IE 241 G8 T9 I Copy 1 E R M O N DELIVERED AT ^^ ^^ii©W(i)iLa)9 SEFTEMBEM Wh, A. D, 1S21» AS A THIBtJTE OF RESPECT TO THE MEMORf OF TfiOSE WHO WERE THERlS SLATN, CNTIIE TAT/.L SIXTH OF SEPTIiluBEii, A.D. iTSlc By TIMCTBY TUTTLE, PASTOR OF THE UNITED CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH IN GROTON» NEW-LONDONj Clapp & Francis.. ..PRINTERS, 4831, Groton, ^ept. 6, 1821. Itev. TIMOTHY TUTTLE, Sir, We the siibseribefs, having been appoint- ed a Committee to wait on you, and request tlie favor of a copy of your Ser- mon, delivered at Fort Griswold, this day, for publication, do hereby call iiijonr you, ^nd make the above requesL ^ ^ -^ ' EBENEZER ATERY, 2d. ■ NOYES BARBER, JAMES MITCHEL, JOSEPH U.SMITH. •» >• ^A 2d, SAMUEL 1, Ig. " Jnd they mourned, and %vept, and fasted until even, for Saul, and for Jonathan his Son, and jor the people of the Lord, and for the house of Israel J because they were fallen by the sword J^ .N this cliapter, we have an account of the lameniatioii lof David, for Saul, and for those who fell witii him Saul had hitherto been successful, iu contending against the enemies of Israel ; but he was now about to experience a sad re/erse. He engaged in combat with the army of the Philistines ; and being overpowered, a large number of his forces, together with himself and his three sons, fell by the sword, upon the mountains of Gilboa. Wiien tidings of this event reached ;avi:l, (who was then in a state of exile.) he and the men thit were with him, " mourned, and wept, and fasted until even, for anj, and for Jonathan his son, and for the people of the ^ord, and for the house of Israel ; because they were fallen by the sword.'' However unkindly David had been treated by Saul, he remem- bered not against him the ill treatinent, which he had received : he mourned for him with filial affection ; and, iu his mourning, he ma.nifested the disposition of a pious soul,— even that dispo- sition, which is enjoined in the command of riisist ; *»' love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and perse- cute you/' This grief was heightened on account of the death of Jona- than ; for to him, he was peculiarly attached. We arc told, that *• the soul of Jonathan was knit with the. soul of David, aad Jonathan loved him as his own soul. Indeed, the bonds of their friendship were such, that no adversity could burst them asunJer. Well then might DavidN lament the death of a iaith- ful — a trifd friend. He lameiited also, on account of the loss of the many brave men, who fell in that disastrous battle, lliese were men of rtr-pcctabilitj. They were 'the professed people of the Lord | aud many of them, uiinonijUdiy, weie tr!.;ly pious. He mouined, on account of ttie loss, which his beloved coun- try had sustained, and the reproach^ which wa§ brought Ms nation. He well knew, that tlie eaemy would rejoice at tMsi disaster, and that the undrcumcised would triumph. On this mournful occasioa, he delivered one of the most pa- thetic pieces of elegiac poetry, which the world has ever be- held. ^< And David lamented with tliis lamentation over Saul, and over Jonathan his son : The beauty of Israel is slain upon fhy high places: liovy are the mighty fallen! Tell it not in 0ath, publish it not in the streets of xVskelon ; lest the daugh- ters of the Philistines rejoice, lest the daughters of the uncircum- cised triumph. Ye mountains of Gilboa, let there be no dew, neither let there be rain upon you, nor fields of offerings : for there the shield of the mighty is vilely cast away, the shield of Saul, as though he had not been anoiuted with oil. From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty, the bow of Jo- laathan turned not back, and the sword of Saul returned not empty. Saul and Jonathan were lovely and pleasant in their lives, and in their death they were not divided. — Bow are the mighty fallen, and the weapons of war perished 1'^ Thus he mourned the loss, which himself and his country had sustained. Yet he knew, that the hand of the Almighty had brought it to pass ; and he uttered not a murmuring word a^ gainst the Divine dispensation. To mourn when calamities befall us, or when our friends are removed far from us, by the hand of death, is natural to man- Ikiiid. On such occasious, expeiience proves, that it is difficultjp if not impossible, to restrain the flowing tear, and to check the rising sigh. To mourn, with cordial accpiiescence in the will of God, is hot indeed criminal : it is but an expression of the tender emotions of the soul, for the loss of those whom we sin^ cerely loved. Such was the expression of David and bis com- panions, when <^^ they mourned, and wept, and fasted until even :'' and such, Imay add, was the expression of the Lord of glory, at the tomb of Laaariis : <' Jesus wept.'^ In the text, we are ^ilso taught, that it is not improper to mourn over the calamities occasioned by the sword. 1 o discuss the question respecting either ilie. justice, or the propriety of war, is not my province, on the present occasion." 