[Massachusetts Election Sermon] A SERMON, PREACHED BEFORE HIS EXCELLENCY JOHN HANCOCK, Esq. GOVERNOUR; The Honourable the Council, and the Honourable the Senate, and House of Representatives, of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, May 28, 1788 by Parson, David - 1788

Boston: Adams & Nourse, 1788. Original Wrappers. Very Good binding. Octavo. 46, [2] pp. First edition. As issued, stitched into self-wrappers, untrimmed. Covers toned and contents foxed; one leaf with a long closed tear at the top margin intruding a couple of lines into the text, but generally a very nice copy with a contemporary presentation inscription on the front wrapper. In this election sermon, Parsons describes the qualities of a successful ruler, a topic, one would imagine, at the forefront of people's mind just a few years after the close of the Revolution and the outset of the a new republic. In his estimation, leadership and government are ordained by god and a successful ruler (a term used by Parsons more than one would expect given the new democratic government in which there are no "rulers") "should study to approve themselves to God, to their own consciences, and to the virtuous among their people, if they would be desirous to be useful, and increase the joy of their citizens" (p. 37). Evans 21360; Sabin 58878.