Qass 
 
 
/ 
 
 DISCOUESE, 
 
 DELIVERED 
 
 / 
 
 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. 
 
t- - 
 
 
 .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. 
 
< 
 
 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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