A Sermon, Delivered Before His Excellency Edward Everett, Governor, His Honor George Hull, Lieutenant Governor, the Honorable Council, and the Legislature of Massachusetts, on the Anniversary Election, January 2, 1839

"A Sermon, Delivered Before His Excellency Edward Everett, Governor, His Honor George Hull, Lieutenant Governor, the Honorable Council, and the Legislature of Massachusetts, on the Anniversary Election, January 2, 1839" by Mark Hopkins, D.D. is a religious sermon delivered in the early 19th century. The work takes a reflective look at the relationship between divine authority and human governance, asserting that individuals should prioritize obedience to God over compliance to human laws. The text expresses a strong theme of moral responsibility and the nature of civil liberty within the context of faith. In the sermon, Hopkins explores the idea that human laws and governments are necessary for societal cohesion but are fundamentally inferior to the divine laws established by God. He argues that true moral perfection is achieved through obedience to divine principles, which are intended to guide human behavior towards individual and social fulfillment. The sermon emphasizes that governments derive their authority from God and must align their laws with divine justice. Hopkins warns against the tyranny of power that seeks to dominate the moral conscience, asserting the importance of a free conscience governed by faith. He concludes by urging political leaders to recognize their duty to uphold God's laws, ensuring that their governance is imbued with moral integrity for the common good. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Mark Hopkins was an American educator and Congregationalist theologian, president of Williams College from 1836 to 1872. An epigram — widely attributed to President James A. Garfield, a student of Hopkins — defined an ideal college as "Mark Hopkins on one end of a log and a student on the other."