The Reader will here find a literal Copy of the resolutions of that 
section of the Medical Class, composed of native Virginians, expressive of 
their feelings on the occasion of the Fire at Richmond. Also the Discourse 
of the Rev. Dr. Alexander, which was originally published at the request 
of the Committee.--A list of the names of the Gentlemen who composed the 
meeting, is also attached.


UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA.                        

January 1, 1812.

At a meeting of upwards of one hundred natives of Virginia, composing a 
part of the Medical Class of the University of Pennsylvania, the following 
resolutions were offered by an appointed committee, and adopted as 
expressive of their piercing and deep sorrow for the loss of their 
connexions, friends and countrymen, in the late disastrous and ever to be 
lamented fire, at Richmond.

1. Resolved,--That although far removed from the scene of distress, our 
hearts are penetrated with the keenest agonies of sympathy at a 
catastrophe so unparalleled in destruction;--and that our most sincere and 
unfeigned condolence is offered to the relatives of those whose mournful 
fate it has been thus prematurely to be hurried to that "country from 
whose bourne no traveller returns." 
2. Resolved,--That each of us wear a crape on the left arm for the space 
of one month, as a token of respect to the memory of our departed 
relatives, friends and countrymen. 
3. Resolved,--That a committee be appointed to wait on the Rev. Dr. 
Alexander, and request the favour of an appropriate Discourse on Wednesday 
next;--and that we assemble at the University at ten o'Clock on that day, 
and walk in procession to the Church. 
4. Resolved,--That these proceedings be published in Duane's and Relf's 
papers.
John Pretlow, 
John Dove, 
Moore G. Fontleroy, 
Thomas Allen, 
Wm. S. Morton, 
James W. Hunt, 
Hugh F. Rose, 
John F. Christian, 
Samuel G. Fontleroy, 
Isaac Smith, 
John W. King, 
Andrew Gresham, 
Thomas R. Fisher, 
William H. Henning, 
Uriel Terril, 
James Blair,
John A. Jones, 
N. Payne, 
John Meredith, 
James Wilson, 
Wm. M. Fall, 
Samuel Garland, 
Wm. M. Morgan, 
Churchill J. Blackburn, 
John Bankhead, 
William E. Gibson, 
Alexander Muschett, 
Thomas F. Tibbs, 
Henry Brundieg, 
Beverly Smith, 
George D. Baylor, 
Lee Griggs, 
John Seevers, 
W. B. Westmore, 
Samuel P. Hargrave, 
Wm. Jones, 
Tingnal Jones, 
John C. Grosjean, 
Josiah Holt, 
N. C. Whitehead, 
Charles B. Ball, 
John R. Walke, 
Harmer Gilmer, 
Austin Jennings, 
Edmond P. Taylor, 
John Field, 
John P. Jacobs, 
Henry Lewis, 
T. T. Strachan, 
John Minor, 
Reuben D. Palmer, 
Charles W. Carter, 
Robert L. Cobbs, 
G. B. Williams, 
Henry Skipwith, 
George Wilson, 
Jesse Cole, 
R. Povall, M.D. 
W. T. Scott, 
John H. M'Cabe, 
J. Colquhoun, 
J. H. Ball, 
S. Patteson, 
C. H. Meriweather, 
W. Goodwin, 
W. Flemming, 
Richard May, 
Mayo C. Watkins, 
Horace Wellford, 
Peyton Grimes, 
M. C. Buck, 
G. W. Russel, 
G. W. May, 
W. Gunnell, 
Mann Page, 
W. Brown, 
L. H. Mosby, 
R. A. Carrington, 
W. S. Quesenberry, 
H. Stannard, 
W. N. Minor, 
W. Chapman, 
Wm. V. Taylor, 
R. P. Warner, 
W. P. Jones, 
Ch. Taylor, 
W. M. Alexander, 
Cary Barraud, 
John S. Mills, 
C. C. Lynch.
Thomas Ruffin, 
W. Eggleston, 
S. I. Cabell, 
J. H. Noel, 
P. B. Tindall, 
P. E. Graves, M.D. 
Lewis Carr, 
W. E. Horner, 
D. Burwell, 
Daniel Wilson, M.D. 
C. T. Radford, 
T. W. Jones, 
R. Murphy, 
Jas. T. Stephens, 
P. P. Wycke, 
N. Allen, 
J. Sanders, 
J. S. Hardaway, 
J. Cabaniss, 
S. Winder. 
John Paton, 
T. Sheppard, 
A. W. Clopton, 
Hard Lane, 
J. Blount, 
J. L. Miller, 
R. M. Stribbling, 
T. H. Read, 
R. B. Stark, 
T. Dudley, 
J. R. Shumate, 
J. C. Webb, 
J. Williams, 
S. Pleasants, 
Robert Miller, M.D. 
M. Bailey, 
R. R. Barton, 
L. R. Robertson, 
Geo. W. Gunnel, 
Berryman Green, 
T. P. Luckett.



