^^.? ^'^^ 
 
 >4 
 
 
 IMAGE EVALUATION 
 TEST TARGET (MT-3) 
 
 1.0 ^ui m 
 
 u* lU ■2.2 
 £ lis 12.0 
 
 I.I 
 
 li^l 
 
 1.4 
 
 1.6 
 
 Sciences 
 Corporalion 
 
 ^ .«'*« 
 
 
 ^ 
 
 
 ^. 
 
 
 23 WIST MAM STRKT 
 
 WIISTM,N.Y. I4SM 
 
 (71«)t73-4S03 
 
 
 O^ 
 

 CIHM/ICMH 
 
 Microfiche 
 
 Series. 
 
 CIHIVI/ICIVIH 
 Collection de 
 microfiches. 
 
 Canadian Institute for Historicai IMicroraproductions / institut Canadian da microraproductiona historiquas 
 
Tachnical and Bibliographic Notas/Notaa tachniquas at bibliographiquaa 
 
 Tha instituta haa anamptad to obtain tha baat 
 original copy avaiiabia for filming. Faaturaa of thia 
 copy which may Isa bibiiographically uniqua, 
 which may altar any of tha imagaa in tha 
 raproduction, or which may aignificantly changa 
 tha uaual mathod of filming, ara chackad balow. 
 
 D 
 
 D 
 D 
 
 D 
 
 D 
 
 Colourad covara/ 
 Couvartura da coulaur 
 
 I I Covara damagad/ 
 
 Couvartura andommagte 
 
 Covara raatorad and/or laminatad/ 
 Couvartura raataurta at/ou pallicuite 
 
 Covar titia miaaing/ 
 
 La titra da couvartura manqua 
 
 Colourad mapa/ 
 
 Cartaa gAographiquaa an coulaur 
 
 Colourad inic (i.a. othar than biua or black)/ 
 Encra da coulaur (i.a. autra qua blaua cu noira) 
 
 Colourad plataa and/or iiluatrationa/ 
 Planchaa at/ou illuatrations an coulaur 
 
 Bound with othar matarial/ 
 RaiiA avac d'autraa documanta 
 
 Tight binding may cauaa ahadow« or diatortion 
 along intarior margin/ 
 
 Lareliura aarria paut cauaar da I'ombra ou da la 
 diatortion la long da la marga IntAriaura 
 
 Blank laavaa addad during raatoration may 
 appaar within tha taxt. Whanavar poaaibia, thaaa 
 hava baan omittad from filming/ 
 II aa paut qua cartainaa pagaa blanchaa ajouttea 
 lora d'una raatauration apparaiaaant dana la taxta, 
 maia, ioraqua cala Atait poaaibia, caa pagaa n'ont 
 paa At* filmtea. 
 
 Additional commanta:/ 
 Commantairaa aupplAmantairaa: 
 
 Tha 
 tot 
 
 L'Inatitut a microfilm^ la maillaur axamplaira 
 qu'il lui a AtA poaaibia da aa procurar. Laa ditaila 
 da cat axamplaira qui aont paut-Atra uniquaa du 
 point da vua bibliographiqua, qui pauvant modif iar 
 una imaga raproduita, ou qui pauvant axigar una 
 modification dana la mithoda normala da filmaga 
 aont indiquAa ci-daaaoua. 
 
 D 
 D 
 D 
 
 D 
 
 n 
 
 D 
 D 
 D 
 
 Colourad pagaa/ 
 Pagaa da coulaur 
 
 Pagaa damagad/ 
 Pagaa andommagAaa 
 
 Pagaa raatorad and/or laminatad/ 
 Pagaa raataurAaa at/ou palliculAaa 
 
 Pagaa diacolourad, atainad or foxad/ 
 Pagaa dAcolorAaa, tachatAaa ou piquAaa 
 
 Pagaa datachad/ 
 Pagaa dAtachtea 
 
 Showthrough/ 
 Tranaparanca 
 
 Quality of print variaa/ 
 Quality InAgaia da I'impraaaion 
 
 includaa aupplamantary matarial/ 
 Comprand du material aupplAmantaira 
 
 Only adition avaiiabia/ 
 Saula MKion diaponibia 
 
 Pagaa wholly or partially obacurad by arrata 
 alipa, tiaauaa, ate hava baan rafilmad to 
 anaura tha baat poaaibia imaga/ 
 Laa pagaa totalamant ou partiallamant 
 obacurciaa par un fauillat d'arrata, una palura, 
 ate, ont AtA filmAaa A nouvaau da fapon A 
 obtanir la maillaura imaga poaaibia. 
 
 Thia itam la filmad at tha raduction ratio chackad baiow/ 
 
 Ca documant aat f iim* au taux da rMuction indiqui ci-daaaoua. 
 
 Tha 
 poa 
 of 
 flM 
 
 Orif 
 bag 
 tha 
 aior 
 othi 
 firat 
 aior 
 or 11 
 
 Tha 
 aha 
 TIN 
 whi 
 
 Mai 
 diff 
 anti 
 bag 
 righ 
 raqi 
 mat 
 
 10X 
 
 
 
 
 14X 
 
 
 
 
 18X 
 
 
 
 
 22X 
 
 
 
 
 26X 
 
 
 
 
 30X 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 y 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 H 
 
 12X 
 
 16X 
 
 20X 
 
 24X 
 
 28X 
 
 32X 
 
air* 
 
 I details 
 iua« du 
 t modifier 
 igar una 
 » filmaga 
 
 Tha copy filmad hara haa baan raproducad thanka 
 to tha ganaroaity of: 
 
 Nationai Library of Canada 
 
 Tha imagaa appearing hara ara tha baat quaiity 
 poaaibia conaidaring tha condition and iagibiiity 
 of tha originai copy and in Icaaping with tha 
 filming contract apacif icationa. 
 
 L'axampiaira fiimA fut raproduit grAca k la 
 giniroaiti da: 
 
 BibliothAqua nationala du Canada 
 
 Laa imagaa auivantaa ont AtA raproduitaa avac la 
 plua grand aoin, compta tanu da la condition at 
 da la nattatA da rexamplaira film*, at an 
 conformit* avac laa conditiona du contrat da 
 filmaga. 
 
 j^aa 
 
 Original copiaa in printed paper covera ara filmad 
 beginning with the front cover and ending on 
 the laat page with a printed or illuatratad imprea- 
 aion, or the back cover when appropriate. All 
 other original copiaa are filmed beginning on the 
 f irat page with a printed or illuatratad impraa- 
 aion, and ending on the laat page with a printed 
 or illuatratad impraaaion. 
 
 Laa axempleirea originaux dont la couverture en 
 papier eat imprimte aont fiimia en commenpant 
 par la premier plat at an terminant aoit par la 
 darnlAre pege qui comporte une empreinte 
 d'impreaaion ou d'illuatration, aoit par la second 
 plat, aaion le caa. Toua las autres axemplairas 
 originaux aont fiimAa an commen9ant par la 
 pramiAre page qui comporte une empreinte 
 d'impreaaion ou d'illuatration at en terminant par 
 la darniAre page qui comporte une telle 
 empreinte. 
 
 The laat recorded frame on each microfiche 
 ahall contain tha aymbol — ^ (meoning "CON- 
 TINUED"), or the aymbol V (meaning "END"), 
 whichever appliea. 
 
 Un dea aymbolea suivants apparattra sur la 
 darniAre image de cheque microfiche, selon la 
 caa: le aymbole — ^ signifie "A SUIVRE". le 
 symbols V signifie "FIN". 
 
 ire 
 
 Maps, plates, charta. etc., may be filmed at 
 different reduction ratios. Those too large to be 
 entirely included in one expoaura are filmed 
 beginning in the upper left hand corner, left to 
 right and top to bottom, aa many framea aa 
 required. The following diagrams illuatrate the 
 method: 
 
 Lea cartes, planches, tableaux, etc., peuvent Atre 
 filmAa A dea taux da reduction diffArents. 
 Lorsque le document est trop grand pour hue 
 reproduit en un aaui ciichA, 11 est film* A partir 
 de Tangle aupArieur gauche, de gauche A droite, 
 et de haut en bas, en prenant le nombre 
 d'images nAcessaire. Lea diagrammes suivants 
 illustrent la mAthode. 
 
