The Duty and Reward of Propagating Principles of Religion and virtue exemplified in the history of Abraham : A SERMON PREACH'D BEFORE THE TRUSTEES FOR ESTABLISHING THE COLONY OF GEORGIA IN AMERICA [' Founding of Georgia']

Burton, John

Published by Printed by J. March, and sold by Messieurs Mount and Page, on Tower-Hill., London, 1733

About this Item

A Sermon Preach'd before the Trustees for Establishing the Colony of Georgia in America, and before the Associates of the late Rev. Dor. Thomas Bray for Converting the Negroes in the British Plantations, and for Other Good Purposes. At their anniversary-meeting in the parish church of St. Mary-Le-Bow. On Thursday, March 15, 1732 . by John Burton, B.D. Fellow of Corpus Christi College in Oxford. Published at the Desire of the Trustees and Associates. To which is annexed, The General Account exhibited by the Trustees to the Right Honourable the Lord High Chancellor, and the Lord Chief Justice of His Majesty's Court of Common-Pleas, pursuant to the Directions of their Charter. [Author. Burton, John 1696-1771]. Role in the Founding of Georgia. Burton was recruited by James Oglethorpe, whom he had met at Oxford, to lay plans for a new colony in America. The initiative, which envisioned a model colony founded on humanistic principles, was taken up in 1730 by a philanthropic group known as the Associates of Dr.Thomas Bray. The group applied for a royal charter, which was granted in 1732. The charter created the Trustees for the Establishment of the Colony of Georgia in America, and Burton was named in the charter as a founding Trustee. Given Burton's close relationship with Oglethorpe it is likely he participated in framing the elaborate design of its economic system and settlement plan (see The Oglethorpe Plan). The humanistic principles upon which Georgia was founded were underscored in the Trustees' first annual sermon, which was delivered by Burton. Burton described the new colony as one where colonists would "seem in a literal sense to begin the world again." Leaving behind an Old World system that offered little opportunity, they would become part of a new society that would reward hard work and personal virtue. In the sermon, Burton also articulated a policy of "equity and beneficence" toward indigenous Americans. [When the settling of the Province of Georgia was a live issue, he took an active role, and published in 1764 'An Account of the Designs of the late Dr. Bray, with an Account of their Proceedings,' a tract often reprinted, on the episcopalian Thomas Bray.] Small Quarto, 50pp. Bound in a volume of other contemporary pamphlets. contemporary half vellum. Sabin 9492. RARE AMERICANA. Excellent Copy.

Seller Inventory # 906

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The Duty and Reward of Propagating Principles of Religion and virtue exemplified in the history of Abraham : A SERMON PREACH'D BEFORE THE TRUSTEES FOR ESTABLISHING THE COLONY OF GEORGIA IN AMERICA [' Founding of Georgia']
• Publisher: Printed by J. March, and sold by Messieurs Mount and Page, on Tower-Hill., London
• Publication Date: 1733
• Edition: First Edition.