                               A DISCOURSE
                               OCCASIONED
                      By The Burning of the Theatre
                                 IN THE
                            CITY OF RICHMOND,
                                VIRGINIA,
                  ON THE TWENTY-SIXTH OF DECEMBER, 1811.

                         BY WHICH AWFUL CALAMITY
                A large humor of valuable lives were lost.

Delivered in the Third Presbyterian Church, Philadelphia, on the eight day 
of January, 1812, at the request of the Virginia Students attached to the 
Medical Class, in the University of Pennsylvania.

                          BY A. ALEXANDER, D. D.

                              PHILADELPHIA:
          PRINTED BY JOHN WELWOOD SCOTT, No. 147 CHESNUT-STREET,
                         FOR DANIEL WILSON, M. D.

                                  1812



                                DISCOURSE.

                               ROM. XII. 15.
                        "WEEP WITH THEM THAT WEEP."


ONE leading difference between the system of ethics prescribed by the 
Stoics, and that inculcated by Christianity is, that whilst the former 
aims at eradicating the passions, the latter endeavours to regulate them, 
and direct them into their proper channels. The attempt of the first is as 
impracticable as is undesirable; the object of the last, is, by divine 
aid, in a good degree attainable, and in it consists much of the dignity, 
perfection, and happiness of man.

The great Author of our being has implanted the principle of sympathy 
deeply in human nature; and has made the susceptibility of feeling the 
sorrows of another, as extensive as the race of man. It is common to the 
untutored savage, and to the man of refinement and education: and traces 
of it are even discovered in the animal creation; many species of which 
appear to be strongly excited, as often as any great evil threatens, or 
befals, any of their own kind.

This principle of sympathy, whilst it indicates the unity of our species, 
seems to form a mysterious bond of connexion between all its members.

Page 8

The spectacle of suffering humanity, however great a stranger the object 
of distress may be, will always excite our sensibility, unless the 
feelings be blunted by vicious indulgence, restrained by prejudice, or 
extinguished by the long prevalence of malignant passions. Simply 
considered, it is not of a moral nature; it is, however, friendly to 
virtue, and intimately mingles itself with the most benevolent and pious 
affections of the human heart: and the want of it always argues a high 
degree of moral depravity. Refined and cultivated, as it may be by 
education, it has a great share in forming the character which is termed 
amiable and interesting. But like other original principles of our nature, 
is is liable to abuse and excess: and the evils thence resulting to human 
happiness, are not few nor inconsiderable. Instead of being the ally of 
virtue, and prompter of benevolence, it may become the most successful 
auxiliary of vice. In fact, a morbid sensibility has, with many in this 
age, usurped the place, and claimed the honour, due to moral principle and 
religion. Genuine pity, and compassion for objects of real distress, have 
been perverted, and almost extinguished, in a multitude of persons, by the 
artificial excitement of a set of spurious feelings, produced by the 
contemplation of scenes of fictitious distress; which tend to no valuable 
end, and are sought only for the momentary gratification of the possessor. 
But, however spmpathy may be abused, there is a legitimate and proper 
exercise

Page 9

of it, to which we are not only prompted by nature, but directed by 
reason, and exhorted by religion. There are occasions, when not to "weep 
with them that weep," would be rebellion against every principle which 
ought to govern us, as well as against those which commonly do influence 
men. If the sufferings of an enemy may be such as to affect us--if we are 
excited to weep at the woes. of a stranger--what must our feelings be, 
when we recognise, in the cry of unutterable anguish, the well known voice 
of an acquaintance, a friend, a brother, or a sister? Such a cry of 
distress, from the capital of our native state, has recently pierced our 
ears, and filled our hearts with grief. The sons of Virginia, resident in 
this place, are to-day called upon to mourn, and to mingle their 
sympathetic tears with those of the whole state.

