[633] Ibid., p. 21.
[634] Morse, op. cit., p. 21.
[635] Ibid., p. 22.
[636] Ibid., pp. 21, 22. For the time being Morse was content to follow the example of Robison. The latter, in his discussion of English Freemasonry, made a fairly sharp distinction between the English system and the Masonic systems of the continent. That distinction, on the whole, was decidedly favorable to English Freemasonry. By every consideration of precedent and prudence Morse must have felt strongly impelled to pursue the same course.
[637] Ibid., p. 22.
[638] Morse, op. cit., p. 25.
[639] Ibid., pp. 25 et seq.
[640] Cf. supra, [ch. i, 2].
[641] Cf. supra, [pp. 125] et seq.
[642] The editor of as loyal and resourceful a Federalist sheet as the Columbian Centinel, for example, insisted upon treating as a whole the performances of the clergy on the occasion of the national fast, and refused to make discriminations with respect to the special import or merit of any particular minister’s performance: “Wednesday last was observed throughout the United States as a day of Fasting and Prayer. (Within the sphere of our information we can say, that on no occasion were there ever exhibited more moral patriotism, and more ardent devotion.) The Clergy on this occasion came forward with a zeal which added greatly to the high character they have long enjoyed, as Patriots. We could instance numerous traits of Federalism, which would do them honour; but when all of them are entitled to praise, it would be invidious to make distinctions.” (Columbian Centinel, May 12, 1798.)