E392 i^««M>fi:innn(nw»»im'v.H»Ti-.m-i.my.v,rtt.i:ttil « V V * » ^^ '>^ "-> ^j. * O N ' ^^^ -^^ 1^ ="^ *'r^. .' ^0'' * » ■» ,^ '^^ ^j. *t>lfO c, 'f ■ » o -J^Clr^,** .0-' ^^ '♦ ^ \^/ :A'. %.o.' .v^"^-.. %/ •'>^'. \.o* . /J? .*' ^-^^ 0^ y / / DISCOURSE OCCASIONED BY THE DEATH OF ^VM. MENUY HARRISON, DELIVERED APRIL 18th, REPEATED BY REQUEST, APRIL 25th, 1811. BY ^miiSilLIlS ©0 IP®1B'3II1IB9 1 1 PASTOB or SECOND AVENUE CHUKCH. N E W - Y R K : CHATTERTON & CRIST, PRINTERS, 135 Watcr-st. Cor. of Pine- 1841. .'/^v y t^ u- ■ET 39 2 New- York, May, 4tli 1841. Reverend and Dear Sir — Having hoard many express a desire that the Sermon delivered by you, on occasion of the death of the lamented WM. HENRY HARRISON, late President of the United States, might be published, and especially as we believe that its extensive circulation cannot fail to have a salutary eflfect, we respectfully solicit a copy of the same for that purpose. With great respect, yours, &c. JOHN NEWHOUSE, DAVID HARRIOT, H. GRIFFIN, WM. E. DODGE. REV. CHARLES S. PORTER. Gentlemen : I herewith transmit a copy of the discourse solicited by you for publi. cation. This I do from deference to your request, rather than from any convictions that I have of its merits. Most Respectfully Yours, CHARLES S. PORTER. To JOHN NEWHOUSE, and others. •ill Exchange Peabody last, of Balto. June 14 1927 SERMON. ECCL. VII. 14. In the day of prosperity be joyful — but in the day of adversity consider. god also hath set the one over against the other to the end that ilan should find >rothing after him. This world is the scene of constant, heart affecting change. So universal experience testifies. " The morning cometh and also the night." The text recognizes this fact and as- sociates with it important practical truth. It teaches us that God so ordains in the adminis- tration of his government, and sets the day of adversity over against the day of prosperity. He does this for moral effect. " These thinsfs God worketh oftentimes to withdraw man from his purpose, and hide pride from man." Eat the design of God in his providences is generally disregarded. His goodness fails to effect re- pentance. Perverse man grows hard under the rod. Hence the propriety of the direction, " in the day of adversity consider," to "hear the rod and him that hath appointed it." And if " men would praise the Lord for his goodness," there 8 which man lives, that here " mercy and truth meet together, and righteousness and peace em- brace each otiier." i^lingled good and evil is a possible thing, while the good is not the desert or full reward of virtue, nor the evil the full amount of merited chastisement. Yet, both persuade reformation and holiness in heart and life. The design of adversity is not necessarily secured by having experienced it. The neces- sity and right use of chastisement is evinced by the Psalmist's testimony. " Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep thy pre- cepts. I thought on my ways and turned my feet unto thy testimonies." Corrections are con- sistent with divine benevolence towards man. Here they are disciplinary — and not retribu- tive. Administered bv God thev evince the exis- tence of wrong and the necessity of reformation in order to secure his favor. They are em- ployed as means of salvation, and not of destruc- tion, and the text enjoins it upon man to regard them in this light and improve them for this end. II. — Let it be considered that these adverse changes must have an issue. What that issue shall be it is for the afflicted themselves to say. Yvhile yet they are impen- ding or are just beginning to be felt, they may be averted or checked in their operation. So the dark cloud that hung portentous over Nineveh, was averted by their repentance. In the matter of Korah and Baalpeor, the plague wavS stayed when Aaron made an atone- ment, and " Phinehas executed judgment." So ready is he " who does not afflict willingly" to turn away his wrath. Individuals have had experience of mitigated chastisement when they have turned to the Lord with their whole heart. There is yet another issue which afflictions often find. Light at first, they grow heavier and are longer continued. The remedy is adap- ted to the disease. When the latter is invet- erate, the former must be violent. By severe means, nations and individuals are humbled and reclaimed. Prosperity returns with the con- ciliated favor of God. Many now bless him that he kindled the hres of affliction to such inten- sity, and continued them long enough to melt and subdue them. They owe their highest enjoyment and hopes to the redeeming influence of the "rod of God." But these dispensations are not necessarily effective for good. Disregarded they find issue in the destruction of the sufferers. So Israel ceased from being a nation. Other kingdoms and people have wasted and perished by the frowns of God. Individuals hardened under reproof, respited for a season are reserved with their accumulated guilt to the retributive awards of eternity. Nor are these diversified calamities of any pri- 10 vate interpretation. They are parts of God's universal moral government, illustrating its na- ture and tendency — for the instruction of all and the promotion of the greatest good. He who understands the desperate depravity of the human heart, can he at no loss to conceive what a spectacle earth would have presented at this moment, did not " His judgments keep the world in awe." They show the fearful odds with which oppo- sers of his government have to contend, and the