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DISCOUESE,
DELIVERED
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IN MILFOIII), (MASS.) i^ Q ^
_ jij II ■lH 1 TBI
LORD'S DJir, OCTOBER so, 1814;
OK
cccasioseh bt the
RETURN OF A C031PANY OF ARTILLERY
CNDER
CAPTAIN RUFUS THAYER,
paoH
CAMP, AT SOUTH-BOSTOX.
BY I) Win LONG, A. M
MINISTKU OF THE TO\V>-,
'UBLISHF.D Af 'THE REOUEST OF ■THE HEAHERS.
BOSTON :
PBiNTEn FOB g. T. iRMsrnoxG, so. 50, cornhili.
1814.
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.LS4
DISCOURSE
LAMENTATIONS III. 22.
IT IS or THE IORD's MERCIES THAT WE ARE KOT COysrMED, BECAl"SE HIS
COMPASSIOSS lATl, KOT.
This passage was wvittsn in a time of great calamity. The tLnTitories of the Jewish nation had been invaded bv their enemies. Some of their cities bad been taken and destroyed. Manv of. the inha- bitants had heen shiin by the sword, and others led into captivity. These events tended to call to w.'iud the prevailing sins of the land, which had excited the Divine displeasnre. Still, however, the goodness of God appeared in the preservalion of those who remained. Hence the pro[diet, a\ hile deeply aficcted with a sense of public calamities, remembers and makes mention of that goodness toward those A\ho still enjoyed protection. While he acknowledges, that the Lord had aMicled them for the mullidide of their transgressions ; he aclinowledges, also, tliat through his mercy many are siill pieserved and en- joy safety. " It is of the Lord's mercies that wq arc not consumed, because his compassions fail not.** He was couviuccd thai they owed tlicir protection.
not to their own power or wisdom, but to the super- iiitendiiig providence of God. This is a i;cneral truth, and may be extensively applied.
DOCTRINE.
All t]»e safetv which men rniov in times of danger is by the merciful providence of God.
By suitable attention to the subject, ihin propo sition will appear correct.
It refpiires but little observation and experience to prove to our rational understandins;;, that men are incapable of securing; themselves fnun dangjcr. ]n numeral>ie unforeseesi events mav occur, airairist which no iiunian [>ower or skill can provide, which may expose our health. ourliml>s. and ultimately our lives, and which niiiv incapacitate us for any exertion to secure ourselves. We arc sometimes placed in a situation, and that by our own instrumentality, ii> wiiich U!) human arm can reach us to contril)Ute the least assistance. Or if help be at hand, it often proves unavailiui:;, by some fatal error, or even some tri(rm<r ntistake iu the choice of means. In such a case, we see full proof, tiiat \s e are wlioUy dei>endenL on God for preservation. Jf we are secured, we arc secured by his merciful iuterjHJsilion. A\ljen ^\ c consider, in how many Avays evils may overtake us, A\ hich ^^(' have not the sagacity to foresee, and which Me could WiA. escape, if we did foresee tlicm. we are necessitrrted to ad.mit. that while we live, we are cnc ry moment subjects of divine ])rotection.
The finmnn cousilitiiilon is liable to innumera- ble diseases. \\ Ijich. if in'ruiitted (u- commis.sioned. Mill ballle ilie most profuuiul n;e<lical skill, irresi.s tiidy proceed to their llual issue, and leriuinatc i**
deiitli. A predisposition to those diseases is oftea excited iu the constitution by tlic very means which Mve use for the support of life, or for the gratification of the corporeal appetites. When such predisposf- tioii to disease is once excited, the invisible, noxious qualities, or particles floating in the air which we breathe, may incorporate with the circulating fluids, and induce the most fatal maladies. To such cala- mities the human constitution is often rendered acces- sible, by a slight, and perhaps iniperccpliJde devia- tion from strict temperance in the manner of living. To these incidents we may add those by which irra- tional animals, or inanimate thins;Sj which are useful in themselves, may be let loose upon us. The ani- mals wiiich me employ in our service, instead of pro- ducing tlie advantage which we design, may put our lives in jeopardy, or bring them to a close. Fire* and water, those elements which are indispensable in the economy of life, may become our stlre conductors to the gates of death.
But the exciting causes of danger are not found alone in tlie material .world. Tlie human mind is subject to a variety of restless passions, which often
* This reference tlie liearers, at the time, readily un derstood. In the preceding week, a distressing event occurred in this town, in wl'.ich a buihling, comprehending a saw-mill, a clothier's shop and die-house, and a weaver's apartment, took fire. Two young men, apprentices to the clothier, escap- ed from the second lol't, by leaping from a window, and suc- ceeded in securing two small ehildren belonging to one of th« weavers. But so rapid was the progress of the ili'stroying ele- ment, that, in spite of every exertion, two women peiishcd in the flames.