A calamity, as great and distressing, as it was sudden and unexpected, has 
fallen upon her! A calamity, which in its circumstances of real wo and 
great distress, has scarcely a parallel in history! In most occurrences 
which pierce the soul with anguish, there are some alleviating 
considerations which sooth the aching heart, and mitigate the pangs of 
grief. But here there are none! Every fresh recital, every additional 
circumstance, only serves to increase the horror of the scene, and more 
deeply to interest our feelings. Had her honourable men and valuable 
citizens fallen in the field of battle, like those of a sister state, 
bravely resisting the enemies of their country, and covered

Page 10

with honourable wounds, however bereaving and distressing the 
dispensation, still there would have existed some ground of consolation. 
Had her respected matrons and fair daughters been swept off by the 
desolating pestilence, however melancholy the scene, yet still there would 
have been some warning, and some opportunity of preparing for the event. 
The last words, and the last looks of tenderness and affection, would have 
left a pleasing impression upon the memory: and at least, surviving 
friends would have enjoyed the satisfaction of beholding the bodies of 
their beloved relatives entire and unmangled; and of gazing upon their 
well know features undeformed with burns and bruises. But even this meagre 
consolation was wanting. In the midst of health--in the moment of mirth 
and exhiliration, in the full flow of earthly joy, perfectly thoughtless 
of futurity, and unsuspicious of any danger, more than a hundred 
respectable citizens, are overwhelmed in one promiscuous ruin! Neither 
genius, learning, power, wealth, youth, beauty, nor accomplishments, avail 
any thing to rescue their unfortunate possessors from destruction. Almost 
as rapid as the fall of lightning from heaven, Death, in his most 
frightful and resistless form, rushes on them! O! the dismal scene of 
horror, of misery, and of death, which here presents itself to our view!--
But to pourtray this shocking scene is neither practicable nor desirable. 
Permit me, then, to drop the curtain over the castrophe of this dismal 
tragedy!

Page 11

The impression which this awful occurrence has already made on your minds 
is indelible. You need no highly wrought description to make it deeper. 
The lapse of time can never obliterate it. The wound in the feelings of 
some here present, will never be completely healed, on this side the 
grave! The mere circumstance, that these unfortunate snfferers were 
creatures of our species, would have been sufficient to awaken all our 
tender sympathies; and much more, to know that they were our countrymen, 
who had been accustomed to breathe the same air and tread the same soil, 
and had been nurtured and educated in the same institutions with 
ourselves. But the ties by which most of you, my young countrymen, who 
have consecrated this day to sorrow, are connected with the unfortunate 
sufferers and disconsolate mourners of Richmond, are of a much more 
intimate and tender nature. To many of you, this sad catalogue of death, 
presented the names of much esteemed friends and intimate acquaintances; 
to some, of beloved relatives; and alas! to one or more, the first 
intelligence of their misfortune, was conveyed by the distessing sight of 
the endeared name of a sister! It is not surprising therefore, that you 
feel sensibly on this occasion: Nature constrains you to weep, and 
Religion approves it. Tears are becoming, even in the manly countenance, 
when distresses like these pass in review before our eyes, and approach so 
near to our bosoms.

Page 12

But if this disastrous occurrence, by the mere recital, has produced such 
poignant anguish here, what must have been the feelings of those on the 
spot, who were both witnesses and partakers of the calamity! Our 
conceptions, as well as our words, are here altogether inadequate; and we 
are therefore incapable of fully sympathising with their sufferings. But 
if we could, the scene is such as to revolt all our feelings. The idea of 
such distress is, to the mind of sensibility, intolerable. Here then let 
us pause, and not attempt to enter more minutely into the melancholy 
detail of the events of that dreadful night.