hopelessness of a successful issue. For, " there is no wisdom, nor understanding, nor counsel against the Lord." III. — It should be considered in justification of the ways of God that mercies precede judge- ments. Opening scenes in the divine administration are like a morning without clouds, beautiful and full of promise. When he laid earth's foundation *'the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy." The history of man commences with a scene in a garden. To the father of the new world the " bow in the cloud" was the symbol and the pledge of God's cove- nant faithfulness. How goodly were the tents of Jacob, and the dwellings of Israel spread forth as the valley, as gardens by the river's side in the promised land. Not one thing of all that God had promised 11 failed. So it might have been perpetually, had not his " people forgotten their resting place." Our republican government arose like a bright star to shine on the bosom of night. Distant nations hailed it as the dawn of a new and glo- rious day. In its resources that defy calculation, in promise of numbers and influence, upon the destiny of man over the globe, our nation is now in the language of one of her own poets, " The queen of the world and the child of the skies." This feature of the divine administration is discernible in the history of individuals. And if God sets the day of adversity over against the day of prosperity, as he set the seven years of famine in Egypt, over against the seven years of plenty, there is " a need be" for it. And this necessity is of a two-fold character. I. — The heart of man is lifted up with con- tinued success. Pride is fostered. Self confi- dence, presumption and impiety are the baneful consequences. The divine existence and the divine will are disregarded or denied. The tide of profligacy widens and deepens. The fear of God is cast off and prayer is restrained. The prevailing sentiment is that of Pharaoh's, " who is the Lord that I should obey his voice." This spirit must be overcome, this arrogance hum- bled, or government is at once at an end. God must either let loose his wrath and destroy, or in mercy and faithfulness afflict. Thus the way 12 of mercy is prepared. The forerunner and herald of the " Prince of peace" was of *' rough exterior." The Lord's way must be prepared in the wilderness, and the highway of our God in the desert. The means must be suited to the end. If our nation has ever been brought to the verge of ruin, the religion and morals of the people threatened with an entire subversion, it has been by prosperity. Man is ruined by hav- ing his carnal wishes gratified. Danger arises to him from this feeling of security. The sen- timent of the poet is the testimony of universal enlightened experience, " Far more the treacherous calm I dread, Than tempests bursting o'er my head." II. — Under a just government the guilty must be arraigned and punished for the abuse of good- ness. Possession involves obligation. If every good gift and every perfect gift, cometh down from the Father of Lights, the reception and enjoyment of them creates a moral obligation to love and serve the giver. Where this is not done there is sin, and sin may not pass uncan- celled and unchastised, either in nations or indi- viduals. The day of reckoning is sure to come. The benevolence of God is manifestly capa- ble of vindication, in respect to those adverse changes, which mankind experience, since his mercies precede judgments, and man's unteach- ableness renders severe measures necessary. 13 The evils v/hicli uatioiis and individuals expe- rience they procure unto themselves. Under such circumstances the resolution mav well be taken and carried out. '• Let us search and try our ways and turn again to the Lord." The benevolent intentions of God in sending afflic- tions are answered when the offender is re- claimed. And in every thing short of utter ruin he exacteth of the sinner less than his iniqui- ties deserve. Man's consideration of the Author, of the design of adversity, his benevolence and mercy in affliction, must persuade the most unfeigned repentance, genuine humiliation and contrition of soul, upon a knowledge and sense of sin, together with a holy fear of more severe and righteous judgments upon further provocation. The sentiment under consideration, together with the foregoing illustrative remarks, have great pertinency of application to ourselves, in respect to our recent national bereavement. I. — The rebuke is most impressive and solemn, regarded in its application to us as a christian nation. We are a bereaved people. The hand of God has been laid heavily upon us, in removing by death our much lamented Ciiief Magistrate. The nation mourns, and justly, under the stroke. But God has done it, and fur our good. He has done it in view of all that he has heretofore wrought for us, in viev/ of what he would have 14 us become in our character and influence as a christian nation upon the destinies of the world- Our fathers were christian men. As a writer has justly remarked, God sifted the nations that he misht plant this land with the choicest seed. Never were the foundations of an empire laid under the auspices of so mucli piety and talent as those of the American Republic. Regarded in the light of the times in which they lived, their private characters, practical wisdom, and their far reaching policy, our ancestors were wonder- ful men. Time evinces their greatness by the test of those great principles which under God they seized upon and brought into