This is a list of the known published election day sermons, from 1674 to 1830. Prior to 1710, the semons were printed in Boston. After that date, they were printed in New London, New Haven or Hartford.
Unlike sermons in the Church of England, which were supposed to "please and inspire," New England Congregationalists inherited a rational tradition and argued that a good sermon was to "inform and convince." In colonial New England, the words of the preacher carried great influence. Election Day sermons followed a typical pattern. First, they asserted that civil government is founded on an agreement between God and citizens to establish political systems that promote the common good. Scripture states that government is necessary, but no system is perfect. Therefore, voters and rulers were told that they must do what is needed for their "peculiar circumstances." Second, the people were encouraged to promise to follow those they had elected, and rulers were to promise to act for the good of all. As long as rulers acted "in their proper character," subjects were to obey. On the other hand, if rulers acted contrary to the terms of the agreement, people were "duty bound" to resist.
http://www.ucc.org/ucnews/oct04/election-day-sermons-were-co.html
Cover title: List of Connecticut election sermons
Reprinted from the New-England historical and genealogical register for April, 1892.
