6 3 i ADDRESS TO THE PEOPLE 



is become almoft infupportable, it would be in vain, 

 whatever may be faid on the contrary, to prefcribe 

 what are ufually called fpiritual comforts. A mind 

 overwhelmed with afflictions, too great for human 

 nature to fuftain, and without the hope of feeing 

 better times, is incapable of thofe fenfations which 

 reflection and contemplation affords, in the days of 

 cafe, health or profperity. 



Yet hope ought not to be totally precluded. Na- 

 tions, as well as individuals, arc often reduced, by a 

 concurrence of circumftances, to apparent, and leem- 

 :ngly irretrievable ruin j but it is evident, that this 

 humiliating (late frequently proves the termination 

 of their difficulties ; that after fuch a day, or 

 year, their diftrefles gradually vanifh. Heaven, the 

 difpenfer of all things, prepares a train of circum- 

 ftanccs, all co-operating in their favour, and which 

 lead infallibly to the vertical point, preicribed by 

 Pivine wifdom. 



The lofs of America, which in fome refpects 

 is a national misfortune, will, in others, prove a 

 national benefit, by difpofmg the public to look 

 towards a country, which, in days of great profpc. 

 rity, was totally difregarded. Secondary circum- 

 ftances, as the famine in 1782, may alfo contribute 

 to enforce and haften this defirable work ; nor 

 (hould the diftrefles of your countrymen on the coaft of 

 Ireland, though at a favourable feafon, pafs unno- 

 ticed s their determined refolution, after thefe dif- 

 afters, to hazard another voyage, affords the cleareft 

 evidence that the country requires relief. 



In order to ftrengthen your faith in what is likely 

 to happen, let me call to your remembrance the 

 following events, which have actually taken place 

 during thefe laft j years, viz. 



1 . '1 he liberty to refumc the drefs of your an- 

 reftors. 



2. The n fl oration of the forfeited eftates, which, 

 though tht benefits extend to a few individuals only, 



fhewj 



