Election Sermon upon the Commencement of the Texas 82nd Legislature, part 2

Beginning in the 17th century and continuing into the middle of the 19th century, the governing bodies of the colonies, and later the states and the nation, commonly set aside certain days that they along with the people might voluntary assemble for public instruction from the word of God, prayer, thanksgiving, and celebration. At the beginning of each civil year in conjunction with the general election, legislative and executive officers would commonly request ministers to deliver public sermons to the newly elected political bodies. The subject of these "election sermons" was the character and role of government.