"THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION HAS TAKEN THE FILM FROM THE EYES OF NATIONS; AND ENABLED THEM TO READ THE ETERNAL TRUTHS, INSCRIBED BY GOD ON THE HEART OF EVERY HUMAN BEING"

A Sermon Preached Before the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company, In Boston, June 1, 1795, Being the Anniversary of Their Election of Officers. [Boston]: Printed at the Apollo Press, by Joseph Belknap, 1795. Octavo, modern half brown calf; pp. 35. $650.

First edition.

Kirkland's sermon attempts to: "I. To show in what respect war is an evil. II. To prove, though it be in many respects an evil, yet that it is, under the conduct of diving Providence, in known and unknown ways, made productive of good. III. To represent, that as, by the influence of Christianity, of arts and civilization, the horrors of war have been mitigated; so we have reason to believe, that, by the increase of this influence, and the progress of knowledge and liberty, a period will be put to contentions by force, and the world be blessed with universal and perpetual peace." Evans, 28932. Sabin, 38005.

Dampstain to top inner edge of text, heavier to first few leaves; reinforcement to inner margin of first and last leaf. Handsomely bound.