 )y errata 
 ad to 
 
 int 
 
 ne pelure. 
 
 ifon A 
 
 1 
 
 2 
 
 3 
 
 32X 
 
 1 
 
 2 
 
 3 
 
 4 
 
 5 
 
 6 
 
/ ,^ .# w 
 
 
 3 m IE m © ^d 
 
 OCCASIONED BY" 
 
 Sn^e IP^ati^ 
 
 OF THE LATE 
 
 MR. ROBERT WATSON, 
 
 PREACHED IN 
 
 ST. ANDREW'S CHURCH, MONTREAL, 
 APRIL 8tii, 1827- 
 
 ALEXANDER MATHIESON, A. M. 
 
 JHontrM : 
 
 PRINTED AT THE HERALD OFFICE, 
 
 1827. 
 
I 
 
 I 
 
 
1PS27A0X« 
 
 The circumstances which gave occasion to the following Sermon, 
 are yet fresh in the recollection of the inhabitants of this city, and 
 its nci'^libourhood ; and were of a character likely to preserve them 
 nnich longer from oblivion, than most of the occurrences in life. 
 It will be rcnu mbered, that Mr. Watson, at the moment he received 
 the wound which terminated so fatally, and theVVriter, were in the same 
 room," engaged in conversation. The shock which the latter pcrson'i 
 feelings received from a transaction, every feature of which was calcu- 
 lated to excite alarm, and distract the attention even of those who were 
 not so immediately in contact with it ; rendered it peculiarly diHicult for 
 him, to bring his- mind, lor sometime afterwards, to bear closely upon 
 fcny subject. It was under this disadvantage, in the discharge of ordi- 
 nary duty ; and solely with a design to make a suitable improvement 
 of the melancholy event, that the following reflections were drawn up, 
 — and with no view whatever to publication. Aware too, that he 
 could have little time to make such alterations, or corrections, a<i 
 would make them fit for public inspection ; it was not till after he had 
 been repeatedly solicited by individuals whom he did not wish to 
 disoblige ; that he at last consented to have them printed. 
 
 It is more to account for the length of time that has elapsed since 
 this discourse >vas preached, and to serve as a key to some allusions 
 in it, than with a view to soften down the asperity of criticism; that 
 these remarks are made. However much he might be inclined to 
 plead for mercy, in behalf of a production which lie is convinced so 
 much requires it, — he is aware that he can have no legitimate claim 
 on the lenity of the public, having it in his power to witldiold the dis- 
 course, or to submit it to their judgment, as he pleases; and therefore, 
 BO soon as he resolves to submit it, is fairly responsible for all its errors 
 and imperfections. He cannot say, that he is altogether insensible to 
 public opinion, but whatever the public may think of the following^ 
 sheets, he is conscious that he is more concerned, that they may be 
 productive in some degree of the beneficial effects, with a view to 
 which they were written, — than to obtain celebrity by them ; which 
 he knows well they are but ill-calculated to procure. But of this, it 
 is the prerogative of the reader to judge for himself. 
 
 »i0ntrtml, %U May, It37. 
 
I 
 
SERMON 
 
 OS 
 
 CIjc Drat!) 
 
 or Tll£ LATX 
 
 mm. 'J4©3311T "W^A'XuDlT, 
 
 "VOU DKATll MATH COMl'. 1 1' INT.' I-IU "ixr,0«r." 
 
 Ji;r.r.Mi\ii, nc, 2K 
 
 «• The uholc race of man is doomed to dissolution, and v.e arc all 
 fast hastening to our long lu,mc." This is a truth of which we have 
 daily demonstration ;-a truth which is no less obvious to the heed- 
 le«;s and the unthinking, than it is to the wisest and n.o.st learned o( 
 the children of men. Yet obvious as it i. ; the Ahni{.hty considered U 
 <.f such incalculable importance to ma , Huit he commanded Ins pro- 
 phcl, to make a solemn proclanmtiou of :i to his people : - " And the 
 voice said, Cry; and he said, what r.hull I cry?-All f.csh is grass, 
 and all the godliness thereof is as the flower of the licld:— Ihc 
 grass withcrcth, the flower (adeth; bcoausa the spiiit of the Lord 
 Ijloweth upon it: surely the people is grass. The gra.s w.therclh, 
 the (lower iadfth ; but the word of our God shall stand for ever."* 
 Though the vanity nr.d insufficiency of every thing earthly, is thus 
 solemnly announced-though there is not an occurrence m hie 
 but what is (alculated to remind us of it; yet it i.s a truth which 
 
 • Itaiali XL. C, 7, 8, 
 
® 
 
 yourg »nt! old, ri<h mid pour, «liki.> disregard. 'Hiej art lo absorb' 
 <d cither in tlic* [)iii>uit, or in tli« ciijuyn)ent of what it present 
 aid Bcnsihk', that in ih'i^e alone, they kCfiu to expect a substan* 
 tial and cnchiring go.ul. 1 hoy sceni to huve no hope, but what 
 tliiii transitory woiid nflords ; no untieipatiuii, beyond the dark and 
 drc.iry prccincti oillie yrnve. 
 
 All, however, will in tlioory, ndmit tlie uncertainty and the un- 
 gaii'ifartory lu'tiirc of all .std;lun;iry enj(i\nienti. 'I'liey will, without 
 hesitation, tell yi>ii, they know lull well that they must die — that 
 they nnist f)uit thopc scenes endeared to them by many a fond recol- 
 lection, ami those fricruls linked to their happiness by many a tender 
 tic, — that tlie time uili sooner or later come, when they must relin* 
 cjiiish the hop"s, and prn^pects, and enjoyments, that now exeito 
 their industry, and rouse their exertion, and ;;ratify their wishes; 
 and that, at the stern command of Death, they must submit to lie 
 (inwn in the cold ar.d silent grave, and become tKe companions of 
 corruption, and the bancpiet of the noisome worm. They will also, 
 with but few exceptions, tell you that they are firmly persuaded, 
 that this life forms but a comparatively small portion of our exist- 
 ence; — that the soul shall return to (lod who gave it, to be judged 
 nccording to the rules of immutable justice; — that the body shall not 
 forever slumber in the dust, but that, by the power of the Almighty, 
 it shall be awakened to new life ; and that it will, throughout the 
 endless ages of eternity, either suifer the punishment of uncxpiatcd 
 guilt, or enjoy the rewards of a blessed immortality. 
 
 There is an awfulness, and a mysteriousncss investing our ideas 
 of eternity, especially if its boundless prospect be viewed in connec- 
 tion witli our own existence, that one would think would be sufficient 
 to check our mad career of inconsideration, and dispose us to think 
 seriously of, and prepare for our future state of being. Yet, with so 
 much evidence before us, attesting the certainty of a life to come 
 lind that fact itself, involving so many considerations which ought to 
 
 
• 10 abforb* 
 It Is present 
 
 t a stibstait. 
 ^'t but what 
 «' <inik and 
 
 nnd the «n- 
 i", without 
 t ihc— that 
 /'ond rccol- 
 'iy a tender 
 "lust rch'n. 
 now excito 
 fir wishes; 
 ibniit to h'e 
 ipanions of 
 will also, 
 persuaded, 
 our exist- 
 be Judged 
 ^ shall not 
 Ahnighty. 
 ghout the 
 ncxpiated 
 