6
rage bevond control. Men have their separate, and often tiuies contending interests. 15y pursuing these, tlieir plans of operation often interfere. The selfish passions, impatient of opposition or restraint, inspire revenge and rage. Hence originate destructive wars and desolating; conflicts. We have not the controul of other men's passions, nor have they the controul of ours. Contention may be easily excited, but not so easily restrained or allayed. A\ lien nations erect the standard of war, a system of plunder, devastation, and cruel and relentless slaugliter, becomes legalized. The contending parties are disposed to vie >vith each other, in inflicting wounds, and spreading desolation. Intent on victory, each seeks the advantage, till death, the king of terrors, with countless miseries in his train, often triumphs over both. In such a state, danger is never wanting. Many are called to leave their tluellings, their families and friends, the scenes of domestic traiujuillity, to meet a frowning foe, and to return no more. On the san^ruinarv altar, unnum- bered tlirongs arc immolated, while through tlie mar- tial Held echoes the din of arms, announcing to j-fllict- cd hearts the solemn tidings. Happy the nation, which is not called to such a scene ! Happy the men, whose lot is free from the alarm of ^^ ar ! Self-de- fence, liowever, may sometimes imperituisly call men to the field, and juj^tify them in obeying the call. I^it dauirer none the less attends, and noiu' the less they need divine protectittn. If they are preserved, it is bv a divine hand. He who holds the <lestinies
ft •
of men. ran discourage an enemy from hostile at- inr.pts, or defi-at his entcrprizes. So lie sonu'times docs, and brings those buck in safety, ^^\^o might, in
common uUli olhers in arms, liave rallen to lise no more. Viewing the many ways in which danger, unforeseen or nnavoidahle, may approach, we may confidenUy believe, that all the snfcty irliich men en- jo]} in times of danger , is by the merciful providence of God. And those who escape may witli propriety adopt the language of the prophet, " It is of the Lord's mercies that wc are not consumed, because his compassions fail not."
In view of the leading idea now illustrated, we are conducted to the necessary conclusion, that wlien- ever we enjoy safety, we are under obligations of gratitude and praise to God for preservation. liea- son dictates that wc should thnnkfuUy acknowledge favours received from the hand of any being, on vhom we have no legal claim. When that which is essential to our happiness, comfort, or convenience, is gratuitously bestowed, it confers an obligation. And when we have neither the means, nor the abili- ty, to return a reward, gratitude becomes an indispen- sable duty. And when it is considered, that this costs us nothing but a reasonable and agreeable ex- ercise of tije heart, expressed in the language of the lips and correspondent actions, no excuse for the ne- glect can be admitted. When, therefore, God mani- fests his merciful interposition in our favor, in j^re- serviijg us in times of danger, or in securing us as-ainst danjrer, we ou2:ht thankfully to rcmem])er where our safety lies, by whose hand we liave been secured, and to whom we are )ndei)ted for such fa- vours. When he requires nothing more in return for such goodness than a th.aukful improvement, we should readily give him all our hearts, and raise our
8
voices in his praise. And this, we may be assnred, is not only just, hut honorable. "VVho does not, in tlie coinnion walks of life, esteem a man the better for expressing proper ,i;ratitude for favours received from his fellow men ? Hon much more suitable and hon- orable, then, is becojnini; gratitude to that God on M horn we art at all times dependent, and from whom we receive everv favour?
t/
If, then, all our safety is in the merciful provi- dence of God, and if gratitude is due to him for pro- tection ; hence Me may be assured, that gratitude will be an acceptable oflering ; and that those, who sin- cerely present it, have reason to hope for future mer- cies, whenever they shall be needed. To shew the correctness of this, we may reason from analogy. M\ g know by our own experience, that when we confer a favour on any of our felloAv creatures, if they suitably acknowledge the favour, and manifest thankfulness, we are pleased. And we are pleased, because they appear as we know they ought to appear. AVhen we perceive tliat they possess such a disposition, we mark them as being suitable persons on wliora to bestow favours. And we are even more ready to grant a second favour than the first, because tlien we have previous evidence that it will be well received, and that it will not be lost upon them. Ho have Me rea- son to believe, that gratitude is pleasing in the sight of God, and tends to secure his future favour. Tiiose who have experienced his protection, when called in- to exposed stations, and have exercised gratitude for his goodness, have reason to rely with confidence on liis readiness to conliiuje his favours. They may again repair a\ ith cheerfulness to tlie post of danger.
