1793] REV. WILLIAM SMITH, D. D. 395 



cation of our Saviour's doctrine, preaching repentance, upon the pun- 

 ishment of the Galileans and others,* may be allowed here. 



"'Suppose ye,' says our Lord, 'that those Galileans, whose blood 

 Pilate mingled with their sacrifices, were sinners above all the Galileans, 

 because they suffered such things? I tell you, Nay; but except ye 

 repent, ye shall all likewise perish. Or those eighteen upon whom the 

 Tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners 

 above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, Nay; but except 

 ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish." 



Thus warranted by the preaching and doctrine of the great Author 

 of our salvation, to consider particular punishments as general warnings, 

 the remainder of my discourse will be addressed to the whole body of 

 citizens, rulers as well as people, in these United States. And to this 

 I consider myself as more especially called, being honored with an 

 audience so numerous and respectable, among whom I behold the 

 Father of these United States, and many other characters of the first 

 impression, Avhose exemplary virtue and piety must strike deep into the 

 future prosperity and glory of our rising American empire — an empire 

 which, under the protection and favor of divine Providence, has laid the 

 foundation of all that can adorn and dignify man in the present world, 

 and guide him forward in preparations for the acquisition and enjoy- 

 ment of glory, honor and immortality in a world to come ! 



The preacher now applies the teachings which the Scriptural 

 history of the Jewish nation gives as to our own country. And, 

 heaven knows, if my ancestor's remarks were applicable to the 

 United States in the apostolic days of Washington, one thousand 

 times more applicable are they in these licentious and degraded 

 times ! 



Keeping in view, therefore, the history of the people of Israel, and 

 taking up the parallel between God's providence and dealing with re- 

 spect to them and ourselves, I may be allowed to recall to your mind 

 those times when our ancestors were but a small people in this land ; 

 how the Almighty smoothed their passage to it through the dangers of 

 the stormy ocean ; how he planted and supported them in a wilderness, 

 and made the savage beasts, and men more savage than they, who were 

 able in a moment to destroy them, to become their friends ; command- 

 ing the solitary places to be glad around them, and the desert to rejoice 

 and blossom as the rose. 



I might describe to you the progress of their civilization and happi- 

 ness, and show, that having brought the pure Word of God in their 

 hand, the legacy of the Gospel of Christ as their chief riches, they were 



* Luke xiii. 1-5. 