"Boast not thyself, O man! of to-morrow!" See what a day--an hour, may 
bring forth! Behold a flourishing city, from the height of exultation and 
prosperity, cast down into the deepest abyss of grief and misery! The 
voice of mirth and joy are exchanged for the voice of wailing, 
lamentation, and wo, in all her dwellings! Lately, she appeared arrayed in 
the robes of gaiety and splendor, but now she sitteth disconsolate, in the 
sable garments of sorrow! Her face, recently animated with hope, and 
brightened with joy, is now distorted with anguish, and defiled with 
weeping! As a widow she sitteth solitary, and those who should comfort 
her, are removed from her sight. Have pity upon her, O ye her friends! 
Have pity upon her, for the hand of God hath touched her!

Page 13

In order to form a just estimate of the extent and magnitude of this 
calamity, not only to the city of Richmond, but to the state at large, 
(and may I not say to the United States?) we must take a cursory view of 
the names inscribed on this catalogue of death.(*) The king of terrors, 
when personified, is commonly represented as going forth with his 
destructive weapon cutting down old and young, male and female, rich and 
poor, the honourable and obscure, with a promiscuous sweep; but in the 
present instance, the ruthless tyrant, seems to have made a 
descrimination, in the selection of his prey. Wealth, talents, youth, and 
beauty, were, in this instance, the objects of his fatal shafts.

The first on the list, is the respected governor and chief magistrate of 
the state, who had only a few days before this melancholy event, been 
raised to that high station, by the voice of the representatives of the 
people; and who, it is intimated, like some others, perished in the 
generous attempt to rescue some beloved friend from the flames. By a 
premature death, his country is deprived of his services for ever, and a 
wife and five weeping orphans left to deplore their irreparable loss!

Next in order, we find the name of the president of the Bank of Virginia; 
a man, whose vigorous mind was highly improved and richly furnished: long 
known as a useful and active member

(* The list of the unfortunate sufferers.)

Page 14

of the supreme legislature of the nation, where he was distinguished for 
the extent and accuracy of his information. And not less qualified for the 
important station which he lately occupied, by unsuspected integrity and 
unshaken firmness of character, united with habits of strict order and 
correctness, in the management of business. He was, moreover, in private 
life, uniformly mild and amiable; remarkable for sweetness of temper and 
urbanity of manners. And although he has left neither wife nor children to 
deplore their loss, yet his untimely and unhappy end, will long be the 
subject of bitter lamentation, in a large circle of respectable and 
affectionate friends and connections.

The speaker hopes to be indulged in offering this small tribute of respect 
to the memory of a useful citizen, with whom he has had the honour of an 
acquaintance for many years; and he regrets that the want of personal 
acquaintance, prevents him from doing justice to the characters of others, 
who may be equally distinguished. This deficiency, however, be amply 
compensated by those who enjoyed the pleasure of their acquaintance.

I will only add, that in the list of the deceased, we find the names, of 
an eminent attorney, whose wife also perished with him; of a promising 
young officer of the Navy of the United States; of several highly 
respectable merchants; and of one or more strangers of distinction.

Page 15

That view of this mournful catalogue, however, which more especially 
interests our tender feelings, and awakens all the exquisite sensibilities 
of our nature, is the large number of respectable females, it contains. 
Was there ever before an unfortunate city which had equal cause of grief 
and lamentation, on this account! O Richmond! how art thou fallen! Who 
will not drop a tear over thy misfortunes! Thy glory, thy pride, and thy 
beauty; are brought down to the dust, and the dark cloud of sorrow has 
overshadowed thee, and turned thy day into night!

