IMAGE EVALUATION 
 TEST TARGET (MT-3) 
 
 A 
 
 
 /. 
 
 tA 
 
 & 
 ^ 
 
 1.0 
 
 I.I 
 
 1^1 2^ 
 
 |£0 
 
 ^ 124 
 
 Kt la 
 
 u 
 
 lifi 
 
 IL25 III 1.4 
 
 2.5 
 22 
 
 2.0 
 
 IIIIIM 
 
 1.6 
 
 * 
 
 V] 
 
 
 o^ 
 
 :^^ jj-' 
 
 V 
 
 % ^ 
 
 o^: 
 
 /A 
 
 HiotDgraphic 
 
 Sciences 
 Corporation 
 
 23 WEST MAIN STREET 
 
 WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 
 
 (716) 873-4503 
 
 iV 
 
 qv 
 
 '^ 
 
 \ 
 
 \ 
 
 ^9)' 
 
 >. 
 
 ^. 
 
 CV 
 
 •^^ 
 
 
 ^ 
 

 t/j 
 
 CIHM 
 Microfiche 
 Series 
 (Monographs) 
 
 ICMH 
 
 Collection de 
 microfiches 
 (monographles) 
 
 Canadian Institute for Historical Microreproductions / Institut Canadian de microreproductions historiques 
 
Technical and Bibliographic Notes / Notes techniques et bibliographiques 
 
 The Institute has attempted to obtain the best original 
 copy available for filming. Features of this copy which 
 may be bibliographically unique, which may alter any 
 of the images in the reproduction, or which may 
 significantly change the usual method of filming, are 
 checked below. 
 
 □ Coloured covers/ 
 Couverture de couleur 
 
 
 Covers damaged/ 
 Couverture endommagee 
 
 Covers restored and/or laminated/ 
 Couverture restauree et/ou pellicule^ 
 
 □ Cover title missing/ 
 Le 
 
 D 
 D 
 
 n 
 
 titre de couverture manque 
 
 Coloured maps/ 
 
 Caites geographiques en couleur 
 
 Coloured ink (i.e. other than blue or black)/ 
 Encre de couleur (i.e. autre que bleue ou noire) 
 
 Coloured plates and/or illustrations/ 
 Planches et/ou illustrations en couleur 
 
 □ Bound with other material/ 
 Reiie avec d'autres documents 
 
 D 
 
 D 
 
 D 
 
 Tight binding may cause shadows or distortion 
 along in erior margin/ 
 
 La reliure serree peut causer de I'ombre ou de la 
 distorsion le long de la marge interieure 
 
 Blank leaves added during restoration may appear 
 within the text. Whenever possible, these have 
 been omitted from filming/ 
 II se peut que certaines pages blanches ajouties 
 lors d'une restauration apparaissent dans le texte, 
 mais, lorsque cela etait possible, ces pages n'ont 
 pas ete filmees. 
 
 Additional comments:/ 
 Commentaires supplementaires: 
 
 L'lnstitut a microfilm^ le meilleur exemplaire qu'il 
 lui a ete possible de se procurer. Les details de cet 
 exemplaire qui sont peut-itre uniques du point de vue 
 bibliographique, qui peuvent modifier une image 
 reproduite, ou qui peuvent exiger une modification 
 dans la methode normale de f ilmage sont indiques 
 ci-dessous. 
 
 □ Coloured pages/ 
 Pages de couleur 
 
 □ Pages damaged/ 
 Pages endommagees 
 
 □ Pages restored and/or laminated/ 
 Pages restaure<!s et/ou pellicul6es 
 
 Pages discoloured, stained or foxed/ 
 Pages decolorees, tachetees ou piquees 
 
 Pages detached/ 
 Pages detachees 
 
 Showthrough/ 
 Transparence 
 
 □ Quality of print varies/ 
 Qualite inegale de I'impres* 
 
 impresfion 
 
 □ Continuous pagination/ 
 Pagination continue 
 
 □ Includes index(es)/ 
 Comprend un (des) i 
 
 ndex 
 
 Title on header taken from:/ 
 Le titre de Ten-tfite provient: 
 
 □ Title page of issue/ 
 Page de titre de la li 
 
 vraison 
 
 □ Caption of issue/ 
 Titre de depart de la livraison 
 
 I I Masthead/ 
 
 Generique (periodiques) de la livraison 
 
 This Item is filmed at the reduction ratio checked below/ 
 
 Ce document est filme au taux de reduction indique ci-dessous. 
 
 10X 
 
 1^ V 
 
 
 
 
 
 ISA 
 
 
 
 
 ISX 
 
 
 
 22 y 
 
 
 
 
 26 X 
 
 
 
 
 30X 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 12X 
 
 
 
 
 16X 
 
 
 
 
 20X 
 
 
 
 24X 
 
 
 ^^am^aA 
 
 
 28X 
 
 
 
 □ 
 
 Z2X 
 
)u'il 
 
 cet 
 
 de vue 
 
 le 
 
 it>on 
 
 Jes 
 
 The copy filmed here has been reproduced thanks 
 to the generosity of: 
 
 Department of Rare Books 
 and Special Collections, 
 McGill University, Montreal. 
 
 The images appearing here are the best quality 
 possible considering the condition and legibility 
 of the original copy and In keeping with the 
 filming contract specifications. 
 
 Original copies In printed paper covers are filmed 
 beginning with the front cover and ending on 
 the last page with a printed or illustrated impres- 
 sion, or the back cover when appropriate. All 
 other original copies are filmed beginning on the 
 first page with a printed or illustrated impres- 
 sion, and ending on the last page with a printed 
 or illustrated impression. 
 
