Profeffor WiLLiAMs on Earthquakes. jit 
of fuch a fteady courfe of virtue, as leads to an habitual truft 
in his providence and protection. Such unufual and great events 
will powerfully awaken their attention to mora/s, and thus pro- 
mote the advantage, although it may [occafion lofs and terror 
to mankind. 
To pretend to be above fear, or to attempt to be unmoved 
with fuch concuffions of nature, would argue, on the one hand, 
a folly or a pride unworthy a philofophic mind: and on the 
other, to give way at every fuch event, to fuch confufion of 
thoughts and paffions, as leaves no command over the mind, is 
a weaknefs as much as poffible to be avoided. Of this we may 
at all times be certain,—the prefent frame of nature will fub- 
fift fo long as Infinite Wifdom and Goodnefs fee it to be fit — 
And no event will ever take place in the natural world, which 
was not forefeen by him who is the AUTHOR or NATURE, 
and defigned to anfwer fome wife and benevolent purpofe. Of 
his favour mortals may be fure, fo long as they maintain a fteady 
regard to the rules of virtue. This will always be ig scu 
of fafety and happinefs ; though the immediate effe& of the | - 
prefent convulfions of nature, will probably be as the poet Bri * 
Terra tremit : fugére frre, et mortalia corda 
Per gentes humilis ftravit pavor. 