But that which should excite our sensibility to the utmost, and wind up 
all our sympathetic feelings to the highest pitch, is, that the greater 
part were young ladies, in the very prime and bloom of life! About one 
half the names in the whole catalogue are of persons of this description. 
O! who can think, without exquisite anguish, of so many gay and blooming 
virgins, decorated with the charms of beauty, and accomplished by the 
refinements of art, delicate and tender to excess, and accustomed only to 
caresses and endearments, perishing by a death so cruel, and by torments 
so excruciating! Who can describe the chasm which has been made in 
numerous respectable families; and the agony which has been, and is still 
endured! Tell us, ye bereaved mothers, (if words can express it,) the 
pangs which have rent your breaking hearts since you beheld the scorched, 
bruised, and disfigured bodies of your once beautiful daughters.

Page 16

"In Rama," of old, "a voice of lamentation and weeping and great mourning 
was heard: Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted 
because they are not:" And now of late, a cry of anguish equally as bitter 
has proceeded from Richmond! O how many inconsolable Rachels are there 
this day, who weep for their children, and refuse to be comforted! The 
hoary head of the indulgent father too, must now come down with sorrow to 
the grave! Perhaps, the last prop and solace of his declining years, as 
well as the darling of his heart, is for ever gone from his sight!

The helpless widow, and the orphaned children also, lift up their 
deploring hands, and their streaming eyes to heaven, expressing thereby, 
feelings of grief and agony, to which all words are inadequate.

And, why need I attempt to describe the poignant pangs of the disappointed 
lover, (the day of whose nuptials might perhaps have been fixed,) when he 
beholds the beauty which he so much idolized, transformed into a frightful 
and deformed skeleton!

But the shock of this awful stroke is not only felt in the city of 
Richmond, and its immediate vicinity, but in distant and remote parts of 
the state. Several of the young ladies who unfortunately perished in the 
flames, resided at a distances where they had numerous, respectable, and 
affectionate connections, through all the ramifications

Page 17

of which, this occurrence will diffuse the most heart-felt sorrow!

With some, perhaps, it was the first visit of any length which they ever 
made from their father's house. O! fatal visit! Methinks, I see the fond 
mother taking the last leave of her beloved daughter, little suspecting 
that it was the last! Or, shall I fancy, that some unaccountable 
foreboding seizes her mind, and oppresses her heart, as the object of her 
fond hopes and anxious fears is carried from her sight!

But, who shall attempt to imagine what her situation and feelings are, 
when the day arrives which should bring a letter from her affectionate 
child? A letter comes 'tis true; but what horror chills the blood, w hen 
it is seen not to be inscribed in the well known hand of the dear girl; 
and is addressed to the father instead of the mother. Methinks I see his 
veteran hand tremble, whilst he breaks the ominous seal! And the 
countenance which had remained unmoved, whilst death was braved at the 
cannon's mouth, now turns pale as ashes, whilst he reads the few 
incoherent sentences, by which he is made to realize more than ever the 
gloomiest hour had painted on his imagination!

Distressed family! What on earth can give you comfort? This world can 
never afford another taste of joy to you. All its most flattering scenes 
and fascinating appearances must henceforth be considered as deceitful and 
illusive. But one resource

Page 18

remains.--Religion is the only cure for griefs like these: But even piety 
itself may for awhile swell the torrent of distress. "O!" says the pious 
mother, "why did I ever consent to let her go out of my sight; what sin 
and folly have I been guilty of, to commit her to the gaieties and 
dissipation of the metropolis! My poor girl is for ever gone; but I am to 
blame for her permature and awful death; O could she have been permitted 
to die a natural death at home; or any kind of death, whilst engaged in 
serious and pious exercises, I would have been contented! But O! to be 
burnt alive!--To die in the theatre! To be snatched in a moment from time 
to eternity! To be hurried instantly from thoughtless gaiety to the bar of 
GOD! The idea is too dreadful! What soul can endure it! Gracious Heaven! 
send relief to a heart bursting with grief!"

This may be said, to be in part, a fancied case. But O! the reality, in 
this calamity, goes far beyond the powers of imagination.

These last remarks were suggested by the recollection of a modest and 
amiable young lady, whom I happened to see, when on a visit to Virginia 
last summer, in company with a pious mother, at a solemn religious 
meeting, where she appeared to be deeply interested and to enter very 
devotionally into the exercises of the day: but alas! in looking over this 
melancholy list (if I mistake not) I find her name enrolled. She perished 
in the flames on the fatal twenty-sixth of December!

