t of the day with illegal business, and did nothing.

It was at this time that the conduct of affairs fell into the hands of
Warren. Adams was away at Philadelphia, and Hancock, though older than
Warren and an excellent figurehead, had neither Warren's wisdom nor his
fiery energy. It was Warren who corresponded with the Congress at
Philadelphia and with the Committees of Correspondence of the
Massachusetts towns, and it was to him that the province naturally
turned. When we remember him as the hero of Bunker Hill, it is well also
to recall him as the tried servant and the excellent adviser of the
public.

One act of his at this point is worth remembering. As we have seen,
Episcopalians were not in good odor with the Massachusetts Whigs; the
colony had been founded as an asylum from "prelacy," and still, after
nearly two hundred and fifty years, the few members of the English
church were chiefly supporters of the crown. Warren now took occasion to
remind his brethren that to the south conditions were different, and
that "the gentlemen of the Established Church of England are men of the
most just and liberal sentiments." In a printed letter he requested fair
treatment of all Episcopalians, and ended by quoting from a letter of
Samuel Adams an account of the Episcopal chaplain of the Philadelphia
Congress, whose first prayer moved many of the members to tears.
Although this chaplain later turned his coat, the reminder was timely
and valuable, for many southern Whigs, among them Washington himself,
were members of the Established Church.

As to the proposed provincial congress, Gage now hastened to forestall
the consequences of his own action. He declared the convening of the
Assembly inexpedient, and removed the obligation to attend. Nevertheless
ninety of the delegates came together, waited a day for the governor,
then formed themselves into a provincial congress, and adjourned. On the
11th of October they met again at Concord, this time with nearly two
hundred more members, and in the old meeting-house began their sessions
with Hancock as their president, but with Warren as the most influential
member of their body.

His influence was thrown on the side of moderation. There were plenty in
the province ready to urge violence. They argued that the old charter
should be resumed; and as if the present acts were not sufficiently
revolutionary, were ready to proceed to violent measures. But the time
had not yet come. Massa