This declaration increased the embarrassments of the clergy. To officiate publicly, and not pray for the king and royall family according to the liturgy, Avas against their duty and oath, as well as dictates of their conscience ; and yet to use the prayers for tiie king and royal family would have dra\vn inevitable destruction on them. The only coui'se v»liich they could pursue, to avoid both evils, was to suspend the public exercise of tlieir function, and shut up their chui'ches.

This, accordingly was done. It is very remarkable that although the clergy of those provinces I have mentioned did not, and, indeed, could not, consult each other on this interesting occasion, yet they all fell upon the same metliod in shutting up their churches. The venerable Mr. Beach, of Connecticut, only is to be excepted, if my information be right, who officiated as usual after independency was declared, and, upon being warned of his danger, declared, with the firmness and spirit of a primitive confessor, " That he would do his duty, preach and pray for the king, till the rebels cut out liis tongue."' All the churches in Connecticut, (Mr. Beach's excepted, if the above account be true, and I had it from pretty good authority,) as well as those in this province, except in this city. Long Island, and Staten Island, where his Majesty's arms have penetrated, are now shut up. This is also the case with every church in New Jersey ; and I am informed by a gentleman lately returned from Pennsylvania, who had been a prisoner there for some time,