Final answer:
Congress released this address to boost American morale, remind people of the cruelties suffered at the hands of the British, and generate support for the war effort.
Step-by-step explanation:
Congress felt the need to boost American morale by releasing this address in early 1778 to rally the nation in the midst of war and attract popular support for itself. The address was distributed to churches and other places of religious worship with the request that ministers read it aloud to their congregation. By reminding the inhabitants of the cruelties they had suffered at the hands of the British and warning them about the potential for more such treatment through reunion with Britain, Congress aimed to unite the American people behind the cause of independence and garner support for the war effort.