Isaac Beall, Pastor of the Baptist Church of Christ in Pawlet, Vermont delivered a powerful sermon in 1812.

October 8,1812… election day, to be exact. He delivered this sermon before the Governor, Lt. Governor and Legislature. It’s a sermon today’s pastors would do well to repeat, and politicians to heed.

… good administration of government, rulers must be controlled in all their measures, by truth and integrity. For wisdom without integrity will soon degenerate into cunning and artifice; by which the interest of the community will fall to prey to those who should be their protectors. A magistrate devoid of truth and sincerity is the snare and perdition of his subjects. All power, therefore, should be founded in truth, both in the attainment and exercise of it. The lip of truth shall be established forever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment. Excellent speech becometh not a fool, much less do lying lips a prince.

An administration founded in truth and righteousness will bear the test of scrutiny and prove advantageous in the end: while the duplicity of deceitful politicians will involve both rulers and ruled in perplexity and general ruin. All leading men ought to adopt righteous measures and prosecute them with simple uniformity and honest sincerity.

You can read the entire sermon at WallBuilders. website.