Page 19

It may perhaps be expected by some of my hearers, that I should enter into 
some discussion, relative to the nature and moral tendency of theatrical 
exhibitions. But various considerations influence me to waive this 
discussion for the present. However, I feel it to be incumbent on me, 
without intending to censure those who think differently, or expecting to 
make any considerable impression on a public excessively devoted to these 
amusements, to give my public TESTIMONY against them, as being, 
notwithstanding the partial good which may result from them, on the whole, 
UNFRIENDLY TO PIETY--UNFRIENDLY TO MORALITY--UNFRIENDLY TO HEALTH--
UNFRIENDLY TO DOMESTIC HAPPINESS--AND UNFRIENDLY TO TRUE DELICACY AND 
GENUINE REFINEMENT--And sure I am, that allowing all to this institution, 
which its warmest advocates claim for it, it will not, in a thousand years 
repair to the community, the loss of which it has, in this instance been, 
unfortunately the occasion.

One other observation, I am constrained to make upon this subject, and 
that is,--that those of the inhabitants of this place, and other places in 
our country, who do not even suspend their attendance on public 
amusements, in consequence of the alarming dispensation which has 
occurred, for a single day, clearly evince a destitution of a tender and 
amiable sympathy with their suffering fellow citizens; and also discover a 
state of society, the

Page 20

most alarming to the reflecting mind, which can easily be conceived. If 
there be a moral conclusion clearly deducible from the records of history, 
it is, that such an infatuated devotion to pleasure, in the midst of 
threatening judgments, and public calamities, is a certain indication of a 
people being ripe for ruin, and a sure forerunner of it. As for you, my 
young friends, I hope that you will fully evince the sincerity of your 
grief, and the depth of the impression made on your minds by this awful 
dispensation, by acting up fully to the spirit of that ordinance of the 
common council of the capital of your native state, which prohibits all 
public amusements for the space of four months from its date, and that 
during this period at least, you will religiously abstain from every 
species of public amusement, and more especially from an attendance at the 
theatre. Whilst your native state mourns with such bitter anguish, it is 
no time for you to be seen in the scenes of gaiety and dissipation. But I 
hope you do not need this caution.

I will now bring this discourse to a conclusion, by making a few general 
reflections, which seem to be suggested by the occasion, and which may 
assist us in making the proper improvement of this distressing visitation 
of Almighty God.

1. How vain and precarious are all earthly possessions and enjoyments! How 
uncertain is life itself!--How near are we often to death when unconscious 
of any danger!--How soon may the

Page 21

most flourishing families be desolated and almost extinguished!--Of how 
little real value are those things, for the acquisition of which mankind 
toil with such indefatigable industry!--How soon is the most princely 
fortune dissipated, or the owner snatched away from its possession, before 
the period allotted for its enjoyment, has arrived! Whilst infatuated 
mortals are flattering themselves with the prospect of long and 
uninterrupted pleasure, and like the rich man mentioned in the gospel, 
saying, "Soul, take thine ease, eat, drink and be merry, for thou hast 
much goods laid up for many years;" God, in his holy providence says "Thou 
fool! this night thy soul shall be required of thee. And then whose shall 
those things be which thou hast provided?"

What empty bubbles also, are the honors of office, the dignity of power, 
the eclat of talents, the fame of conquest, and the applause of the world! 
What a fading flower is beauty, and its attendant graces and 
accomplishments! And how strikingly is this exemplified in the melancholy 
scene which we have been this day contemplating! To receive the full 
impression of this truth, you must cast your eyes on that long and 
mournful procession, which slowly ascends the Capitol Hill. You must draw 
near and inspect the contents of those huge coffins which contain all the 
earthly remains of once celebrated beauty.--But ah! instead of the 
brilliant eye, the fair complexion, the winning smile, and the 
indescribable