 "r ideas 
 connec- 
 iufficient 
 to think 
 with so 
 -o come 
 ught to 
 
 giTt i leriouintu and luleniuity to our thou^bti and coi'duot ; 
 we ttill run ou in a course of lieedlessnei* and tbllv, and w« 
 iudutttriously try to exclude from our \icw iluue proipects, that 
 are at once most certain nnd most awful ; or, ii" we view tlictn 
 At all, it is through the long \ista of intervcnini; years, wliich all fancy 
 to lie between tlicniselves, as individual^ nnd these dread reulitits. 
 Whatever concern we manifest on this sul)jcct, it is lc,s frc(j;iently 
 for ourselves than for others. VVhutcver apnrfhcnsion of danger we 
 feel, on most occasions, it is only i'or oihcrs. litre, alono, we lose that 
 nelfishness which in every thing else is inseparable from our c;induct ; 
 and though we our-^elves may be placed in thf same, «)r perhaps even 
 nmrc perilous circumstances, we seldom or never iumgine that the dan- 
 ger can come nigh to us. If wc are young, li.e a'ul hajjpincss are yit 
 in prospect; nnd hope and fancy spread before us such ban-jutts of 
 anticicipated bliss, that wc have scarcely a thought to bestow on 
 any subject, that is not immediately associated with their enjoymeit. 
 If we have arrived at the age of maidiood, in the full ccniidcnce of 
 health and strength, we put the day far from U3, that must sever us 
 from all those we love on this side of time. If our "days are dwin- 
 dled to the shortest ^pan ;" if our bodily vigjur has faik-d us, and 
 our intellectual energy is gone, and the l.oary blossoms of the grave, 
 thinly scattered on our wrii;kled brow, mouiiifuily annouce, that we 
 must be soon gathered to our fathers ; still we feel ourselves so iden- 
 tified with the things around us, that we can scarcely believe that 
 we will ever be separated from them. LiLe the aged ivy, that plants 
 its fibres more deeply, as time consumes and crumbles down the fiail 
 fabric which supports it; so we cling more clos-ly to the vanities of 
 life, in proportion as age enfeebles our grasp ; and even when totter- 
 ing on the brink of the grave, we contimie to hope that many dnyg 
 of earthly enjoyment will yet be extended to us. 
 
 Thus, though all men will readily admit, that sublunary enjoyments 
 are equally uncertain and unsatisfactory; yet all pursue them with the 
 greatest aridity. This monstrous inconsistency between our pro- 
 
 I 
 
ft'Siioni mid our prncticr, — (Ims dccItlLcl prt-fttciice uliicli we give to 
 tlie nunn niul pcrisliiri^^ tiiiiii^!) vi' tliii lil'i', arises, uixjiicstionubly, 
 from the want oi' a just pcrci'plion, and a Iicart-fi'lt conviction ol' 
 tiici" wortlilcssncsH and in.si^nilicar.ce, in coinparisun with tlic things 
 of eternity. It is well know n, that n nitre j'ljecnlativc bcliif has 
 liffle or no power over our aetio:is. Hut were we Impressed >viili the 
 full and aliidinp: eonviiti;in, " rliat the lliin,';s which are seen arc tem- 
 poral, but llie ihiiij^s which arc unseen are eternal," — that the 
 happiness v. iiich these alFord is I'ully conuncnsurate to tmr immortal 
 di.*sires; and that the plea&ures, which tiiose yield, are all "vanity 
 and vexation of spirit;" — aiul, thus convinced, did wc fee! ourselves 
 placed in the situation of beinjjs who had a deep and personal interest 
 in these truths ; we arc no constituted, that ail those encrjjies which 
 the natural, and the universal desire of happiness brings into exertion, 
 would be diverted from the pursuit of wealth, of power, of fame, of 
 worldly grandeur, and sensual pleasures, to the kingdom of Cod and 
 his rightcouMiess. But wc have not by naturo this inHuentiai convic- 
 tion, nor do wc give ourselves up to that calm and serious reflection, 
 by which, the Spirit of God usually produces it on the mind of 
 man. This is a disposition of mind which the sinner is averse 
 to cherish, because it exhibits his weakness, his wickedness, and 
 his foil}', in a light which is too mortifying to his pride and 
 vanity. It creates an an?:iety and an uneasiness about his condition, 
 which ill suits with that spiritual lethargy into which sin hos plunged 
 him ; and it checks the free and uncontrolled indulgence in those il- 
 licit pleasures to which he has become habitually attached. It is, 
 too, a disposition of mind to which many of the circumstances of life 
 are ur.coki^cnial; and can never be vigorously exercised amid the 
 noise and bustle — the vanities and pleasures — the cares and crosses 
 of active life. 
 
 f 
 
 (•I 
 
 ('1 
 
 t. 
 
 V 
 
 1 
 
 Circumstances, however, often occur, which force upon the mind 
 more serious thoughts and feelings, notwithstanding this rooted aver- 
 sion to receive and entertain them, — circumitaHces that are calculate 
 
*^<' HI veto 
 
 >09tinnahly, 
 '^"ivictioii of 
 I' '''t' tilings 
 
 " 'irc {(.,„. 
 [—tlmt tlip 
 '' 'iinijortul 
 
 oiirse/ves 
 
 >Ul JllttTCSt 
 
 ' t'Xcrt/ou, 
 'i»'ne, of 
 Cod and 
 |ai convic- 
 tflcction, 
 ? mind of 
 s averse 
 less, and 
 ■'Je and 
 'ndit/oii, 
 
 f^Iungcd 
 Jiose il. 
 
 It IS, 
 
 ' of life 
 
 ■fosses 
 
 mind 
 aver- 
 ulat-. 
 
 ftil to revive a ctruj i>f our veipomlMlity ti» nn nll-nigp aiwl lioly 
 God • and the pcrv^nal interest wc all luivc in tlic <lrc"id rcalificK tA' 
 f 'trrtiiv. WhcMi i!i«ii]'poinltni'nli cloud our prospects, ai;d the Icai . 
 oi' (iHliction Ir-diiii our eves — u?t( :» the nppaliop evidcuct h of nior- 
 taliiv arc under our imtnnliafc notice, nnd. as it were, pnscnt visiliiy 
 bi^forc ui the fjrim Kii\'^ of Terrors, — then, inspitcofthe solicitntioni 
 of aiu. and the cravinf;-* of our evil lia!)its ; the mind U led to rejec- 
 tion, nnd hroii^dit to feel the utter vanity of human cnjoymei.tH; and 
 tau;;ht to look heyond the pave, for i!emethin|.^ nu)ro real, more por- 
 Kiauer.t, more salislaelory, than all th;it thi i world can give. 
 
 It is in such moments, that ndmonitiiiu finds the readiest access, and 
 leave:* the ir.ost p.ermancnt imprei?si.uis on the heart. It has acj-ord- 
 ingly been stroii}:ly rccununend.d to the teachers of reli|,'ion, by men 
 whose epiniuns arc entitled t.) the hij^hest respect,* to avail themselves 
 of the opportunities ihey niay pooscss, to f;ive additional forte and 
 rflicacy la the instructiojis which they wish to communicate, by judi- 
 ciously advcrtin;:; to such recent events, as excite the {jencral symjia- 
 tliy of mankind, and render ilicir mind:; more susceptible of salutary 
 impreSflioui. 
 
 An event o( the most app.dinpf description, you arc all aware, has 
 recently spread conslernatitju ihroopjhout this city, l^uried, as yet, 
 in the profoundest mystery : and comLjining so nuuiy circumstance* 
 that are at once caleuhitcd to awakeu the most inui,ijnant feelings, 
 against the cold-blooded perpetrator of o.ic of the most deliberate 
 nnd foulest deeds that slain the annals of human crime ; and to cx- 
 
 • Sii lui«n violent, ami uniimtly Heatlis, or ilcatli accnmpanicd l-y «ny ciiTum- 
 «Mvrps oT Ktjrprisp, or i(rc;;ii!.i.iiy, iisw.i'Iy It'ivc :in i.jipii.-svioM ii;)iiii a «lio!« 
 jitijjIibourlioDtl. A Cliri lian Jiaclier i:t wantinj; in attoition to ri)pi)rtunitics wlio 
 •loi's not nvni! Iiiriistlf of tlil-i iiiiini'.sion. 'i!u' uiu'filairJy of lifi- ri'ijiiiri.'S no proof, 
 but tlip power nnl iolhioncc wliicli lliis consuloration »liall obUtiti ovct tlit' dccisio'i* 
 citlio mind will (Icpcin! nioa'y iipcn (lie circ.iir.st-iiiros under wliidi it i!>]iicsented 
 to t!!3 im ijrination. Di^io.iscs upon tlie sn^j ct come wiili tenfold force wl.on 
 iticy are directed to a I't-ntt r.lrcady t uclied Iiy ionr: near, rtfcent, and ad'ectin^ ck-. 
 ninj)!,' of liunian mortality.— I'Ai.iiv. 
 