operation here. They asserted and defended witli their blood, those individual rights of which God has inalienablv possessed man, and also, the right of self-government as a nation. And thus we are a people without government, hereditary or despotic, and yet not a nation in anarchy. But being without law, we are a law unto ourselves bv voluntarv enactments, and our o;overnment is doubly dear and sacred to us, because it has been instituted by ourselves. But we have other characteristics than our origin, of a christian nation. What other nation has so eminentlv and so extensively a christian literature, an enlightened and spiritual ministry? Where can piety as here in our own land exert unrestrained its diffusive principles, and so rap- 15 idly accumulated moral icliuences for the eleva- ticD and redemption of man ? What other nation is so eminently a land of Bibles. Sabbath Schools and revivals as our own ] And what Chief Mag- istrate have we had since the days of Washing- ton, that seemed to sympathise so deeply with our religious interests ? Who that loves his country, that understands the nature of Repub- lican Institutions, and especially what true christian did not hear or read with peculiar sat- isfaction this sentence in his Inaugural Address. " I deem the present occasion sufficiently im- portant and solemn to justifv me in expressing to my fellow citizens a profound reverence for the christian religion, and a thorough convic- tion that sound morals, religious liberty, and a just sense of religious responsibility, are essen- tially connected with all true and lasting happi- ness, and to that good Being who has blessed us bv the orifts of civil and religious freedom, who watched over and prospered the labors of our fathers, and has hitherto preserved to us insti- tutions far exceeding in excellence those of any other people : let us unite in fervently commen- ding every interest of our beloved country in all future time."' Imbued with -such a spirit might we not hope as a christian nation, that our national council would in all future enactments reverence the revealed will of God, and uniformly legislate in 16 concurrence with the established principles of his government. His death then at such a crisis, is a most solemn and powerful rebuke to us as a christian nation. We are then called to consider by it. I. — Our ingratitude for those privileges which we have enjoyed. Our's by inheritance, we have not valued as they who so dearly purchased them, our social, civil and religious advantages. And ungrate- ful for these blessings w^e have not exerted our- selves as we sliould for the diffusion of light, the word of God and christian ordinances over the whole American soil, for the promotion of the spiritual well-being of passing generations, the perpetuation and universal dissemination of our privileges to the whole family of man, and to the end of time. So that our ingratitude is not only a heinous sin in itself, but is at the same time preventive of the most desirable results, God then has most justly rebuked us and set this day of adversity over against the day of our prosperity. By it we as a nation are solemnly called to repentance. And were this generally the case, what a new aspect would be put at once upon our religious interests ; what secu- rity would be given for the perpetuation of our Republican Institutions, and what earnests of an extended happy influence upon the nations of the earth. Who will not pray that the peo- 17 pie may so hear the rod and Him who hath appointed it? II. — The rebuke calls us seriously to consider the prevalence of national sins. That there has been and still is by us as a nation a gross desecration of the Sabbath, none will deny. That our national and state coun- cils have sanctioned this desecration by their enactments is capable of demonstration. That our government has been and is guilty of wrong done to the red man, and the black man, must be admitted by all. A deep-seated spirit of worldliness also, has alienated the church from her master's service. These sins have long been crying to heaven for vengeance. God threatens with his sorest judgments, the nation guilty of Sabbath profanation and oppression. And the terror of those judgments have received illustra- tion in the aAvful experience of nations that have wasted and perished from the face of the earth under them. And our recent bereave- ment shows that we are not beyond the reach of the hand of God, and that though we may be, He is not unmindful of our sins. And the existence and toleration of these national sins is the evidence of great corruption, and lack of moral principle throughout the nation. Or if we want other proof of this fact, see it in those instances of insubordination to law, and outbreakings of popular feelings. See it 18 in the numerous and gross defalcations of public men, in the hase management of our monied institutions ; in the unenforced enactments of our statute books, by public officers through fear of losing public favor, and a covetous self- seeking spirit to the great detriment of social interests. All these particulars and others which might be mentioned, swell the catalogue of our national guilt to a fearful extent, and which the recent afflictive dispensation of the Great Ruler among the nations calls upon us to consider, deplore and labor to remove. " Right- eousness exalteth a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people." It hoists the flood gates of ruin, and springs the mines of utter extermination. Abundant