 The last recorded frame on each microfiche 
 shall contain the symbol —^^^l meaning "CON- 
 TINUED"), or the symbol V (meaning "END"), 
 whichever applies. 
 
 Maps, plates, charts, etc., may be filmed at 
 different reduction ratios. Those too large to be 
 entirely included in one exposure are filmed 
 beginning in the upper left hand corner, left to 
 right and top to bottom, as many frames as 
 required. The following diagrams illustrate the 
 method: 
 
 L'exemplaire fiimA fut reproduit grice ^ la 
 gAnirositA de: 
 
 Department of Rare Books 
 and Special Collections, 
 McGill University, Montreal. 
 
 Lea images suivantes ont «t« reproduitas avec le 
 plus grand soin, compta tenu de la condition at 
 do la nettet* de l'exemplaire film*, at en 
 conformity avec lea conditions du contrat de 
 ffimage. 
 
 Lea exemplaires originaux dont la couverture en 
 papier eat imprim«e sont film^s en commenpant 
 par le premier plat at en terminant soit par la 
 dernlAre page qui comporte une smpreinte 
 d'Impression ou d'illustration, soit par le second 
 plat, selon le caa. Tous lea autres sxempiaires 
 originaux sont film^s en commenpant par la 
 premiere page qui comporte une empreinte 
 d'impresaion ou d'illustration at en terminant par 
 la derniire page qui comporte une telle 
 empreinte. 
 
 Un des symboles suivants apparaitra sur la 
 demiire image de cheque microfiche, selon le 
 caa: le symbole — » signifie "A SUIVRE" le 
 aymbole V signifie "FIN", 
 
 Lea cartes, planches, tableaux, etc., peuvent Stre 
 fllmte i dee taux de rMuction diffirents. 
 Lorsque le document est trop grand pour itre 
 reproduit en un seul clich«, il est film« i partir 
 da Tangle sup^rieur gauche, de gauche d droite, 
 et da haut en baa, en prenant la nombre 
 d'images n^essaire. Las diagrammes suivants 
 illuatrent la m^thodo. 
 
 22% 
 
 1 2 3 
 
 4 5 6 
 
SERMON 
 
 OCCASIONED BY THE 
 
 BURNING OF THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH 
 
 IN THE PARISH Or 
 
 GRAND MANAN, N. B. 
 
 PREACHED BY THE 
 
 IBS-^o ^(DUSS" mW^^Q iio T2Jo 
 
 RECTOR, 
 AND MISSIONARY OF THE SOCIETY FOR THE 
 
 PnoPOOATION OF 
 
 THE GOSPEL IN FOREIGN. PARTS. 
 
 NEW-BRUNSWICK. 
 1841 
 
 > 
 
[The Author publishes the following Discourse with a perfect consciousness 
 of its many defects, and its entire want of merit as a literary composition — hut is 
 induced to oiler it to tlic favourable consideration of the public, with the hope 
 that it may obtain circulation, when the motives for its publication are made 
 known, which arc, to assist by the proceeds of its sale, in liquidating the debts, 
 and in '"urnishins the new Church at Grand Manan, which the inhabitants of the 
 island are unable to do, having already contributed to the extent of their hmited 
 means. 
 
 The Author considers it necessary to apologize for having allowed so much 
 that is merely of iocal interest, to remain in the sermon, — but, as many of the 
 circumstances connected with the event which caused its production have, and may 
 be misrepresented, he considers it requisite to publish it without any material 
 alteration.] 
 
 Grand Manan, March 1S41. 
 
CHURCH I31JKNT. 
 
 The fullowing is a slatcment nf ihe proccedinffs arising- from 
 the burning of tJie Episcopal Church at Grand Manna. 
 
 Grand Manna, Oct. 17. 1839. 
 
 In consequence of the destiuclion of the Church in this Pa- 
 rish by fire, divine service was performed on the I3i.h inst, at the 
 Grand Harhour, on tiie loth at the Northern Head, and on the 
 16ih at Seal (Jove. Some a|)|)ro|)riale reniari^s were made by 
 persons resiihntr in dillerent sections of the Island expressive of 
 their own feelinj^s and those of their neighljours, as far as came 
 within their knowleiijfe, with re^^ard to the calamitous event 
 wliich brought them together. Tiie following was at each meet- 
 ing, heartly and unanimously adopted, as the expression of their 
 feelings. 
 
 " Whereas on the night of Wednesday the 9th of this month 
 at about 12 o'clock, the whole interior of St. Paul's Church in 
 this Parish was discovered to be in flames, which in about one 
 hour consumed the building ; and whereas certain attending cir- 
 cumstances, (particularly the suspending in front of the Church, 
 from a triangle, a figure, in which was found a paper, contain- 
 ing language which betokens premeditated malevolence and 
 hostility against the Bishop of the Diocese, against the Rector 
 of this Parisii in particular, and four other persons of this Coun- 
 ty,) prove it to be tiie work of a sacrilegious incendiary. It is 
 the feeling and opinion of the Wardens and Vestry, and of thig 
 assembly unanimously, that the perfect peace, unanimity, and 
 good feeling that have prevailed among the friends of the Church 
 since its attempted destruction by fire at Easter 1838 ; and the 
 increasing regularity in the attendance on its services, and the 
 confidential, friendly, and kind feelings that have been manifested 
 between people and pastor, (being so universal as to confine the 
 exceptions to some solitary individuals.) prove that the burning 
 of the Church with the attrociously aggravated circumstances 
 attending it, is by no means to be considered a demonstration of 
 the feeling of this Parish, but on the contrary the expressions of 
 of unqualified abhnrence of the deed and m |)crpetrator3, (with 
 the utter inability to identify them at present, are so universal, as 
 