1 profess a re- ligon, " the w^eapons of whose warfare is not carnal.'^ I would JTather say to my country, (if the will of God be so) " peace be within thy walls, and prosperiiy witlini thy palaces." But hard must be the heart of that man, who pan listen to the noise of the battl^ ; who can hear the groans of/,wounded and the dying, and the cries of widows and of orphans ; who can behold garments rolled in blood ; and who can view re- gions depopulated, and. yiliages itud in ashes 5 withoitt lament- ing the calamities of war, and sl£;liiug over the ruins occasioned by this terrible destroyer. UavinsL* made these sieneral remarks. I now observe, that we have special reason to moitrn^ ichen men of uspfulneiis are taken awaij. David and big conipatiions mourned " for Saul, and for Jonathan his son, and for the people of the Lord ;" be- cause the loss to the community appeared to be great. Men of uselulucss, wherever they exist, ought to possess the esteem and the affection ef their fellow beings : for, by their exertions i\^ do good, society at large is beneiiied ; the' happy effects of their influence are seen and acknowledged \ and, in many in- srancesjth^ good which they aeconipllsh, is extended to remote p^^SS^^ Frequently, an individual, by his own exertion, has been the favoured instvu rent of extcHsive good to his fel- low-men. Thus the •' Chiisiidu Researches" of Buchanan have been the means of arousing Ghriiitendom to missionary enter- prize. Thus also, while there remains a friend of degraded, insulted Africa, the name of Wiiberforce Avill live, in the grate- ful recollection of the work he has achieved. How great also is the good Avhich has already been done by those individuals, who have gone forth, to plant the standard of the cross in hea- than lands. Thousands yet unborn, will receive benefit from their toils, and labours, and [mvatioua. The names of Brain- ard, and Elliot, and Whitefield are imprinted, — not upon the records of fame 5 but in living characters, upon the heart of eve- ry friend to the cause of Kmanuel. I may add, while our na- tion exists, and its present form of government is maintained, t&e nfi me of Washington will be revered. Happy is thot peo- ple, among wiiora the iufiuence of such men -is felt. Happy are those, who live and act like them. When men of usefulness are taken away, there is reason to mourn, because their 2^67'SonaZ Za5o?/rs cease. While tJitey are particularly Ciualified to be eminently useful, their labours, seem to human view, to be greatly needed. Their wisdom aiid ex- perience are profitable to direct, in i\\Q accomplishment of every jmportant undertaking. But deatli puts an end to th'ir exertion, " In the grave whither they go, there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom.'^ What tbey have d'o??^?, remains an imperishable mooament of tlieir worth : but they can do no more. There is reason also to mourn, because their example is no longrer exhibited ix} the view of their fellov.'-men. The exam- pie of men cf worth, and especially of men of piety, exerts a happy iaflaerice. it has a tendency to encourage and animate the faithful.— tG check llie licentious and profane, — to promote tlie order, peace, and welLbelng of society. It often speaks more forcibly than precept | and its influence is more command- ing. But when death closes the scene, the example of such is no longer exhibited. It does n(vt perliaps altogether cease in those ^ff''cf^j which have already been prodaced : but it ceases to be seen in tke life and conversation. There is also reason to inovirn, because their coiinsel can no longer be imp:u'ted. The council of men of wisdom, experience, integrity, and vnlue, is always useful, and always desirable, in the view of those who feel their own deficiency ; and by such it will be sought in every important undertaking,— it will be prized. The voice of inspiration has declared, " where no cownsel is, the people fall : but in the multitude of counsellors, there is safety.'^, 'he r^rno\iiVof wise counsellors is, therefore, greatly to be lamented. Again, when good men are taken away, there is reason to moani, because ! heir prayers in behalf of their fellow-men, and for tlie prosperity of Zion, cease to be offered. We are assur- edj that ^' the effectual fervent praye^'of a righteojus man avail- eth' raucli.*' Indeed, so long as the christian church remains ; so- iong as men are favoured with the volume of revelation, and its docaiues are believed, aiid its precepts are oheyed ; the irapor tance, nod the effect of prayer will be acknowledged. It is the channel of communication between heaven and earth, — the channel, by which blessings sre conveyed down to men. The liisiory of iiod's ancient people clearly proves, that it is the on- ly sure safe- guard of a nation. !No doubt, it has accompUsheil more, than could have been accomplished, by fleets and armiest It has been the means of shutting up the heavens, that they gave no rain : and again, of causing tlie rain to descend, and the earth to yield her fruit. It has called down spiritual bles- sings npon churches, societies, and individuals. These things have been acconipjished, — not because prayer is meritorious ; ?