causes of national destruction are already in existence, and should God take off restraint and bid them rage, the last page of our history miglit soon be written, and be one of the darkest pages in the annals of time. Such an issue nothing but timely consideration and reformation can avert, as God is true and just. III. — The rebuke is solemn and impressive, taken in connexion with previous chastisements. God has been perpetually calling our .sins to remembrance. Within a few years his judg- ments Iiave walked the land. The utter de- rangement of the currency ; national and state bankruptcy, an existing and still impending chastisement ; the great lire of eighteen hundred 19 and tbirty-live, in this city; wasting sickness in some places ; general depression of business ; the fearful catrastrophe of the '' Home," and the " Lexington ;" a protracted expensive and fruit- less war with the Indians on our frontiers; occasional specks of war with the mother coun- try in our horizon, sometime of menancing aspect ; ravages by flood and tempest to a limited extent ; together with the embarrass- ments of our benevolent Cliristian Institu- tions, carrying sadness and grief of heart into our Churches throughout the land ; these, these are the tones of Jehovah's remonstrance with us, and taken in connexion with which, the death of Wm. Henry Harrison, so soon after his induction into office, is a terrific thunder- peal of reproof. Will the nation be as thor- oughly reformed as it has been severely chas- tised? Will our rulers learn to think soberly of themselves as mortals amenable to the bar of God, and liable to be summoned at any moment by the Judge of all to render an account? Will the people realize the vanity of all earthly dependencies, and give practical regard to the inspired precept, " It is better to trust in the Lord, than to put confidence in man. It is bet- ter to trust in the Lord, than to put confidence in Princes." And O, will ail as it becomes us mingle godly sorrow with the national grief? And may we not hope that some touched with 20 sincere grief at the death of one so justly lamen- ted, who expressed so " profound a reverence for the christian religion," will be led to think of his death, who gave his life a ransom for many — the Saviour and Redeemer of the world, to whom through faith rulers and subjects must owe their hopes of heaven. Pray, O pray my brethren that a consummation so devoutly to be wished may be secured. May the national religious services in connexion with a day of fasting and prayer, recommended by the pre- sent Chief Magistrate, be found greatly tribu- tary to such a result. II. — As an encouragement to repentance and reformation, we should consider the special mer- cies by which God tempers our afflictions. I. — That God fixed the attention of the nation upon so worthy a candidate for the highest gift which they or any people under heaven have it in their power to bestow — that so united a suf- frage constituted him the head of our Republic, and that he was spared to shape so auspicious a train of influences for the promotion of the public welfare ; one which his successor sees no occa- sion to alter, and one manifestly w^orthy, as it has so generally secured the nation's confidence. II. — That the short term of cfiice wiiich the late Chief IMagistr ate held, was characterized by such a catholic spirit in his intercoiu'se vv^ith the members of the national council, that he 21 acknowledged the supremacy of the constitution; and desired with his latest breath, that his suc- cessor might understand and be governed by its principles — and above all that while he was daily growing in the estimation of the people, he professedly sought the Divine guidance in administering the affairs of this mighty Repub- lic. It is a mercy to have had such a man as the regularly constituted head of the nation, though but for one short month. May his spirit and principles be perpetuated as the earnest, the pledge of virtue and piety in the people, and the safe and successful administration of a truly Republican and Christian government. III. — It is a mercy taken in connexion with our bereavement, that in the all-wise and over- ruling providence of God, so worthy a man as the present Chief Magistrate should succeed to the office which he now holds — one whose recommendation of a national fast, commends him to the confidence of the people — not deem- ing it out of character and place as the ruler of a christian nation, to lend his name and influ- ence in promoting a practical regard of the Divine dispensations. How different might all this have been, had God so over-ruled in his providence. While we mourn our loss, let us also bless God for such a gift, and mingle with our thanksgivings, supplications for Divine gui- dance for him and those associated with him, as 22 the executive of the national will, that having **tho righteous in authority the people may rejoice," Let them be remembered in prayer, that the contemplated extra session of Congress may be guided by wisdom, at this crisis in our history, and so legislate as shall preserve the honor and secure the harmonious operations of our government, and the integrity of the several states, IV. — It is a mercy that by order of the late Postmaster General, the Sunday Mails are to be discontinued, in some parts of the Western States — that the idea of further reform is so grateful to the people, and has the hearty con- currence of many in the business community. Tlie Sahhath Mail is an institution