IV 
 
 to limit tlie approvers, the abettors, and the instruments of thid 
 ahnost unlieard of wickedness to some few, wlio arc either devoid 
 of any religious principles, arul are liierefore tiie opposcrs of all 
 good, who are actuated hy the grossest selfishness, or by some 
 malevolent or vindiclivc feclinirsof a personal nature. Anil al- 
 though the profane and sacrilegious iiand may have aimed its 
 blow at the destruction of the Church establishment, and the re- 
 moval of its minister, it is the earnest wish of us all, and we are 
 confident the almost universally prevailing feeling, that the de- 
 signs of these 'workers of iniquity may prove completely unsuc- 
 cessful, and that God of his infinite goodness, will turn their 
 hearts and bring them to true repentance. And while we im- 
 plore the sympathy of our christian brethren everywhere, we beg 
 them to unite with us in devout prayers, that the 'disposer of all 
 events,' who has permitted us to be so grievioiisly visited, will be 
 favourable unto us, and prosper us, that we may have strength 
 to rebuild ' the waste places of our Zion,' that we may worship 
 there ' in spirit and in truth,' and have beauty for ashes, the oil 
 of joy for mourning, and the garment of praise for the spirit of 
 heaviness." 
 
 A list was attached to the foregoing containing the names of 
 the Wardens and Vestry, fourteen in number, with 124 others. 
 
 With the church wcre consumed the gown, surplice, books, 
 and pall. Within the week, the offerings of female friends, 
 amounting to nearly thirteen pounds, were presented to the 
 minister for the purpose of replacing his gown and surplice. And 
 ere the ashes of the ruined church were scarcely cold, a subscrip- 
 tion paper was opened for the erection of a new church, which 
 within three days embraced 125 names, amounting to over 26U/. 
 freely oHered (exclusive of several who were absent.) 
 
 And the last, and not least interesting circumstance, showing 
 the zeal, earnestness, and warm feeling which this most deplo- 
 rable event has produced among all descriptions of persons in 
 this Parish, was the presenting a subscription list from forty Sab- 
 bath-school children, with their collection, amounting to about 
 twenty shillings. 
 
 JOHN DUNN, Rector, 
 PHILIP NRWTON, ; „ , 
 THOS. REDMOND, ^ ^^^'''dens. 
 
SERMON. 
 
 " Hear yc the roil ami who Imtli iipiioiiitiil it." — .Miciili cli. vi., [nirt of v. 9 
 
 I 
 
 My Brethren, the feehnjrs wliich I have experienced within 
 the last three daya completely batlle my powers of description, 
 and if tliey slioiild this morniiii? obtain the nmstery over nie, I 
 must crave your indulgence, beiriring you to remember, that, in- 
 dependant of the confusion and alarm tiiat have surromuled me, 
 and the extremely painful feulings with wiiich I am still alFected, 
 I stand before you, under circumstances so highly aggravated in 
 their nature, that I believe the record of the (Christian Church 
 furnishes but few, and in this country no |)aralel. 
 
 It shall be my first object to draw your attention in some de- 
 gree to the instructions of the text, adding such remarks and re- 
 flections, by way of ap|)lication,as our circumstances call for, and 
 my situation has allowed me to prepare. 
 
 Alarming and solemn was the complaint which the prophet 
 Jeremiah once made to God against the Israelites. '•OLoiin, 
 thou hast stricken them, but tliey have not grieved, thou hast 
 consumed them, but they have refused to receive correction, they 
 have made their faces harder than a rock." 
 
 This is a picture of extreme hardness of heart, perverseness 
 and rebellion against the Almighty; selfishness, some imagi- 
 nary pleasure, or unholy gratification are the sources of all \'"-j 
 and crime, and such as are actuated by these base motives .a 
 scarcely be restrained, excepting by Divine Judgments. 
 
 The most eirectual means for producing that recollection so es- 
 sential in nlakirig us wise and considerate, humble and depend- 
 ant, is adversity ! Why should mortal man delight his heart 
 with selfishness ? Why should he become the slave of pride and 
 ambition, and boast himself against Gon, when all aroimd him 
 tends to prove his weakness and impotency, and the uncertainty 
 of his existence? When alarmed by the apprehension of a Su- 
 preme Judge, and sensible of the weight of his displeasure, what 
 resource has the sinner but humility, repentance, and a|)plication 
 for God's gracious favor, through the merits of ( imrsT ? When, 
 therefore, adversity is unavailing, and the kind warnings of Di- 
 vine goodness, and tlie severe strokes of God's displeasure are 
 
6 
 
 alike (lisrefjardcd, and llie sinnprs obstinacy is proof ngainst dis- 
 ease, accidents and niortalitj^, wliat resource remains for liis con- 
 version 7 
 
 'J\) lliis dej^ren of liardiie^^s tiie Jews are paid to have l)nconie 
 subject, "tiiey bad made (boir faces bardcr iban a rock," and 
 does ibis disniiil pictnre my bearer.--, oxliiliit our cbaractcr ? Have 
 our lives and convcrsatiuHs, bas our niisappbciuioii of God's 
 long suH'erinif and blessiii<rs laid us under similar iiiipiUaiions? 
 Gon forbid ! IJul let us not deceive ourselves, CJon cannot be 
 mocked, let us tberefore pray Ilim "to st'arcb, try, and (.'xamiiie 
 us, wbetiier tbere bo any wicked way in us, and implore Him to 
 lead us in tbe way everlastiuuf." 
 