>ut because God will be inquired of, for the blessings which he bestows. At the sentiments now advanced, infidelity may i^coff ; but we are sure, that the truty pious will pray : and their prayers will be the means of averting Divine judgments, and of obtaining Divine blessings. When therefore, praying men. are removed by death, their removal may be considered a pub- lic calamity. To die is indeed their gain : but the loss is oars. Thu« may we mourn, v/hen men of usefulness are taken away ; and. especially, when they aije removed by an untimf^ly death 5 — ^.vhen their exit is attenled. Men and Brethren^ Forty years have already passed away, shice the ground on which wc stand, was drenched with the blood of your fathers and jxiiiv brotliers. While these shores were invaded by the armed foe, they obeyed what they considered the call of duty. On this spot, they assembled, for the defence of their paternal heritage, their parents, their wives and children, and their coun- try's dearest rights : and here they bled and died. The most of those who fell, belonged to this Parish. Many of them were heads of families ; and some were members of the church. On that ever memorable day, Avell may it be said, respectihg this place, as it was said of llama of old, ^^There was a voice heard^ lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning."* It was the Biourning, not only of parents, and of brothers and sisters, but of widows and of fatherless children. This was indeed the most affecting scene, which this place ever witnessed. Many of my audience can call to mind the appalling sight, presented by the mangled dead, and by garments rolled in blood. A few indeed, who were actors in the scene, still survive to commemorate the day. God, in his holy providence, was pleased to spare them^ while their companions inarms, were taken. That was truly a day of calamity, not only to families, and to individu?ls, but to this Parish at large. Tiiey who fell, were, in general, men of usefulness : they were active members in so- eiety ; and by their loss, a blow was struck to ih,h Parisli, to re= cover froKi which, it vrill perhaps require years still to come. Such was the calaniity, which befel this place, and which we this day call to mlud. Your fathers and brotliers fell in defence of your rights and priyileges : they dietl to make their children and posterity free. To you, those rights and privileges, for which they contended, and which they so highly prized, have been transmitted. Through tiie shedding of their blood, you now possess a goodly heritage. They are gone to the eternal World, and to the presence pf him, who jadgeth righteously. While Vie call to mind the affecting manner, in which they were taken out of time , let us also look beyond all rnstramenls and second causes, and consider that it was brought to pass by the unerring counsel of Rim, who hath ^'his way in the sea, and his. path in the great waters, and whose footsteps are not known ;'^ but, "of whose throne, righteousness and judgment are the hab- itation.'" Let us remember alsop that the inheritance, which we now possess, aiid the privileges, which we now enjoy, are his gift, and, as such, we are required to use them. We are placed in this world, as stewards for God 5 and to Him, we must give an account af our stevfardsliip. \¥hatthen, ft may be enquired, is the course, which you ought to pursue ? In the possession of these gifts, which a (iod of mercy has bountifully bestowed, will you disregard the Giv- er, and forget your obligations to love and serve Him i^ Wili you forget, that He who gave, can also take away ; and that, for every abuse of his bounty, he is offended ? You doubtless claim to be considered, as lovers of your country. You esteem her in- stitutions ;— you regard her w^elfare. But who is the real patri- ot? Moses, Joshua, Havid, andDaniel were such. They did' not sound a trumpet before them, and boast of the services, which they had performed : nor did they serve their country, merely for the sake of honor or emolument. They were the friends of man. They loved, and they sought to promot'^. the cause of pi- ety. Without virtue, what would society be, but a band of ruf- fians, bouad together by no ties of tenderness, influenced by no consciousness of right, and subject to no restraint, but that of force. In what respect would it be superior, even to Sodam ? Every vice would prevail ; and jusiice and equity would be mio known. I do not hesitate to assert^ that the happiness of your country, nay, her very existence, as a nation of freemen, depends on the prevalence of virtue and piety. Reject the Bible, and cast off the restraints of moral obligation, and you open a broad pas- «ag