\vlien duty calls, even uhere life is exposed^ relying on divine protection. Such a disposition and such actions are truly noble, and worthy of imitation. And could we oftener hear acknowledgments of depend- ence on divine protection, and see gratitude for pre- servation manifested, by men whose lot it is to be cal- led into perilous scenes, we might oftener enjoy the consoling hope, that protection would be extended, and success would be granted. But the want of such acknowledgments often covers with a gloomy veil the most important undertakings. And the want of such gratitude often fixes a stain on the most brilliant ac- tions. Success, in the most important enterprizes, we have reason to believe, is sometimes lost through a criminal neglect of acknowledging God. In pro- portion to the evidence which we see, that gratitude for fjivours is acceptable to God, and calculated to insure his future favour, we have also evidence, that ingratitude under the enjoyment of divine protection is dangerous. It is reasonable to suppose, that God i]iay be provoked to withdraw his protection from those who will not thank him for it.
In view of what has been said, all might with propriety be reminded of their dependence on the su- perintending providence of God, and their perpetual obligations to exercise gratitude for safety at any time enjoyed. But waving for the present a general ap- plication, it is proper that we notice, on this occasion, the gratifying event which we now have the pleasure to witness, of the safe return of our friends and fel- low citizens, who had been called out for tlic defence of our rights and liberties. With heartfelt emotions we welcome them to the friendly society of those
10
irom wliom they had been separated, and whose best "wishes have not ceased to follow them duriug tlieir aby:( rsee. The order which called them to leave their friends and llieir peaceful dwellings, was more indi- calive of diui:;tir than of safety. In other parts of the theatre of action, many who had been called in like manner, had fallen on the sfinj^uine field. The pos- sibility was, that such might be the lot of some of these. And what events were before theni, no one conld certainly know. Tliey donbtless viewed them- selves as proceeding to an exposed situation, wliere military operations might be something more than mere amusement. Their connexions whom they left belli nd, probably felt a similar impression. The pencil of anxious imagination was perhaps added to heighten the already glowing colours, and even to exaggerate the idea of d?.nger. Although it was un- certain whether life would be at all exposed, yet be- cause it might be so, the fears of relatives, uniting; with alloction, might almost persuade them, that the then parting scene would be a final one. It might indeed so liave proved. On such an occasion, no- tiiing conld he more suitalne, than an acknowledg- ment of dependence on the Ruler of nations, and seeking him by prayer. A request was sent to the present speaker, by the proper authority, in an honor- able uiauner, for this purpose. And surely nothing but extreme bodily indisposition,* could have pre- vented a ready compliance. But many hearts have been earnestly engaged in interceding for their safety
* Tlie author was then labo'jrlus under a paroxysm of ihe SLSllunii.
11
and protection. And tlaougli tlic interposition of Di* %'ine Providence, in restrainint^ the enemy and pre- venting diseases and otlier incidents, safety lias bceu their lot, and their reluni is witnessed with pleasing satisfaction. A tribute of gratitude is due from them for preserving mercy. Let your hearts, my friends, glow with thankful emotions to the all powerful Disposer of events, for the favours already received. And in view of past goodness, learn to trust his faith- ful hand for future protection. You will lose nothing by confiding in and openly acknowledging God, in every irijportant undertaking, and in every scene of danger. Learn to trust him, and he will take care of you. And should you ever again be called forth in arms for the defence of the country (which may God prevent by the speedy return of peace) we flatter our- selves, that the military character which both Officers and Soldiers have established, for promptitude and regular habits, will remain unsullied, and that your valour will abide the test of trial. And be assured that our most earnest desires for your preservation will again follow you.
A tribute of gratitude is also due to God from the families and connexions of those who have thus returned in safety. You, my friends, are not called, as many others have been, to hear the heart-rending tidings, that your friends had fallen on the field of battle. Here you see them,* after being called out for our defence, safely returned to your friendly so- ciety and the enjoyments of domestic life. Ilemem-
* The Company was present as a body, by mutual a- greement.
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ber, that God has done it : and by your present gra~ titude secure liis future kindness.
Let us all feel our obligations to God for this and all other expressions of his goodness. And let an answerable improvement insure to us an interest in his favour. Tlicn may we be handed through the changing scenes and troubles of llie present life in peace, and at last hear the welcome sentence, *•' Well done, good and faithful servants, enter ye into the joy of your Lord." There may we rest from all our toils and sufferings, free from the alarms of war, be- yond the reach of sin and sorrow ; and, in the pre- sence of the Almighty Conqueror, the Pkince or PeacE; dwell together in eternal day.
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