 We k;iow certainly, and feeliutily tliat some of tbe Propbet's 
 words are applicable to us. '■ O Loud tbou bast stricken tbem," 
 are not tbese words accom[)lislied in us'/ ^Ve are under tbe 
 hand of Divine Providence, is it His avensiiiiiif and punisbinjr 
 band, is it tbe visitation of bis judgment upon our sins, our 
 lukewarnmess and our backsliding/ Or is it a warning to flee 
 from greater evils to come ? " O Loan tbou bast stricken tbem," 
 has come to pass — init I trust it cannot be said that tbe remain- 
 der of tbe Propbet's words are accomplisbed, " tbey bave not 
 grieved." — No brethren, whilst I may apply tbe strong language 
 "blackness of darkneps," to tbe de|)raviiy, hardness of heart, im- 
 penitence and tbe inilillerent or gratified spirit of a few among 
 us, the Lotiu be praised, sighs of regret, tears of sorrow, and ex- 
 clamations of honor testily that you bave grieved over tbe ashes, 
 and smoking ruins of our temple, " where prayer was wont to be 
 made," and over the abominations wrought among us ; but 
 after all this abundant manifestation of our feelings, let us search 
 diligently, have we no [)art at all in this reproach ' Have we felt, 
 and viewed aright, and as we ougbt, this calamity with which 
 we are visited l Come then fellow simiers and fellow sulTerers, 
 lend me your attention, learn of tbe Prophet, hearken to tbe 
 voice, the voice of the " living God, strong and mighty, who 
 lighteneth the voice of His judgments with Ikimes of fire' — 
 " Hear ye the rod, and Him who bath appointed it." 
 
 What should be our feelings, our recjuests and our resolutions, 
 on hearing this voice 1 Have we made so unprofitable a use of 
 God's mercies, as to render the rod of bis correction essential 1 
 
 But Lord, visit us as to thine infinite wisdom may seem ne- 
 cessary, for bringing us to repentance unto life, so speak, so teach, 
 that we may hear, obey, and become wise unto salvation, speak 
 Lord, and thy servants will bear thy voice, will bear " tbe rod, 
 and Him who hath appointed it." O let us not harden our 
 hearts against the strokes which have already fallen upon us, 
 nor let our minds be overcome with gloom and dejection, let the 
 
privation of goo(\ and jrracions privilcjrps once enjoyed, never 
 render us careless or forjjetfid of the Ijlessinps which are still 
 voiichsafi'd nnto lis, sncii depicssion iinfilrf ns for heariiisr ihe re- 
 ver.«-«'a of life, and is iiii,nuiiiuilc to (Jon, "wiioiiilhtr nudsl of 
 wrath remembers mercy," and who never so far atllicis, as to 
 deprive ns of, tir lolally darken the pr()s|)cctH of rcviviiiir hope. 
 
 And wlietiier (ioD a'.llict his cKfatnres in love, or in wrath, 
 whether he afllicl ihem for in^itriiction, or for correction, our firsit 
 duly under the rod is to become seiisil)le of his justice, and that 
 He willeth our j^ood ! Is it the trial of our resignation '! Let the 
 answer of our hearts he, "Goo is the dir-poser and ruler of all 
 events, O Guu, thy will be done, not mine, I was dumb and 
 opened not my mouth, becaus^e it was thy doii)fj." Js it the trial 
 of our love/ "If in this life only we have hope in Christ, 
 we are of all men most miserable ;" and with Jol), " O Con, 
 though thou slay me, yet will I trust in thee." Does God wish 
 to wean us from this world 1 then He convinces us of the un- 
 certainty and the unsatisfactory nature of all things earthly, that 
 we may learn to place our hopes on the world to come, and not 
 chain them down to "this valley of tears." And does God 
 visit us with adversity, that we may be awakei»ed to the enor- 
 mity of vice? In this we cannot doubt the justice and goodness 
 of pur Heavenly Father. Well for us, if the chastisement of this 
 world be the means of preventing our being condemned with 
 the world. — Well for us in this life we are made sensible of the 
 deformities and horrors of those vices and crimes, which our ap- 
 petites and passions have painted up in such bright and enticing 
 colors ; and viewing their consequences, let us ask ourselves the 
 question which St. Paul put to tlie Romans, " what fruits have 
 ye in those things whereof you are now ashamed '. for the end 
 of those things is death." Consciousness of sin is the state of 
 mind ihatthe rod of adversity is intended to pioduce, and let this 
 be the result and effect with us; if we see wickedness in our 
 neighbors, let it serve as a warning to ns, if we delect any way 
 of allowed sin in otirselves, let us cast it out, let uu 'nrn from the 
 evil of our ways, and give -ligence to perfect holiness in the fear 
 of God. 
 