Page 22

charm of countenance, you now behold ghastly skulls, mangled limbs, bones 
and ashes, indiscriminate; so that neither age, nor sex, nor colour any 
longer can be recognized. Let then the pride of beauty cease, and the vain 
flatterer's incense too. And what shall we say of the pleasures of the 
senses, of the gratifications of appetite, of the indulgence of the 
passions, of the entertainments of fancy, and of the feast of intellect? 
Hear the answer of an oracle, whose responses are never vague and 
ambiguous: "Surely, every man walketh in a vain show."--"Verily, every 
man, at his best state, is altogether vanity."--"Surely, they are 
disquieted in vain: They heap up riches and know not who shall gather 
them." They make trial of 'mirth and pleasure,' and behold the end is 
found to be 'vanity.'--"I said of laughter it is mad, and of mirth what 
doeth it?" They give their hearts to 'madness and folly,' and the fruit is 
'vexation of spirit.' The young man rejoiceth, and his heart cheereth him 
in the days of his youth, and he walketh in the ways of his heart and the 
sight of his eyes, but considereth not that for all these things God will 
bring him into judgment. Even 'in much wisdom is much grief, and he that 
increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow.' 'Vanity of vanities, saith the 
preacher, vanity of vanities, all is vanity. But the conclusion of the 
whole matter is, To fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the 
whole duty of man; For God shall

Page 23

bring, every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be 
good or whether it be evil.'

2. How cold, how dark, and comfortless, is the system of infidelity, to 
persons overwhelmed with calamity, and suffering under the pressure of 
heavy affliction! The idea of obscuring and extinguishing the pleasing and 
necessary light of revelation, was never first entertained by the sons of 
adversity. This scheme was never intended, nor calculated to tranquillize 
the perturbations, and sooth the agonies, of a soul rent with anguish. 
What consolation does it offer to the bereaved parent, to the disconsolate 
widow, to the destitute orphan, and to indigent and diseased old age? What 
relief to the alarmed and struggling sinner, held fast in the grasp of 
death? To such it presents no brighter prospect than the blackness of 
despair.

The following narrative may be depended on, as substantially correct: "In 
a populous town on this continent, a gentleman of some learning and 
talents, distinguished himself by his zeal for infidelity; and he was 
unhappily but too successful in poisoning the minds of many young persons 
with his libertine principles. In the number of his proselytes was a young 
lawyer, of good education and promising talents, who appeared confidently 
to adopt these new opinions, without entering, however, into any careful 
or impartial investigation of the subject;--but relying implicitly on the 
plausible representations and

Page 24

confident assertions of his friend, who assured him in the most positive 
terms, that Christianity was a fable and religion a dream. This last 
mentioned gentleman being seized with a mortal fit of illness, his young 
disciple hastened to his chamber, and accosted him in the following 
manner: "Dear sir, I have been led by your advice and influence to adopt a 
system which I am anxious to see proved in this honest hour and trying 
situation, to which you are come; tell me, I conjure you by our 
friendship, plainly and candidly; are you satisfied? Do your sentiments 
afford you peace and comfort in the near prospect of death?" The sick 
gentleman, much agitated, and casting a look of horrid consternation on 
his young friend, exclaimed, "All is darkness and uncertainty," and in a 
few minutes expired. The scene left too deep an impression on the mind of 
the young lawyer ever to be erased. He renounced the tenets of infidelity 
from that moment, and began to make himself acquainted with the sacred 
scriptures, which he found to contain the true secret of a peaceful death, 
as well as a happy immortality."

Indeed, so conscious are the abettors of infidel principles, that they are 
badly qualified to administer consolation to the distressed and dying, 
that they seldom apply them for the comfort of their friends in these 
circumstances; and what is worst of all, they often fail the infidel 
himself, when he most needs their support; as witness Voltaire,

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Diderot, and a host of inferior names. I have, indeed, read somewhere, of 
an instance of one of these modern philosopers attempting to console his 
dying wife, by preaching to her the doctrine, that death was an eternal 
sleep; but the good lady being better instructed, and entertaining better 
hopes, rejected the miserable comfort, with pious indignation.

Infidelity was the product of pride and licentiousness combined. Its 
object was to break down the restraints of conscience, to separate remorse 
from crime, and to banish fear from the guilty. It never ought to be 
considered as an evidence of superior understanding or information; for it 
has been repeatedly proved that the balance of genius, learning and worth, 
were greatly on the side of revelation. And every young man should repel 
every solicitation to embrace this deadly system, with horror and 
indignation. For scepticism, once admitted into the soul, may not be so 
easily cast out, even when we desire it, and stand in need of better 
consolations.