10 
 
 cite the deepest commiseration, for those whose hearts he hath loiji 
 with the bitterest anguish : — it woukl betray a callous intlifll rciice, 
 approximating to the brutal insensibih'ty of the assassin himself, to 
 contemplate this event without concern — it would argue a most 
 blameable disrespect for the intimations of Providence to allow it to 
 pass over, without attempting to profit by those lessons, which, doubt- 
 less, the all-w isc Disposer of events, in the permission of such a 
 melancholy catastrophe, intended to convey unto us. 
 
 I regret, my brethren, that I am so ill-qualified to lead those emo- 
 tions, which this awful occurrence must have awakened in your 
 minds, into proper channels. Stunned and confounded as my mind, 
 for the last few days, has been, and incapable even of ordinary exer- 
 cise ; I shall obtain more than I can reasonably hope for, if the imper- 
 fect observations that I now make, shall suggest any thing which you 
 may follow up for yourselves, inyour hours of meditation and retire- 
 ment, and improve to your own advantage. The subject is pregnant 
 with useful instruction : — the suddenness, the awfulness, indeed, 
 every feature of this solemn visitation is calculated to leave tlic 
 deepest, and if, by the Spirit of God, sanctified unto us, the most 
 salutary impressions upon our hearts. 
 
 is mt 
 the N>| 
 
 circi| 
 
 arc 
 
 wo 
 
 nioil 
 
 Jcsl 
 
 diiv 
 
 to 
 
 We cannot but deplore an occurrence which has deprived us all, of 
 the services of an honest man and a worthy citizen — and many of 
 us, of the society and sympathies, of an amiable and kind-hearted 
 friend. But let us not waste our time in vain — vain, because un- 
 availing, regret. Rather let us endeavour to recognise in this 
 transaction, the finger of God ; and though we may not be able to 
 explore the reason of his conduct, we may improve it to our ad- 
 vantage ; and obtain those consolations which will enable us, with 
 patience and resignation, to submit to his will. 
 
 It has often occurred to me, that there is perhaps nothing in the 
 whole compass of Divine Providence, where the goodness of the Deity 
 
 * . T ' . ^ a. w^*»wi 
 
^'aJii foiii 
 
 I'mscW, to 
 P^ fl niost 
 laliou- It to 
 
 hK ilouht. 
 0^ sucli a 
 
 'ose emo- 
 
 ^y mini], 
 "■y cxcr- 
 
 'iich 
 
 J'ou 
 
 <I rctire- 
 '^'■cgnaiit 
 
 nulccd, 
 avc ti'je 
 c most 
 
 a/i, of 
 "y of 
 iirtcd 
 ? un- 
 J/i/s 
 e to 
 ad. 
 vith 
 
 it 
 
 he 
 
 11 
 
 is more con.ipicuously displnycdl, than in the mode in which he inflicts 
 the washes of sin. All mankind, in consequence of their disobedience, 
 were doomed to sorrow and suffering, and finally to death ; yet these 
 circumstances, which we are apt to regard as our bitterest afflictions, 
 arc converted by infinite mercy into positive good. Hard of heart as 
 we are, we can believe that " the light afflictions, which are but for a 
 moment," are all productive of the good of them who are in Christ 
 Jesus ; and short-sighted as we are, we can perceive, even from the 
 darkness of death, to emanate our most substantial blessings. Death, 
 to the upright, is the welcome messenger of peace, which transfers 
 them from sublunary wo to enduring felicity; and, at the same time, 
 is the impressive teacher of the most important lessons to all those, 
 who are for a little spared from his rapacity. The daily demonstra- 
 tions of his power, especially when he comes forth invested with the 
 attributes of terror, lead us to put a proper estimate, both on the 
 things of this world, and of the next — warn us to repress our unruly 
 appetites and passions, the indulgence of which would eventually 
 become our greatest misery; and stimulate us to the acquisition of 
 qualities, which could not be efiected without the dissolution of the 
 body. When the mind, at the same time, is softened by sorrow 
 for the friends, whom, with our bodily eyes, we no longer behold, it 
 naturally turns in pensive contemplation to that land of Spirits 
 whither they are gone, and dwells on its delights witli peaceful com- 
 placency ; and is seldom diverted till it x;atches something of the 
 Bpirit which pervades every bosom there. 
 
 Were it not for that selfishness, which is inseparable from our pre- 
 sent condition, there is nothing in our temporary separation from our 
 Christian friends by death, that would excite our sorrow. Were we 
 to consider the event, merely in reference to those who are no longer 
 with us, instead of being a matter for condolence, would be a cause 
 for congratulation, for what is there in this weary, trifling world, 
 which should so attach us to it, that we would wish those, whom we 
 dearly love, to live here always? But, while we remain on earth, there 
 
i^ 
 
 li 
 
 ,'l 
 
 ril 
 
 
 must always be something ecu'tl^Iy nhout ui — sotn'* i!i,irnct"i-'<iti<J 
 feature of the country and c!I:ne to which we belong — something to 
 attach us to those scenes, that arc associated with all th.at we have 
 yet experienced of hanpincso. I kiiow no ties v.hich bind us stroTM,aT 
 to the world, than the ties of consanguinity and iVicr.d.ihip — nothing 
 that will more clearly evince what kind cf people we arc, than the 
 little sympathies and endearments v.hich such connections excite. 
 There must, then, be always somethinjj inexpressibly acute in the 
 pangs of separation from those, with whose existence is associated our 
 holiest and happiest days, — nor are we commaiuled to repress those 
 tender emotions which spiing up in the mind on such occasions. On 
 the contrary, we are permitted to sorrow, "but not as those who are 
 without hope ;" — and we read of liim, who was without sin, having 
 wept at the tomb of his friend. 
 
 While, therefore, on the present occasion, we may with propriety 
 indulge the amiable weaknesses of our nature, we ought not to per- 
 mit the swollen tide of our grief, ui assuaged by the consolations of 
 religion, to flow darkly and silently on : — for God hath not called 
 him hence without leaving us the well-grounded hjpe, that he was 
 made meet, by the merits of his Redeemer, to be a j)artaker of the 
 inheritance of the saintj in light. Why, then, should we regret his 
 departure from this wicked world ? He is now far beyond the cares 
 and troubles which ere the inseparable concomitants of mortal life ; 
 and if our kindness cannot extond to him, neither will the deadly 
 malice of the revengeful reach him any more. 
 
 
 pVr.l 
 ihil 
 
 iv.ol 
 
 sor 
 thi 
 
 Wliile he continued with us as a pilgrim on this earth, he con- 
 ducted himself so meekly and uprightly, that it is a matter of astonish- 
 ment to all that one so inoffensive and kind should be the victim of 
 such inhuman ferocity. From the particular walk to which my 
 intercourse with society has been chiefly confined, and being a 
 stranger, in a great measure, to the transactions of the mercantile 
 world ; I cannot venture from my own personal knowledge and 
 
 
15 
 
 "e JiavG 
 
 t/ian tl'.o 
 
 ^' j'a the 
 ^'fecl our 
 
 OS. 0„ 
 u/)o are 
 
 oprietj 
 to per- 
 oiis of 
 called 
 
 -t ills 
 
 Uth ; 
 