 In the second place this rod of the Almighty should lead U3 
 to enquire into the causes and uses of our afflictions. Although 
 the dispensations of our Heavenly Father are full of justice and 
 mercy, wisdom and benevolence, yet we should not forget that 
 usually the doings of our Heavenly Father are involved in 
 darkness and mystery, and we should form our judgment of 
 goodness and depravity, not so much from the outward success 
 or reverses sent from God, as from the obedience or neglect of 
 
8 
 
 His commandments— And we should not cavil or express surprise 
 when the rightoous and wicked share indiscriniinatcly in the 
 comfoilH and tntiihlos, and in the floods and ills of this life, and 
 siioiild feel conlidcMit "that (Jod makes all things work together 
 fur good lo tliiMu who love anil ol)ey llini."' 
 
 A solemn considtMatiun for such as arc in trouble is, that their 
 present (li>lrt!ss m:iy he the forerunner of greater, when instead 
 of hecoming himihled and pi.-nitenl, (Joi.'.s warnings are un- 
 heeded, and the heart is siill iiardened in sin and unbelief. 
 
 Thus was it at one period with the Jawfi. " The Loud Gon 
 of their fathers sent unto them l)y His messengers rising up by 
 times and sending, because lie had compassion on his^people; 
 but they mocked the messengers of God, they despised his word', 
 and misused his prophets, until the wrath of the Loan arose 
 against his people, so that there was no remedy."' This division 
 of siil>ject l)rethren, deserves our most sincere and faithful exami- 
 nation ; like the plagues of Egypt, our calamities inay be mul- 
 tiplied in nuu'.ber, and increased in severity. What then are our 
 present feelings ? What the state of om- minds .' Our trouble 
 must be viewed as a messenger of the Lohd, designing to open 
 our eyes tc see the effects of His favor and displeasure, and the 
 necessity of om- iL-eing from the wrath to come, by faith, repen- 
 tance and reformation. Do you listen to icproof and improve 
 from correction ? Or do you suit the character that David de- 
 scribes "as hating instruction." Oh ponder seriously those strik- 
 ing words recorded in the 2(jlh chapter of Leviticus, " If ye will 
 not hearken unto me, but walk contrary unto n)e, then I will 
 \yalk contrary also unto you in fury. And I, even I, will chas- 
 tise you seven times for your sins," and in subsequent verses it is 
 added, " If ye walk contrary to me, I will bring seven times 
 more plagues upon you according to your sins, and I will mako 
 your cities waste, and bring your sanctuary unto desolation." 
 
 Is threat put in execution against us'/ Do our sins and oppo- 
 sition to God deniand it .' Are questions which deserve the most 
 heartfelt and searching examination, if you fmd any evil way 
 indulged, if you discover any sin unrepenied, and nature yet un- 
 subdued, beware of permitting your hearts to be yet more hard- 
 ened, but " let the unrighteous 'man forsake his ways, and the 
 evil man his thoughts, and let all return to that Gon who will 
 (through ('nil 1ST) have mercy, and who will abundantly par- 
 don ;" return ye now every one from the evil of your doings, and 
 ainend your ways. 
 
 O thitdv of the extreme obduracy and persevering wickedness • 
 and weigh the consequences of replying either verbally, or prac- 
 tically " we will walk after our own devices, and we will every 
 one do after tlie imagination of our own hearts," 
 
 \ 
 
 ■i^> 
 
■Jt^ 
 
 
 
 If time permitted, this subject miglit be enlarged upon, botli 
 for instructioa and odincation, but we must iiasteii to the appli- 
 cation. 
 
 And what can I say ? Wiiat need I say ? Your eyes beliohl, 
 a deed lias been done, brethren, at onr very doors, before ourcyt^s, 
 at the bare hearinj,' of which, the iieart ui every ( "Inisiian man 
 and woman must sink within tlicm ; a deed (llie si<rht of wiiich 
 in tlie hour of mi(hiiir|it darkness, was terrific and appalMng be- 
 yond description, whicL none can fully imafrine but ihose^wlio 
 helield tiiat devourin-,' Ikinie which completely filled those conse- 
 crated walls, who saw those naked beams, and watched that 
 tower whole and unscorched, slowly and solemly inclining-, and 
 sealing through the rafters into the furnace kindled for Us re- 
 ception by the sacralegious hand of man. Truly it fell as if it 
 were saying to its destroyer, who might have been still within 
 sight of it, " look at me, behold me falling, and let it never be 
 effaced from your vision, let it descend with you to your grave, 
 and rise with you to judgement." A deed has ban done, what 
 shall we call it? Against whom has tlu; on'encebeen committed' 
 Against the living Goo ? the Creator and ruler of the heavens and 
 the earth, the witness of all deeds open and secret, against llim 
 the arm has been uplifted, against the majesty and sirenglh of 
 heaven the attack has been made ! The Goo whom Christians 
 worship has been insulted and |;rofaned. And O awful conside- 
 ration, at the thought of which the Christian's heart must trem- 
 ble, has that daring, that profane and depraved beiuir, who either 
 committed, or was accessrry to that act, ever mocked the Goi> 
 of heaven by joining in worship within the walls of that sanc- 
 tuary, or by kneeling in adoration to the " searcher of hearts ;" 
 has the assembly of Christians ever been polluted hv that wretch- 
 ed man? and, O thought still more fearful and alarming, is he 
 anions ns ? Is that hardened man who neither fears Gon, or 
 regards man now composing a part of this cringregation." If 
 he is within the sound of my voice, surely he must possess the 
 spirit of a fiend, else his blood must chill in his veins. O Gorj 
 forbid, my Christian hearers, that ourselves, our families and our 
 beloved sanctuary should have ever been within the influence of 
 such a pestilence. 
 
