John Adams to Abigail Adams, 11 June 1775

Phyladelphia June 11. 1775

My Dear

I have been this Morning to hear Mr. Duffil, 1 a Preacher in this City whose Principles, Prayers and Sermons more nearly resemble those of our New England Clergy than any that I have heard.

His Discourse was a kind of Exposition on the thirty fifth Chapter of Isaiah.–€”America was the Wilderness and the Solitary Place, and he said it would be glad, rejoice, and blossom as the Rose. He laboured to strengthen the weak Hands, and confirm the feeble Knees. He said to them that were of a fearful Heart, be strong, fear not: behold your God will come with Vengeance, even God with a Recompence will come and save you. No Lyon shall be there, nor any ravenous Beast shall go up thereon, but the redeemed shall walk there–€”&c.

He applied the whole Prophecy to this Country, and gave us, as animating an Entertainment, as I ever heard. He fill–€™d and swell–€™d the Bosom of every Hearer.

I hope you have received a Letter, in which I inclosed you, a Pastoral Letter from the Synod of New York and Phyladelphia: by this you will see that the Clergy, this Way, are but now beginning to engage in Politicks, and they engage with a fervour that will produce wonderfull Effects. 2