 )n- 
 of 
 
 'y 
 
 a 
 e 
 i 
 
 i 
 
 t';pcrler.cc, to pronomicd r.iiy ji'dffment in thnt respect, on the 
 priiv'iplos and cli;'.racttT of him wlio is nnv/ ilep:irted ; but I know 
 tfiut the universal sentiment ainonj^ tliose wlio knew him jjesf, is 
 most strongly in hi.s favour, and has hcen expressed in :i manner 
 llic most honourable to hir, memory, and tiie most gratifyiiifj to hi>j 
 St)rro\vinf^ friends; in tlie deep commiseration with hij fate, and 
 their bereavement ; v.hich you h^ve all mnnifested on tin':-; mourn- 
 ful occasion. His private life was no Ict-s distinj.^uislicd l)y tiic strict 
 and faithful di:iehan.;o of thnse relative duties, which as a hus- 
 band, a son, a brother, and a friend, were incumbent upon hini. It 
 is in the hours of free and unfettered communion of thought and feel- 
 ing, that the genuine dispositions of tlie lieart are most clearly seen ; 
 and in such circumstances, I have had an opportunity more than once, 
 of ascertaining what were his, and I tliink it by no means degrades tiie 
 sanctity of the place where I stand, that I now bear my feeble testi- 
 mony to his departed worth. Possessed of a taste for reading, his 
 mind was more enlarged, and his views more comprclicnsivc and en- 
 lightened, than is generally the case among men in the same sj)licre 
 of life. His affection* were ardent, and liis charity extended to all, — 
 I mean not, (though his hand was liberal,) the mere circum:^lance of 
 affording pecuniary relief, but that general expression of a benevolent 
 ami humane heart, which showed itself in talla'ng evil of no one — in 
 wiohing well to all — and in a promptness to perform, in so far as 
 hiy in his power, whatever would in any degree tend to the real 
 welfare of others. Possessed of as delicate a sense of honour as I 
 have seen exhibited by any individual, that attribute was also com- 
 bined with a generosity which rendered him peculiarly alive to the suf- 
 ferings of the oppressed ; and I must say, if ever I observed that most 
 imperturbable good nature which characterised him in any degree 
 stiaded — for ruffled it was not — it was once when he expressed his 
 iiKlignation at a case of cruelty and oppression which had come un- 
 der his own knowledge. His religious opinions, I have every reason 
 tx) believe, were correct, and his sentiments sincere. His ^vihh was 
 I know, that these should be founded entirely on the bible, without 
 
u. 
 
 14 
 
 ^1 
 
 ■i 
 
 any undue regard to the conflicting opinions of men— though,, at the 
 same time, hu was always ready to \>ay a due deference to the opini- 
 ons of those who were reputed for wisdom and inforn)alion. If his 
 piety seemed to any one less intense than perhaps they would have 
 wished, I am persuaded that it was more so in appearance than re- 
 ality ; and that such impressions, if they have been entertained, have, 
 in a great degree, if not altogether, arisen from the extreme modesty, 
 and abhorrence of Iiypocrisy, which led him frequently to talk, and 
 to think meanly of his own attainments in the Christian life, and 
 scrupulously to avoid every thing like ostentation. I shall not soon 
 forget some happy hours I have enjoyed in liis society - and an inti- 
 macy that was fast ripening into friendship. I shull never forget the 
 innocent, the interesting conversation, which preceded that awful mo- 
 nieni when the thunders of the cowardly, cold-blooded assassin, so 
 suddenly interrupted the tranquillity of our domestic repose; and 
 introduced death, and lamentation, and wo — literally in the man- 
 ner expressed in our text, — among those who, but a moment 
 before, felt perfectly secure from harm and happy in each other's 
 society. 
 
 How mysterious often are the ways of Providence, in permitting: 
 those to be the victims of the keenest resentment and implacable 
 hatred, whose unassuming and peaceable deportment, render them 
 the least likely to give offence, or awaken hostilities of any sort. 
 Indeed if we limit our views of those dark dispensations which are 
 80 frequent in life, to the short space of mortal existence, we will 
 find it difficult to reconcile the manifold evils which man is destined 
 to suffer, with the belief that there is an infinitely perfect Being who 
 superintends every event, and who regards us with all the tenderness 
 and solicitude of a father. But when viewed in connexion wi th that 
 eternity of being which the scriptures of truth reveal, the doubts and 
 darkness which invest them, in a great degree disappear ; and though, 
 from the weakness and imperfection of our faculties, we may not be 
 able fully to comprehend, or to trace out all the designs of Providence 
 
 in t\ 
 
 cno 
 clle 
 
"' at tlje 
 fe opini- 
 U'his 
 lid have 
 fiian rc- 
 M, iiave, 
 
 fK and 
 
 pe, and 
 
 »t soon 
 
 m in ti- 
 
 ^et the 
 ^ui mo- 
 |sJn, so 
 
 ; and 
 
 iwan- 
 iomcnt 
 Jtlier's 
 
 ^abie 
 Iiem 
 5ort. 
 
 are 
 Hi]] 
 
 led 
 
 ha 
 
 'SS 
 
 at 
 Id 
 
 15 
 
 in those dispensations which come under our observation, still wc sec 
 enough to satisfy us of the wisdom th.at appoints them, and to recon- 
 cile us to our lot. 
 
 If men, like the inferior animals, were capable only of bodily enjoy- 
 ments, and destined only for a mortal existence, then, indeed, an 
 uninterrupted series of corporeal pleasures would be a token of their 
 Creator's love. But if formed for the purer and more exalted plea- 
 sures of a highly cultivated mind, and destined for immortality, pros- 
 perity may be a retributive punishment of the bitterest kind — the 
 most awful expression of divine wrath : — for those, who bask in its 
 uninterrupted sunshine, are more apt to be betrayed into crimes — 
 to become hardened in habits of impiety, and to frustrate their hopes 
 of a blessed immortality, by rendering themselves incapable of enjoy- 
 ing what constitutes the true happiness of their nature. 
 
 VVliile uninterrupted prosperity has thus a fearful tendency to pro- 
 duce the most deplorable consequences in the human character, those 
 appointments of Providence, on the other hand, v.hich we are apt to 
 regard as our greatest calamities, are really blessings in disguise, from 
 their apposite and happy tendency : they lessen the influence which 
 worldly objects have upon the mind, and lead back the wandering 
 soul to the bosom of its God. Wc need not, therefore, be surprised, 
 if we find the righteous man often depressed, and humbled under the 
 burden of adversity ; and the wicked highly exalted, and rioting in 
 all the luxury of sensual gratification. Such circumstances are ne- 
 cessary to a state of probation. They arc materials by which we are 
 tried and prepared for another world. They put our principles to the 
 test, and prove whether our conduct is regulated by the word of 
 God and the dictates of reason; or is swayed by the pleasures and 
 fascinations of life. 
 
 These remarks, supported as they are by the testimony of Scrip- 
 ture, '' that it is good for a man to be afilicted:" — ''that the Lord 
 
It 
 
 
 IG 
 
 clitijteiietlt those whom he h)ves ;" and though " no tliUotl.iii.g for the 
 present sccniith to be joyous hut grievous, nevertheless nrtcrwards, 
 it yicldcth the pciiccable trails of ri<;hleou3ness unto them who arc ex- 
 ercised thereby '' — slunv lis that adversity is by no means exprcosivc 
 of the divine hatred, but intended for tlie best of purposes. We can- 
 not therefore entertain a doubt, but the late auful visitation was in- 
 tended by God for our moral improvement ; and though vre may not 
 he able to trace all his secret designs respect ir.g it, let us hum- 
 bly learn from it those more obvious lessons which it so forcibly 
 conveys. 
 