 Against whom next in order has this deed of darkness been 
 committed ; against the ministers— messengers of the gospel of 
 our Lord Jesus Ch hist, who expressly declares that our con- 
 duct towards them is viewed in the same light as if towards 
 himself; this act has been committed against us all personally, 
 against our children, against the cause of religion, truth and god- 
 liness, against the peace and welfare of society, in a word, against 
 
10 
 
 >v i.ose s me (icMo„ / Who made the preparations ? Who niif 
 en nno execution ? The.e c,„e.tions'nKiy ha/lle m.r p ne.'^^a 
 on, our very iM.agM.atiun, but there i. <.uo that k. owe h aU 
 tlun^ to wlnnn U.e darlcne. is as the h,ht, .ho can '::;r 'm 
 .uJ ZL ,^ '': !^^" &''Jll^ '";"'< "Po.. hiu« whereby he 
 
 cu 
 
 may be known, his deec 
 
 H slia!! follow liini- 
 
 ipon hnii where!)y 
 
 per-on the earti. 7 Dultharmau'e;:; ^^r ll:;!! SH^ C 
 agan.st Gon, a^^ainst the Church, His .nini^ie,-. an his m^^^^ 
 But even should he escape the.judgn.ent of s 1 , ^tv 
 judgment wdl be .neeted tn.to hinraccording to Is eels And 
 is U to be supposed, that if in.penitent, the V-' «^^^ 
 crtn.e, with .ts aggravating circmnstances, w II les end to tie 
 grave and be gathered to their flithers in peace '^'' 
 
 IJut my Christian hearers, while we entertain the utmost ab 
 orenco of the deed, and while we look upon the Fernet m 
 tors as far, very far gone in depravity, as in fact Inf.dl or Athp 
 ists, without Gon in the world; Jet "us not for^ 1;;. W 
 
 .mmortal souls, and they are ecpially with.oursel e t e'cb ects 
 of Christ s redemption, let ns therefore every one of uff 
 ^oin ha,b.rmg any malice against them, de/o.U^ pray fo 
 Go s glory, that they ,nay see the evil of their ways, be u/u-xh 
 by the power of saving grace, to heartfelt conviction, to epen 
 
 An. whilst our properties, and possibly our lives may be in 
 danger from the same source, let uJ under a sense of tl.^. poue 
 of Divine protection, fear no evil, but go onwards in tl e pcail of 
 duty uyhe strength of the Louo, putling our t lu in H n, 
 whilst obeying J is commands through fai?!, in Chh st We 
 aie doing Ins work, lie is able to save and defend us in III dan 
 gers; fearing Gon, rather than man, we can safe ; la -e heTe." 
 suit o Div.ue control. And especially let us dili/entlv en m re 
 whether we cannot trace the hand of omnipotent me /and' , ! 
 lice, m our piesent distress ? It may be a just judgment m on t'e 
 ins and de icencies of both people and niimstefs, a d hetl r 
 ?romit '"' ^"terpositioa much good nmy not iSult 
 
 Are we deprived of a sanctuary because we did not sufficient 
 y value It, because we were insensible of its ^Ivantagel a"d 
 blessings? Because we were not duly grateful? And Sciallv 
 because some were so regardless of its worship, ami so Se U 
 m en ermg ,ts courts, and paying their vows' in the piSe " 
 Gods people? Is it because so many are unmindful nf.ll 
 sanctity of the Sabbaths and forget to h'lb v t" , ' b 
 
 cause so many are careless of the rehgious instruc ion of hei 
 children and families and because some' profand its altar S 
 
11 
 
 the incense of imliallowed fire, and with the mockino- of heart- 
 less and hypocritical worship ? Hecanse they entered his courts 
 and ''professed Him with their lips, while their hearts were far 
 Irotn Him V Or are v.e thus severely visited, l)ecnti>-e of the un- 
 woithiiieHs, the want of zeal and many ddicicncics of him 
 who has led your devotions and iiiiiiisiered to vou in holy thin-rs'? 
 1 lie Loan knows you are not ignorant, and I feel, in this^re- 
 spect, something was required to remove lukewarinness and to 
 excite zeal and sincerity. Now my Brethren if these shortcom- 
 ings and misdoings have m any way heen instrumental in this 
 especial visitation, let us not stop our ears, close our eyes, or har- 
 den our hearts, but " hear the rod and Him that hath 'ut it •" let 
 us take warning, and be aroused to renewed dili-rence 'd lideli- 
 ty, sincerity and holiness, that "we may in all iliiu.rs ai..-rn the 
 doctrine ol Gon our Saviour." Let us all devoutly prav that 
 It may through Divine Grace be instrumental in making us "a 
 peculiar ppople zealous of good works,'' tl-t we may come forth 
 from the fire of adversity tried and purified, improved in strentrth 
 and value, as pure gold cleansed '- i the dross. ° 
 
 My Christian brethren, what i* ..le loss we are tin's day la- 
 menting, who realizes it? Is it the loss of money, of lands, or of 
 houses ! It IS something that has a value of a (lifi'erent stamp 
 set upon It. It is the temple of the living Gon, where the Di- 
 vine presence IS promised to dwell, the sanctuary of the Lord of 
 Hosts, the consecrated place, "where prayer was wont to be 
 made, of which it was said, "come let us go up together unto 
 the house of the Lord and take sweei counsel together." The 
 temple before whose altars some have vowed their\elief in, and 
 devotion to the Father, 8on and Holy Ghost, the one God of 
 their faith, and where many have presented and offered their be- 
 loved offspring to be baptized into the same faith ; to be dedicated 
 to, and received into the arms of that beloved Saviour, who snid 
 "suffer httle children to come unto me, and forbid them not, for 
 of such is the kingdom of Heaven." 
 