of Mam- 771071. What an evidence it would be of our national reformation, could this temple and idol of Baal be demolished. Then God, even our own God might bless us, V. — It is a mercy that at this time we have Bome pious rulers and judges in the land, who in the discharge of the duties of their office, are *' a terror to evil-doers and a praise to them that do well." May the Lord hasten the time when all our " rulers shall be peace, and our exactors righteousness," that things may yet go well in the land. And it is important that those in oflice, should consider, that not only docs God as chief among 23 rulers, and the judge of judges demand, but the times also, under the accumulative and converg- ing influences of the spiritual reign of Jesus Christ, demand that those vrho bear rule now be upright, temperate, exemplary, good men. The dark and gloomy reign of Atheism and Infidelity, we trust is fast passing away. The community at large, not acting under the influ- ence of party spirit, are emulous of other quali- fications in candidates for office and places of trust, than those of the bar-room politician, and curses and oaths, and coarseness of manners, are any thing but recommendations for the con- fidence of the people. True freemen sponta- neously reject the slaves of vice as their rulers, or subjected to their temporary authority, daily '* groan being burdened" with a sense of shame and degradation. The same considerations also, forcibly persuade more care on the part of the people, in the selection and nomination of can- didates for office, as well as a more eagle-eyed vigilance over the ballot box, and the qualifi. cations of those whose vote gives rulers to a free people. Let foreigners be subjected to the same rules that govern the suffrages of native citi- zens. We are Americans and desire no other name, and are willing that others should share our privileges. If we would honor and preserve our civil and religious institutions, as every possible consideration persuades, we shall be 24 American christians, and so glorify God, who has given us such an exalted birth-right — pos- sessed as we are, of all that can enlighten, elevate and ennoble man. And here let me say, that we can fulfil the duties of our high destiny as a free and christian people, only by attaining an all-pervading and eminent piety. The noblest philanthropist must be a christian. He then loves man as an immortal and account- able as well as social and intelligent being. The truest patriotism is a love of country, not only for what it is, but also for what under God, it may be able to accomplish for the w^ell-being of the entire race. And that which we should particularly bless God for, and consider as our highest privilege and glory as a nation — is our capability and opportunity to do so much for the nations of the earth, by the dissemination of religious truth, the basis of genuine liberty and republican institutions, and by our example and induence, commending the same to their prac- tical regard. And 1 am fully persuaded that powerful, widely extended and long continued revivals of religion, will do more to perpetuate our liberties and enhance our moral power, than all other causes combined. VI. — It is a mercy that in the providence of God the nation so generally sympathises in the bercavment. It shows that the great mass of the people are 25 capable of appreciating true excellence, and doing it homage. It shows too that the people are tired of strife, and sigh for peace — that they are emulous of being good citizens, patriots and christians, rather than partisans. Party spirit has lost much of that virulence that has char- acterised it in years past. And no one can doubt the importance of having all political feeling merged in a desire and effort to have the best rulers of every rank and grade, which the nation can supply without reference to party. And while our invaluable Constitution extends over us its protection, and guards our individual rights, let there be cherished an abiding spirit of subordination to law. And if something of moral results so desirable is secured, it will not be in vain that God has set the day of adversity so directly over against tlie day of our pros- perity. And may we not hope that the nation's tears of grief, like the salt with which Elisha healed the waters of Jericho, shed freely into the fountains of popular feeling, that were scarcely quiet since the recent election, will assuage, purify, sweeten and heal them, and make them fountains of life. How desirable all this is, the event which we deplore most solemnly and affectingly persuades us. We are all dying creatures. Death Avill soon bring us all where sleep the remains of our late President, into tlie silence and darkness of the tomb, where many dear to us as our own liyes, have already preceded us. Thither whole gen- erations are huiryingj as the swilt ships hasten to their destined port. The places that now know the busy multitude of earths population, will soon know them no more forever. Eyerv beating heart of the eight hundred millions of our globe will shortly be silent in death. What are things earthly ] What are thrones, crowns, princely-oinces and princely-estates 7 The gos- pel offers us more desirable honors and riches, together with an eiemity of glorified existence in the presence of God and the Lamb. Let us accept through faith the inestimable boon, and so beyond the grave rise to life and immortal glorv — A?:sN. 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