 I. It gives ns a striking proof of the frailty and uncertainty of hu- 
 man life. This is a truth of the most momentous importance; and 
 though it is one of which we are often reminded, yet, from the 
 propensity of men to disregard it, it is impossible that it can be too 
 frc(]uently brought under their consideration, — especially when com- 
 bined witli such circumstances as are likely to prepare the mind for 
 its reception, and the more clFectual exercise of its influences. 
 
 t 
 
 It is indeed a strange phenomenon, that beings endowed with rea- 
 son, and constituted for happiness, and who daily give most unequi- 
 vocal proofs that all their desires are fixed upon it, and that all their 
 exertions are directed to its attainment, should yet overlook, and 
 disregard those objects which can alone bestow it ; and expend all 
 their energy in the pursuit of those which will infallibly disappoint 
 them, or, at most, yield them the good which they seek in a very 
 limited and transient degree. The impress of mutability and uncer- 
 tainty Is stamped upon every thing earthly that solicit our regards ; 
 and if our supreme affections are centred upon them, we will infalli- 
 bly deprive ourselves of that share of happiness, which a subordinate 
 attachment to them is calculated to produce. They have not that 
 combination of qualities that constitute true happiness. It is reality, 
 and satisfaction, and perpetuity that form its essential elements — 
 none of these, taken singly, can confer it — in perfect union, they 
 
 \ 
 
 ^ 
 
 I 
 
 n 
 
 do. 
 ftHtl 
 
 cnjoj 
 imai 
 
 t\ic 
 
 in 
 
 feet 
 
 car^ 
 unii 
 
 ('01 
 
 *mmmmp^-' 
 
|io arc CH' 
 
 f was Ill- 
 may not 
 |"s hum- 
 
 yofhu. 
 
 cc; and 
 
 >m tile 
 
 he too 
 ^ com. 
 md for 
 s. 
 
 fi rca- 
 icqui. 
 
 and 
 JaJi 
 oint 
 Qry 
 ;er- 
 
 'ii- 
 te 
 It 
 
 17 
 
 <?o. It is only into the comfort and the joy which rellj^lon confers, that 
 aU tliese elements of happiness fully enter. In many of our earthly 
 enjoyments, they have noplace whatever, further, than that which 
 imagination gives them ; and even in those pleasures, which flow from 
 the nohlcst and most dignified of our worldly pursuits, they enter but 
 in a very limited degree — a degree necessarily limited by the imper- 
 fection of our nature, and the short duration of our present pre- 
 carious existence. They are, therefore, incapable of yielding that 
 r.nalloycd felicity which they promise, and which wc credulously, 
 and against all experience, expect to receive from them. How soon 
 {?o the objects of our tenderest affections lose all their attractions! 
 Kow often, while they are yet gazed on with transports of delight, 
 are the gay, and the lovely scenes of nature involved in confusion 
 and ruin by their own jarring elements ! How liable are we all to 
 bo torn, by some unexpected, and unavoidable vicissitude, from scenes 
 endeared to us by many a fond association ! The shafts of death 
 fly thick, and thousands fall around us on every side; and the 
 strongest and the healthiest, have no assurance of longer life than the 
 weakest and the frailest. Death levels all with an indiscriminating 
 l-Kind. The prince and the peasant — the tyrant and the slave — the 
 young and the old — alike must yield to his stern command. How- 
 nften is the affectionate child deprived of tlie tender solicitude and 
 protection of his parents, ere yet his heart has been taught to know, 
 another object of attachment ! How often is the agonized pa^ 
 rent doomed to watch the expiring breath, and to weep over the last; 
 convulsive struggle, of his darling child — to respond to his every - 
 groan of anguish, by a fervent prayer to that almighty Being, inr 
 whose hands are the issues of life, that he would be plea^d no longer -^ 
 to protract his infant's painful suiferings, but would take forever from 
 his sight in this worlds him in whom, perhaps^ all his earthly hop^s 
 were concentrated! who, but a few days before, while buoyant 
 with health and spirits, he beheld with all thepnide.and partiality of 
 a parent, and pictured as thecom&rt oChis^futui^e life> and the stay^ 
 ofliiideclitting-yearsl Hovr> olteo* ace we de»tined-to watch^ witb 
 
 C 
 
1 
 
 IS 
 
 p:ii:il;il arpi'ty, tls'.^ •! »-.v p!-i>^jiv.:s < t'lli t:' i-, iliir.Lins; iij) iIil' • ticiv^til 
 of tliosc i;i v.]u):n wo are n»o-;t teiulrvly ijJtcrcstcd, aiul " v. itlitrin/!; 
 (he bloom of tlicir bcaul y, as a (!o\vtr of tl:t' Held that ij cut down, 
 and perishing in Its sweetness !" IIo-.v often docs some sad, snddcn, 
 :;ad unexpected calair.ity, cutoff', in t'.ic full vi;:our of nianliood, and 
 in the possession of perfect hcalt!), t!u)i:e t:) wh.';r.i we looked for pro- 
 tection or friendly iidvice ! The c-.)mpanions of o'tr yoiilli, where 
 arc ihev? — i:->iic int:) the land of fiMV'etlidnes?. T'lcso v. !io>c friend- 
 ship tj'ildcd with joy oer early dayp, and v, hieh, we fondly hoped, 
 would have sl'.ed a peaceful serenity OAer our last moments, — how 
 rapidly in siiccesi^ion have they disai)j}eared iroiu qvs side ! How 
 many of them are now slumbering i:i the dark and narrow house 
 appointed for all !iv:! [; ! 
 
 Surel}', of all ll;e j)lea.^i!res whie!) h.ave no relation but to tlic pre- 
 sent life, and wkieli a:e derived exelu-ivel}' from elijcet-^ ef the pre- 
 sent world, thojc v.hic'.i sprin.'j from the sympathies and endearments 
 of domeilic rctireme'.ii, arc the purc-t and the most satisfactory. Yet 
 even these, we find, are minjrled with much imperfection, and are all 
 transitory and perishable — liable to be torn from us by the ri'.lhles.} 
 hand of kindred flesh, Th.e contemplation of such a t;cenc, though 
 well calculated to awaken in every heart, not utterly dead to the 
 feelings cf humanity, a corresponding jo}' ; only excites in the dark 
 soul of the prowlin;*- murderer, as I-.l" eyes it through the lattice, a 
 diabclical extncy, (iiat sueii unsuspecting security, as h.e behold^', 
 affords him a filter oppcrtunit}', to give an awful expression to his im- 
 placable hatred, by a deed, from wliich recollection turns away with 
 horror, and the mind sickens to contemplate. 
 
 V. 
 
 
 I 
 
 
 % 
 
 
 p. 
 
 \K 
 
 
 ew 
 
 i 
 
 .V'V 
 
 : 
 
 i'^ 
 
 
 uu 
 
 i 
 
 to 
 
 
 of 
 
 f* 
 
 I'o 
 
 
 \s 
 
 1 
 
 l-l 
 
 '1 
 
 \h 
 
 I 
 
 1 
 
 Though it is a deed which gives us a shocking i)icture of human 
 depravity, it also affords us a proof, no less striking, of the frailty 
 and uncertainty of human life, and of the unsatisfactory nature of all 
 sublunary enjoyments. It is an uncertainty, it is an unsatisfactoriness 
 impressed upon them by the hand of God himself, to attest that 
 
^ 
 
 t 
 
 siidcJcn, 
 
 '^^r pro- 
 f>, wlioro 
 
 :o pre. 
 '. Yet 
 
 Olio/, 
 
 » tho 
 
 Jar/; 
 
 ?, a 
 
 hb, 
 
 111- 
 
 it/i 
 
 
 a' 
 
 10 
 
 these nro r.ii tiic k'^jljiniatc ohjccts of our supreme aitachir.cut, li:)W-- 
 cviT inucli a nv)J.'ratt' i);u'licij)ation oftiit'ni, may iMiliaucc every tii- 
 jfiymeiit, and lijilitcu every alilietion in liu-. It is an ur.cortainty — it 
 is at) uiijaiisracldrirics.s, — ii/.crwrven v. u!i ilitir very natiuc, lo be a 
 moans (»f'rc'cliuniir.j; our e.^lr.uijred ji.'iVclions, and leading tluni back 
 to iii'.H v.hose tranflce:uljnt e\c'elieiieies eau iil )nc satisfy {he desires 
 of oMr inininrtal souls, and yet leave no void. Nothing else e;ni ui- 
 (brd thai hanpincssuliieh is adapted to tluir nature, and eonnnensuniie 
 uith tiieir exigence. 'Ihat exeellence whith is subjeet tt) no niU- 
 tability, whieh exists from eternity to eten.iiy, ean idonc present to 
 them J.uch new emanations as will be su.iieent to s:ilisfy their ever 
 cxj)anding eapaeities : iiud it is only in the divine excelleaee lIuU 
 sue'i a fullness dwell ; — a fuiincsi \'. iiieli v. iil be udetjuate lo llair 
 inercasing desires nofwi(h,tandin;^M!ieir pcrlec'iibility and the eter- 
 nity cI" thfir duration — yes, tli )ng!i their progress to perfeetion were 
 Heet as the lightnings of heaven. 
 