 The altar before which some have (I trust in sincerity) knelt 
 to receive from the highest order of our ministry, the prayer for 
 the divine and blessed spirit to rest upon them, where they volun- 
 tarily, and J hope heartily, renewed their baptismal covenant. 
 
 The altar around which, husband and wife, parent and child, 
 the most aged man and woman in the parish have knelt 
 side by side, and I doubt not devoutly received the emblems of 
 the body and blood of their dying Saviour, have eaten and 
 drank thereof, and had their souls nourished by faith, as their 
 bodies are by food. 
 
 That desk, from which hag ascended the sacrifice of praise 
 and prayer, it is to be feared, too often from a heart languid and 
 
12 
 
 deficient in lively faitli,-but it is to be hoped, that manv nravers 
 have ascended fron. that house, as the incins; of graSu ea.'? 
 
 hen edilication regeneration and salvation. And if in some 
 
 .earts the seed has fallen on barren, or stony soil, ye 1 t mst we 
 
 have grounds for believing that in others, it has takLi root «ma ' 
 
 up and brought orth fruit. But of aii'these things Goo tif 
 
 mge, and for all these privileges and talents we shah 1 e al d 
 
 « the inost strict accotmt. And lastly, those walls, which 1 av n- 
 
 closed the mortal remainsof those near and dear 'to many olyou, 
 
 e itio T ; '? '''"''^' 'T''' ''"^ l^^^t solemn services of 
 
 religion. These brethren, are the objects which you have lost 
 which were rendered valuable and dear from viriofis assoS 
 
 t\.TT f'^r ^""^^^'^'■'V^'J to the worship of God, for the erec- 
 tion of which, many who now hear me persevered and abo ed 
 
 s ent tea. that temple with us altar, its bible, books of devotion 
 and us vestments have follen a sacrifice in the pace of oi e sho 
 hour to the sacrilei-ious incendiary ^ 
 
 And what is his character ? Is he a fiend or an enemy. AVhat 
 s his purpose and design? Was it God's glory, the peace of 
 this community, or the welfare of yourselves Ind^dnldrr.r 
 
 Is he still roaming about among usi seekino- the destrur.inn 
 of the roofs, and possibly of the lives of som 'of ^r S^ 
 ^is isan awully fearful state for any people to Lize n a 
 Chns ,an land, and are we insensible or iLdiirerem' If o^ 
 
 I mention the approvers, by whom I mean any man or woman 
 ^vho has ever professed an interest in that Church oMhat has 
 ever worshipped within its walls, every one of win pvp .'p^'"*^ 
 denomination^ ailing themsei;es cL"" m ^ i^r^^f ^;;;^ 
 those ashes wuh mdiirerence, or can make that sacile'ious deed 
 a by-word, an object of laughter and ridicule, I wo id even if 
 c de all who do not heartily abhor the crime, and the doe, wn 
 fa to express the.r regret that persons could ^xist among is ca 
 pable of such deeds of darkness, .who, to say tlie lea^tf do no 
 
 J 
 
 4JJC- 
 
13 
 
 mourn over the injury done the cause of God and of religion, 
 and the deep reproach brought upon tliis community. If we 
 enquire into the design or ol)ject of tliis act, uhoin was it to be- 
 nelit / AViioni to injiMe ? 1 can inmoine no real benelil lo ilie 
 originator, and none lo (he perpeiiator, excepting a>^ lie may liave 
 gaineu by the reward or wages of crime. 
 
 But was the blow aimed'at me? So say ilie reports which 
 come from one section of llie Parish, erroneously ai(ach.n<r to it 
 the loss of my salary. So says the languaire uf one of the in- 
 struinents or agents, expressed in a wriiien paper put iriio our 
 hands purposely to aggravate the crime, and to point out its ori- 
 gin and ol))ect. Alihoiigh the threatened loss of mv gown is 
 accomplished. It IS but temporarv, bfcau.-e it appearsihal iluoii'-h 
 the kindness and good feeling of riuisiian females, uhoaie e^er 
 most forward and ready in seasons of dislress, who were last at 
 the Saviour's cross, and first at his tomb. A single S,ii)i)aih is 
 not permitted to pass without providii.sr the means of repla.in-r 
 n wiih a better. While with (he old one, manv endeariinr a-." 
 ciations of earlier days, and of the couunencenieiit of invlninis- 
 try are connected, yet the new will have a s(ill hiober value at- 
 tached to it ; I allude to these apparenily IriHmg mailers to show 
 the existing feeling, in whom we are to repose conrKleiice. wliue 
 to look for our friends. The desf^ripiion of condi^lence an.l sv m- 
 pathy w'e are to expect (rom some is not suited to " siivn-ih,.,! 
 the feeble knees, or to lift up the liaiids that hano- down." '• It 
 19 the hour of adversity that tries om- friends." 'ji is reported 
 from the same source, that this deed of darkness will be the 
 means of extinguishing yoiirspiritnal liirht.tbat the Clmrch will 
 not be rebuilt, and the result will be my removal. It i< known 
 to many of yon, that for some reasons, I wonld have removed 
 Irom this Parish some time since could mv place have been «np- 
 plied, and many of you may remember mv declaring- from that 
 piilpit which IS now lunmht hot ashes that' I would nevvr force 
 my services upon an unwilling people, a •• living" shall never in- 
 duce me to continue in a Parish to which I mliy be unaccepta- 
 ble. ^ 
 
 i^r^i""* ^! ^ ^^"^ ^° understand the fearful transactions of last 
 Wednesday night, (never to be eflliced from vivid recollection) as 
 an expression of the feelings of the parish, either that they wish 
 me to make room for another, or that they have no further de- 
 sire for a Church, I will soon find another field for labor, there- 
 fore as respect the future, all depends upon yourselves, much de- 
 pends upon the decision of the day ; it is evident the minister 
 can accomplish but little, unless sustained, countenanced and 
 aupported oy his people. 
 And should it be made manifest, that the feelings displayed in 
 
