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It is incumbent on us to love our country, and to pray for the peace thereof, on account of —

I. OUR INTIMATE CONNECTION WITH ITS INHABITANTS. If it be natural to the human mind to contract an attachment to those with whom we are united by the ties of affinity and the intercourse of society, then the love of our country is a natural and well-founded affection. It seems to be as natural as the affection of mothers and children, or that between brothers and sisters. It arises out of the very constitution of man, as formed by the hand of God, and is one of the first principles of human nature.

II. OUR FRIENDS AND RELATIVES WHO BELONG TO IT. For many generations past, this has been the land of our ancestors from whom we are descended, and whom we naturally venerate. Here are the sepulchres of our fathers and mothers, the objects of our first and purest affection, whose memories are still dear to us. This is the residence of our friends and neighbours, of our connections and relatives, of all those with whom we are most closely united, and in whose welfare we are most deeply interested. Their happiness, as well as our own, is connected with the public welfare.

III. THE CIVIL FREEDOM WE ENJOY. It is true there may be some defects in the constitution, which experience has discovered, and which time may remedy. And there may be some shameful abuses in the administration which provoke the indignation of the public, and call loudly for redress. Yet, in the midst of these grievances, our situation is preferable to that of almost all nations upon earth.

IV. OUR RELIGIOUS LIBERTY. The rights of conscience are respected, and every man is at liberty to draw his own faith from the Word of God, and to worship the Supreme Being in his own way.

(A. Donnan.)

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KJV: Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee.

WEB: Pray for the peace of Jerusalem. Those who love you will prosper.