 II. While that mournful event, whieh we all deplore, ui the iaiv- 
 guage oi'the most solemn admonition, warns us oi" the frailty and un- 
 certainty of life, and all it> enjoyments: it no L-s forcibly enjoins us 
 lo eradicate from the heart every malevoL'ut feeling the moment it 
 springs up. It is the indalgjuce of these, thai, leadi men, through a 
 series of eri.nos of increasing enormity, to the perpLHralion of the 
 most atroei.)us deeds. If thjy are not, in their lirst movements, re- 
 sisted and overcome, they will aceuire a strength, by indulgence, 
 whieh will be inipossiblc to subdue ; and, in tlie gradual degradation 
 of character which they produce, will soon feari'ully manifest to v.hat 
 an awful extent human depravity may reach. Knowing how casil}', 
 and how soon, bad tliougl'ls and feelings ripen into bad deeds, cur 
 Saviour laid his interdictions on tho?e very springs of action. lie 
 declared their character to be ccjually malignant and repreliensible, 
 with the actual olfenccs which they induced, and denounced the 
 same punishment against them. .Maintain, therelbre, a watchful jea- 
 lousy over every movement of your liearts, and let no feeling harbour 
 
$0 
 
 tliurc, but whut will atand tlie scrutiny of a dying hour. Bu u^iurod 
 there i8 an absolute necessity for Uie strictest attention, for your na- 
 ture is not now, what it was when recent from the creative hand of 
 the Almighty. Those principles, which were given you for the pro- 
 gressive excellence and perfection of your nature, are degraded and 
 perverted. Your appetites and passions, are ready to spurn ihe con- 
 trol, both of reason and revelation, and to aspire at an absolute sove- 
 reignty over the soul ; and, unless held in severe and salutary re- 
 straint, will, with the impetuosity and violence of an overwhelming 
 flood, burst in upon the privades and securities of society, and bring 
 unutterable misery upon others, and entail the most dreadful cala- 
 mities upon yourselves. Suppress, therefore, at once, every propen- 
 sity to vice before it obtain uncontrolable sway — for, if you do not, 
 such is the tendency of moral evil to strengthen and perpetuate itself, 
 that you will run the greatest hazard, of exemplifying in your persons, 
 that degradation of character which you may, at the present moment, 
 shudder to contemplate. A change of external circumstances easily 
 unsettles what seems now to be the firm purpose of the lieart ; and, 
 through almost imperceptible gradationsi leads to the most consum- 
 mate wickedness. Wlien the prophet, Elisha, told Hazoel wliat he 
 would do to the children of Israel, — " that their strong holds he would 
 set on fire, and that their young men he would slay with the sword, 
 and that he would dash their cliUdren, and rip up the women with 
 child," — his heart, not yet inured to such wickedness, and untainted 
 with ambition, shrunk with inward horror from the thought ; and he 
 indignantly replied to the prophet, " what 1 is thy servant a dog that he 
 should do this great thing?" But the sequel of his history informs us, 
 that he lived to perpetrate tliose atrocious deeds which £U$lia had 
 foretold. Nor, is it at once tli«it the a&iassin reaches the very acme 
 of wickedness. Dark and ferocious as his dispositions .uUiwatcly 
 become, qnce he was a little chijd— one of tho^e whoise simplicity 
 and innocence so n\uch delights us, and whom our Saviour jiimself 
 deigned to take into .his arms and hleis, and to .exhibit tkeiic «rtlj^s 
 unsophisticated ^lispositiops to tibose who .would inlierit jii/s kin^ojVi 
 
21 
 
 ured 
 nu- 
 ll of 
 pro- 
 und 
 con- 
 love- 
 re- 
 niDg 
 ing 
 
 Ab models to coj)y alUr. Hi', oh ! Iiow unlike liini whose iiiKint licart 
 would shudder at the tale of truelty, nnd weep ut every aspect of 
 wo, 1*8 he whose lienrt, hy ^rowinj; crimes uuule harder tliaii the ndu- 
 niant, and hiaeker than tlie shades of ni^dit in which he seeks to con- 
 ceal hix horrid purposes, couhl neither he touched v.ith pity or 
 conipafiHion, hy the tears of a uidoued inotlier, hendiii;^ uiuler t!ia 
 load of years — nor the hitter anj^uisli of a disconsolate wife, from her 
 youth, yet unexj)erieiued in the agitations and storms of life — whoao 
 relentless wrath, the prospect of an infant child, rohhcd of the f^uar- 
 ilianship and tender solicitude of a parent, could not (piell — nor the 
 image of God, defaced with sacrcligious hand, touch with remorse-^- 
 who could ignohly suhniit to hear the lowest of mankind execrate 
 In's deeils — who could even impiously frown defiance on u rii;htc- 
 ous God I 
 
 Had tlic warni!>g voice of conscience been regarded, w lien he first 
 began to swerve from the connnandments ot his Creator ; and haii he 
 at its admonition sought hy a tiuu?ly repentance forgiving mercy, he 
 woukl not now have to ap[)rehend the terrors of an insulted law, and 
 <lrea<l detection. IJut he scorned its friendly counsels, till at last 
 its voice was hushed in the nmltiplicity of cvimes, ai^d it ceased, in 
 a great measure, to judge or condLum what was Hagitioui or crimi- 
 nal, because it had lung laboured in vain. 
 
 The silence of this internal monitor is to me a proof no less strong, 
 that God, in the present order of things, uuiuifcsts his abhorrence of 
 sin, and that it shall by no means pass unpuiUiihed, than if it had 
 continued to lift up its accusing voice. Were it idways, and with 
 equal energy, to exercise its [)Ower, it would, by an unreasonable 
 indulgence to the perverseness and guilt uf man, seem to intimate, 
 if we may use such au expression, an oveu-weeniug desire in the di- 
 vine mind, to deliver sinful sjurits i'rom the misery to which they 
 were inveterately attadicd. The houor of bis government, and Llic 
 cectitude of Uis lav, demaud tliat tlte Deity ^)aU op/t always strive 
 
r» > 
 
 v.itli tlic (-Ijiliiiaiilv iinpciiit^nt ; Jird v.'. il. lie j criuiis ll c "prrr.t 
 \l?rz»'i\ut (tC lii'jii'li"* wiliiiij II •.. to ctase from rnii^iiif!- 1,4 uari'.it!^ 
 voice, lie pliiiiily imliiaU'.;, lliat thtrc i-;a liiDf htvoml ulilt'.! hn lur- 
 ry will not i\{i.;i(l ; niul thitt, vrcariitl \vl»li tlicir co!ilii:in.(l resist. ::icu 
 I) c'vtry im*a;i.« I'or their Kalviition, he; will p;ivc tlieJii ovlt to a Hj>io- 
 l.'.lo niiiul — 111" HiKnt'i's lliy voictMM'con vicuce, t'lut tliey iiuiy rii-li 
 iipoM tliilr ini^-i-ry, iiial c«p'-'rit'iicv, in a ;,rt)uiiijj aversion to all liMt 
 is trooil, tlitit ri";liteoe.s ri'trl'outioii, with wliich i'nnl ii'.v.iiiably vigils 
 iai'iiitv. 
 