3. What an invaluable gift to suffering humanity is the christian 
religion! It is true, it does not remove our earthly afflictions; but it 
mitigates and sanctifies them. It does not make this world a satisfying 
portion; but it brings a better world into view. If it strips earthly 
objects of their fictitious and bewitching charms, it is to prevent our 
being deceived and seduced by them. If it forbids pleasure, it is to put 
us in possession of

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happiness. If it requires self-denial, it compensates a hundred fold for 
the pain occasioned, by the peace of conscience, and joy of self-conquest 
which it inspires. The tears of repentance which it commands, it converts 
into streams of consolation. It turns our heaviest afflictions to our 
advantage; and our greatest losses become our richest gain. It prepares us 
for exertion and for suffering--teaches us how to live and how to die. It 
is this divine religion which sweetens the coarse fare, and softens the 
hard bed of poverty: which sooths the anguish of the heart broken with 
sorrow, and fills up the chasm produced in the mind by the bereavement of 
beloved friends:--which binds up and heals those wounds in the spirit 
which no other remedy can reach. Yes; Religion, despised and neglected as 
it is, is after all, the only sure refuge of the afflicted, and solace of 
the wretched. It is that alone, which can smooth the rugged path that 
leads down to the valley of the shadow of death: and which often sheds a 
cheering light on that gloomy vale of tears. But it does more:--It 
discovers to us the glory, and brings us to the possession of those happy 
regions where there are no more sighs and tears;--where no sad tidings 
overwhelm the soul;--where no storms blow--no destructive fires burn--no 
sickness wastes--no sounds of horrid war disturb the eternal peace: There 
is the rest which remaineth for the people of God;--there dwells the 
society which is completely blessed: There the glorious

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Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, having himself 'endured the 
cross, despising the shame,' now sits highly exalted on his throne of 
majesty, resplendent with all the glories of Deity, which beam through his 
face and diffuse happiness among unnumbered millions.

But, in order to enjoy the consolations of religion, we must practise its 
precepts; and in order to practise its precepts, we must experience its 
power. True religion is not a form, but a living principle within;--not a 
name, but an active, energetic influence, which governs the whole man, and 
directs his views and exertions to the noblest objects.

Finally, permit me to conclude this discourse, by considering the 
dispensation which has occasioned our meeting here this day, in the light 
of a solemn warning. Yes, my hearers, if ever the warning trumpet of a 
righteous Providence sounded loudly in our ears, it doth this day. The 
voice of this dispensation is truly alarming. Let no weak notions, of 
accident and second causes, keep you from observing the frowns of heaven, 
which lower over us. Think not that these were 'sinners above all who 
dwell in this land, because they suffered such things.' I tell you nay: 
But except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish."

Often, since the ominous and fatal handwriting on the wall caused the 
proud kind of Babylon to shake with terror in the midst of his profane 
mirth

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and riot, has the awful transition from the gay scenes of dissipation, to 
the gloomy shades of death, been made in the period of a single night! 
Often, have the votaries of pleasure been hurried from the festive board, 
the merry dance, the opera and play; and what is still more dreadful, from 
scenes of riot and debauchery, into eternity, to answer for their deeds, 
before the tremendous bar of GOD. Receive the warning then, and suffer the 
word of exhortation. The views and impressions produced by this deplorable 
occurrence, however painful at the present, may be precious in their 
effects, and should not be suffered to pass off without originating such 
resolutions and purposes, as shall become the foundation of a new course 
of life. You may never in the whole period of your lives, find a season so 
favourable, to shake off the undue influence of the world, and to break 
with every darling lust and besetting sin. My last advice, therefore, is, 
BECOME REAL CHRISTIANS. Make religion a personal concern. Attend to it 
without delay. "Remember now thy in the days of thy youth." And may the 
God of all grace crown the exercises of this day with his blessing, for 
Christ's sake.--Amen.