Channels, Fall 2019

Page 38 Guidone • Liberty Further Extended government and godless revolution and constructed True Republicanism as an exhortation to the people of Rutland. Haynes conceived a Vermont full of religious people who would faithfully execute the laws in place in order to preserve human freedom while avoiding selfishness and vice. 26 Haynes’ biographer, John Saillant, describes True Republicanism as “a political sermon in the Revolutionary tradition, weaving together biblical and republican themes.” 27 Saillant expertly communicates an overall assessment of Haynes’ self-identified purpose as a public figure. Haynes spoke primarily so that people would see heaven as their future, referring to God in True Republicanism on five separate occasions . In addition, Haynes references the will of God and the word of God as tools that aid true republicans in serving both church and state. Another way Haynes describes God in True Republicanism is as “The God of Nature.” Haynes referred to God in this way with Deists and Unitarians from Rutland in mind. This verbiage is very much in line with evangelicalism, which used calculated language in public performance, despite unyielding rhetoric during the Sabbath service. Part of the audience that day in Rutland included Deists, people whose relationship with God centered on reason and a constant assessment of one’s social responsibility rather than special revelation, foreign missions, or covenant theology. Haynes planned to be inclusive while keeping on the Calvinist message. Haynes explains in Civil Government and True Republicanism a pattern of brokenness and downfall, which he attributed to the effects of unmitigated human nature upon society. Many Vermonters were familiar with terms of government, administrators, magistrates, and even old Newgate prison located in Granby, CT, but antagonistic towards church leaders who sought power in the community. 28 Haynes warned the town of Rutland that without adherence to good rules, notwithstanding religion, all of their children might end up in the penitentiary. Haynes discouraged Vermonters from awarding power to those who were undeserving, pausing his religious language to express concern that the public become well educated and informed. Let people be well instructed, let them read the history of kings, and know the rights of men, and it will be difficult to make them believe the names King, Lord, Sovereign, prince, Viscount, and such childish trumpery, ought to command their purse, their property, and liberty; but that goodness, virtue or benevolence, are things that demand veneration. 29 In further response to the citizens whose core beliefs differed from his, Haynes showed benevolence and inclusivity by using language familiar to Deists. “Those who oppose such a form of government,” he boldly declared, “would invert the order of nature, and the constitution of heaven, and destroy the beauty and harmony of the natural and moral worlds.” 30 Many Vermonters may 26 Haynes and Newman, Black Preacher to White America, 85. 27 Saillant, Black Puritan, Black Republican , 63. 28 Haynes and Newman, Black Preacher to White America, 83. Haynes wrote how many youth sink into vice, once they come of age, then remove themselves from the oversight of “tutors and governors”, before “becoming a prisoner at Newgate.” Newgate is a reference to the first state prison in America, located on the Connecticut and Massachusetts border in proximity to Wintonberry, CT quite close to where Haynes trained for the ministry. 29 Haynes and Newman, Black Preacher to White America, 84. 30 Haynes and Newman, Black Preacher to White America, 80.