 Its VI, ice. !:ov.cvcr, uill v.r.t always ^luaiher. It v, ill yet aii^e in wrath, 
 and :!u'.l:e witli its Icrror-; h.i« ;i;iiil<y so'.il. I dowht not, hut llial ire 
 tliis tii.ie, pr(;I)auly iw thi.i inonier.t, its stint's are seen tly ielf. and 
 perhaps more severely t!ia:i imat'iaation tan poiirtrii}'. It may n('t 
 vet have iasleiui'. tlie rai!:;.s of renu;r.sc tu'.d despair, Mhieh are the 
 most horrihle and deadly. These, in dread retrihution, may hr re- 
 wrvcd to eml)itter the nngiiifh of u dying hour ; l)iit, I doiii)t not, 
 tisat il has already awakened, at least, the apprehension ofdeteelit)n, 
 and tl'.c f^looniy Ibrehodings tliat sometime or other, v.hilc in this ii!'*.-, 
 the punishment v.diieh it justly me; its will hv iniiieted. AUhou;;h the 
 iiist desert ofsin cannot possibly he received in this lile-aMl, ()! lli.it 
 A.ecoald Iw^pc, loul a> tlu- deed was with the spirit of lull, tiiat tl'.e 
 wretched sinner might still be ns a brand pliiekiil from ti>e buniiii«,% 
 yet Ciod hath so ordered it, that atrocious crimes arc seldom cr nc\cr 
 concealed, and, iiu'ieed, it seems to L'c necessary for the }.;cneial 
 peace and trancpiilily of society, that it i;hoidd be so : Ihv ue find mcni 
 often become so iiardened in sin, tliat they brinpf ihcnijelves to be- 
 lieve, that (iod V. ill never rccjuire an account of their actions. " Where- 
 fore is it," f'ays the pious psalmist, " th.at the wicked contemn (lod ? 
 
 lie halh said in his heart he will not require it." "Tlii^y enceurage 
 
 themselves in an evil matter ; they commune by laying snares i>ri- 
 vily : they say, who shall see us ?" — "lie halh said in his heart Cod 
 lialh forgotten ; he hideth his face ; he will never see it." Thus freed 
 from the salutary restraint which a sense of the divine i)erfections, 
 
 • 
 
 I 
 
 r, 
 
 W( 
 
 of 
 
 
 oi' 
 
 ^ 
 
 u\ 
 
 
 •'^1 
 
 
 he; 
 
 t 
 
 
 ^ 
 
 1 
 
 
 iiUi 
 
 V 
 
 A 1 
 
'li 
 
 I 
 
 I 
 
 a>ul ill ^ :i:iti' ij»;itr,>u , r .1 fill iri- j;ii!;ii)i.'!jt, ii;»p(>H' i»:» tliiir |.nvlf-»; 
 |)r.»|>L':Hilios--if t.i), t'uivi'iiv, only l» ' llu I'a'.ul iil'in caitlily lii- 
 hmiil, tluu / in iiric"*! tl*( ir evil i;jtfntii);iH ; iiii'l ll:-.' pruvidciitv r.l* 
 (> >il h;i4 bt'iu so ulKn, aii-.l sj sfgiisHy tli'pl.iyt;! i.» !):i.ij^liijj t-i l!'':t 
 iMiinlcrs JHhI oiIht i!i.»rm.)iH criinvi that uiTj -I'-'rctly cjulrivcd :: 'l 
 |)CT|i..'tra't':l in d irkut-s--, tli,!' if Ims pus-c;! ir.ti) a C()i:u:i:)U jjrovi.vi 
 tli.it •' ntri)i'ijm fiimv; \.iH uwt." Thj tt'iTor v.liii-lj iroiicr:;!!/ ulti.':;?! » 
 till? c )!iniissii»ii ol'sin, \\hj.\ oiic'L' n'.va'i'Jiictl, will n it tlii'id'):'^' !;j r/ 
 at all cpii'Ik-d by the ci):'oi.lc:'atIi)n, tliat it is t!.or.)'.i,i;ii!y contx ;!«.'! 
 froiii the kii()\vlel;e of t!iu uoril, U!id tluit ii » eye Ik: i 'jvjm witnj.:-; 
 to it, btit that eyi* iii.it never ;'Iii:iil)«.'rs r.i;r tl/i';;'. IL v. iil oI)ti•'.!(!.; 
 evea on tlijye lioiir? ef folly ami dit •^ipali.)l^ whieli will be eagerly 
 S()U','ht al'ier in order t.) repass it ; but uhen t!:e niiiul i< hA't ti) rj* 
 i'.eet In .••.ollt'idf — whe'i !!?e '.vcrM has v. iilid-.-v. n all Its dvlu.-ive pa-.i- 
 snres — \ihe:i tlie eold hand vi' death jin-sies Ijeavyiipon u*, and tl:j 
 roe:)IIectio:H of tlie pa>t, and tlie antieipation.; of tlie iiif.ire, v. ill 
 inxsisti'.dy f»)rcc t!ieni>i!.fi upon tlie in'iul; — tlien v.ill it be al .;>, 
 that th.c misery, wiiitli restilts Ironi t!ie c^inscionsness of having; la- 
 piously aiul inipt'r.iteiitly cuiUenmed llie law of i!jo Ahui^hty, v.iil 
 be ftlt in all ila bitterueo:<. 
 
 S'.icli c )iisidjratio:\.«, str.l', o i ;!i* t) le ! 1 n ; t.) ri'^l.-ct scrionsly 
 onoiirov.n state, — to oxaaiiiio, \»illi lhestrIe:o.-.t i:i!;\:rtia!i:y, wlit'tlicr 
 wc Ik'.\ ,' !)een re^i'Stin'r the ilietates oi' e.>:'.j-iL-.ce, h,.K'deiiia'j in haljiti 
 of i'.npi'jty, aal "treasuring; up Ibr o.'.rjelvcj \. :•;■.( ii agaliut tlie day 
 of wrath, and revelation of therijhtLOUj jiuli,^nie:-.t ufCIod." \Vc see 
 'u\ t'aat fital event, tj uliijli \vj have Jt) oi'ien .: '.verted, tliat tiieie ii 
 a peeiiliar neecosity fur eon>:i.!t.ring our way-s; and \^atelHn<; over o-i" 
 hearts witli all diligeiiee, f.r out of the^e are tlie ij^iies of lii'e. 
 
 I intended to have maile, a fe.v ojjervalljnr, ninre pointedly t » 
 iiiiistrate the benefieial clfects of tlie al!l:ct!.j di.pensalioiis of t!>j 
 Almighty, with a view to lead yoa to that UriA IrAki' in hh pro- 
 
vidcncp, and humhle trust h\ his mercy, which can alone soothe rnd 
 cons(jle the unavoidable woes of humanity ; but I have already tres- 
 passed too long upon your time and attention. 
 
 Permit me shortly to rcn.Ind you, that such views of the divine 
 perfections, and of a moral government, as will lead to true comfort 
 and consolation, can only be derived from the word of God, — that, 
 he assures us remains from generation to generation — unchanged and 
 unchangeable, amid all the Huctuations and vicissitudes of time, to 
 console our wretchedness, and animate us with the prospects of a 
 happy immortality, and the promises of heavenly aid. Reason and 
 philosophy may suggest such considerations as lead us to conceal our 
 sorrows, but will never effectually console them. The mind, under af- 
 fliction, is generally but little disposed to relish their cold comforts — 
 but what they cannot bestow^ the word of God effectually does. There, 
 lie hath provided a balm for every wound ; consolation for every sor- 
 row ; enough to satisfy every desire, and to expel every fear. There 
 the God of heaven and of earth, graciously reveals hinjself as the 
 Father of the fatherless, thejudgeof the widow, and the orphan's stay. 
 There, the disconsolate mother may obtain the full assurance, that He, 
 who knows all her griefs, and, who in the hour of death, committed 
 his own mother to the charge of a beloved disciple, will never over- 
 look her cause. There, the consolatory hope i* given that death-di- 
 vided friends shall meet to part no more. 
 
 That these consolations may be yours, surrender yourselves wholly 
 to their power ; for they are joys with which a stranger intcrmeddleth 
 not. And may God grant, that, when the trials and agitations of time 
 shall have ceased for ever, we may all be reunited with those objects 
 of our love and affection, who now cease from their labours ; and be 
 admitted in peace into his presence who shall wipe away every tear 
 from our eyes !