tenets of Pop- our Civil Rulers, Congress, Continental ers," adding : " However on the other and Provincial, of all our Courts, Legis- hand they receive all the articles of the lative and Executive, are not only sub- Athanasian Creed — and of conse- versive of good Order : But we appre- quence in their present Constitution hend come under Predicament of those they have some Gold, Silver, and pre- spoken of in 2 Pet. H. 10, who despise cious stones as well as much wood, hay, government, presumptuous, selfwilled, and stubble." He characterizes the they are not afraid to speak evil of accusation in this pithy paragraph : Dignities &c."
"Too much Charity is the Charge here Mr. Harrington acknowledges that brought against me, — would to God I he once uttered to a Mr. North this had still more of it in ye most irapor- imprudent speech. " I disapprove tant sense. Instead of a Disqualiiica- abhor and detest the Results of Con- tion, it would be a most enviable ac- gress whether Continental or Provin- complishment in ye Pastor of a Protes- cial," but adds that he " took the first tant New England Church." A sharp opportunity to inform Mr. North that I argumentum ad hominem, for the bene- had respect only to two articles in said fit of the ultra-radical accuser closes Results." He apologizes for the speech, this division of his defence. "But, but at the same time defends his Mr. Moderator, if my charity toward criticism of the two articles as arbitrary some Roman Catholicks disqualifieth measures. He also confesses saying me for a Protestant Minister, what, that " General Court had no Business to what must we think of ye honorable direct Committees to seize on Estates Congress attending Mass in a Body in before they had been Confiscated in a ye Roman Catholic Chappel at Phila- course of Law," and " that their Con- delphia? Must it not be equal mock- stituents never elected or sent them for ery in them to pretend to represent that Purpose," but this sentiment he and act for the United Protestant claimed that he had subsequently re- States.?" . . . tracted as rash and improper to be The third charge was that he had spoken. These objectionable expres- declared himself and one of the breth- sions of opinion, he asserts, were made ren to "be a major part of the Church." " before ye 19th of April 1 775 •" This, like the first charge, was a revival It is needless to say that the Reverend of an old personal grievance within the Timothy Harrington's name was speed- church, rehabilitated to give cumulative ily erased from the black list, and, to force to the political complaints. The the credit of his people be it said, he accusation is summarily disposed of; was treated with increased considera- the accused condemning the sentiment tion and honor during the following "as grossly Tyrannical, inconsistent with eighteen years that he lived to serve common sense and repugnant to good them. In the deliberations of the Lan- order " ; and denying that he ever caster town meeting, as in those of the uttered it. Continental Congress, broad views of
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