 JUX— 
 
14 
 
 llie expression and reports, to which allusion has been made, 
 and in tlie tearful scene of the past week, are to be confined to a 
 few who must be actuated by dislike to all religion or by male- 
 volence and interested motives, or })ersonal enmity, I assure you 
 a conspiracy of such a nature, limited as I trust it is, shall with 
 God's grace never move me from my post. 
 
 Let this be the best test, if the friends of the Church will come 
 forth and separate themselves from her enemies, if they will 
 evince a greater fear and regard for Gon and religion, than for 
 mar., if they will manifest themselves worthy of a Church and 
 pastor, if they will hold up my hands, by their cheerful, sincere 
 and consistent counlenanc, by their union and earnest prayers, 
 to their Heavenly Fatukr, and by using their own exertions 
 (only to the extent of their ability) under, and with the Divine 
 blessing and co-operation, united with the sympathy and sup- 
 port I so confidently rely upon, from Christian brethren through- 
 out the country, (unless I fall myself a prey to the midnight in- 
 cendiary or assassin, and if Gou continues my health,) in twelve 
 months from the night in which the blaze and smoke of our late 
 Church ascended to the Heavens, the incense of prayer and 
 praise shall ascend from the altar of another Church to that God 
 " who givelh and who tak> tli, who ruleth in the armies of Hea- 
 ven, and amidst the children of men as seemeth to Him most 
 fitting." And brethren, look not upon this as undertaken in hu- 
 man strength, therefo.e let not sleep close your eyelids this night, 
 till you all devoutly and believingly pray for Divine grace and 
 protection, for Divine strength and direction for your unworthy 
 pastor, that his knees may be strengthened, and that his hands 
 may be supported, until it shall please the author and giver of 
 all good '-to build again the waste places of our zion." And that 
 it may please Him to raise up and continue to your pastor after 
 his own heart, that he may show unto you the way of eternal 
 life. 
 
 And never let us harbor a desponding thought, or allow a dis- 
 couraging look, l)iit let us take courage and go forth in the 
 strength of the Lord, trusting in Him, that He will bring it 
 about', have laith and pray without ceasing, working unitedly 
 and diligently. Confident that the Author of all good will bring 
 good out of this evil, " for while with one hand he pulleth down 
 with the other he raiselh up." 
 
 And whilst we should all be impressed with the spirit of the 
 deepest humility and penitence, and of heartfelt prayer forGou's 
 sanctifying grace, we should by no means yield to dejection or 
 despair, but buiKl our hopes upon the sure mercies and manifold 
 promises of Goo, and the resources wo still possess, on the right- 
 eousness of our cause, on the correct feelings we so generally ma- 
 
 -iH 
 
15 
 
 Hpnv!n' °" !^ ''^''''"^ P'^y""" ^'^^^ I ^^"^ly trust Will ascend to 
 Heaven on the purposes and resolutions of amendment of life, 
 
 A^n? h . '''^"^«^^«/^«'-^»»'P. l>y forgetfulnessor lukewarn.ness. 
 
 fokl.fn inT' ^7^'!''' 'V^ "^' '"'"'^"J'' ^'^^t ^^'« "^«y ever be 
 D^^om^lril ''^' '*' make any sacrifice to sustain truth, and 
 piomote righteousness and God's fflorv 
 
 *^ ^ * 
 
 ffPoTi" nl?;',""^ '"'.f '"■'"' ^'' '''■°"^' ^1"'' y°" J'f^'^ '^en, be coura- 
 geoug, put ye oil the armour of the Lord, remember that which 
 
 vod of'nn^"' ^''' •' V'Hy ^^'^^•"^^' '"«i"^aining conscience 
 
 nenhem n ' > I '' ^f' "' "P'"'"^'^'^ ^''« ^'"'^"^ «f ^race, with 
 penitent and believmg hearts, with vows of constancy and fidel- 
 
 it}, praying heait.iy for the peace of our communiiv, for indivi- 
 dual salvation and lor the prosperity of Christ'^ Church 
 fnr7n «", P''''^''''' ourselves before the Lord, as did David be- 
 mrdon l^^''^^'"! angel, and earnestly invoke Divine favor and 
 
 feH l;nf H ^''7 ?'"''^ occurrence, and the exercises and the 
 thlTu [^^-^^ sanclifyed to the producing of ihe hope of 
 
 the nghteous, the joy and praise of the grateful, the conviilion 
 of the impenuent, the reformation of the irreligious, the arousing 
 rnn Vn" T"";'" ;'"\^o'\^'e'«i«» of many sons and daughters to 
 sacHfi^P f H """' fT'? ^^ "^ ^"' ^'^'■«"gh the mediation and 
 Ho V SniH. " ^^h« I'veth and reigneth with the Father and 
 iloly bpint ever one God.— Amen.