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 SERMON 
 
 IN COMMEMORATION OF THE DEATH OF 
 
 REV. CHARLES T. TORREY, 
 
 IN THE MARYLAND PENITENTIARY, MAY 9, 1846. 
 
 DELIVERED AT FISHERVILLE ; AND ALSO IN THE 
 BAFTIST MEETING-HOUSE IN CONCORD, MAY 31, 184G. 
 
 BY EDMUND WORTH, 
 
 PASTOR OF THE BAPTIST CHURCH, FISHERVILLE. 
 
 PUBLISHED BY REQUEST. 
 
31 iHculm* to tl)c Svutl). 
 
 A 
 
 SERMON 
 
 IN COMMEMORATION OF THE DEATH OF 
 
 REV. CHARLES T. TGRREY, 
 
 IN THE MARYLAND PENITENTIARY, MAY 9, 1846. 
 
 DELIVERED AT FISHERVILLE; AND ALSO IN THE 
 BAPTIST MEETING-HOUSE IN CONCORD, MAY 31, 1846. 
 
 BY EDMUND WORTH, 
 
 PASTOR OF THE BAPTIST CHURCH, FISHERVILLE. 
 
 PUBLISHED BY REQUEST. 
 
E4< 
 
 ^^ 
 
SERMON. 
 
 Matt. 14 ; 3,4. For Herod had laid hold on John, and bound 
 him, and put him in prison for Herodias' sake, his brother Philip's 
 v ife. For John said unto him, it is not lawful for thee to have her. 
 
 Ever since the fall of man, there has been a conflict be- 
 tween the serpent and the seed of the woman. The war- 
 fare has been constant and sometimes severe. The great 
 antagonist principles, are truth and error. The conflict is 
 a moral one, and recognizes the outward act and the in- 
 ward emotions of the heart. 
 
 In every age of the world, God has raised up and em- 
 ployed faithful witnesses to testify to the truth and defend 
 his cause. Against these opposition has been raised; indi- 
 viduals have contended, and, not unfrequcntly, civil 
 authority has been employed to overcome and destroy. — 
 A faithful, plain and practical exhibition of the truth, is 
 what the world has never been willing to receive in a 
 candid and peaceful manner. Light is no more opposed 
 to darkness, than is truth to error — or the will of God, to 
 the inclinations of the natural heart. Consequently, when 
 these come in contact, opposition is manifested. From 
 the time of righteous Abel to the present, the faithful ser- 
 vants of God have fallen on the battle ground — shed their 
 blood in the struggle and yielded their lives in the conflict. 
 The Old Testament history goes to confirm this statement 
 — the prophets, embassadors for God and truth, were op- 
 posed, persecuted, imprisoned and put to death. In con- 
 sequence of their plainness and integrity, though men of 
 God, and singularly meek and pious, they became the ob- 
 jects of hate and the most embittered opposition. On 
 opening the New Testament, we find recorded the mar- 
 tyrdom of the first minister of the gospel. And although 
 our Savior came on a mission of mercy, and his advent 
 was heralded by an angelic choir in songs of "glory to 
 God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will to men ;" 
 though the principles of his gospel were the out-gushings 
 
I 
 
 of love, truth and righteousness, and were connected with 
 the highest good of man and the glory of God, and he 
 himself was a personification of meekness, kindness and 
 virtue — yet his gospel was reject* d, and he was slandered 
 and persecuted unto death. Though a minister of peace, 
 his mission was a moral warfare. This he intimated 
 when he said; — " Think not, that 1 am come to send peace 
 on earth; I came not to send peace, but a sword. For I 
 Mm come to set ;i man at variance against his father, and 
 the daughter againsl her mother, and the daughter-in-law 
 against her motlier-in-law." Such would not be the neces- 
 saryhwX the natural effect (if the inculcation of his gospel. 
 Had all received and ob< yed tin' truth, union and peace 
 would have followed — but, seme receiving, and others rc- 
 jectingthe truth, would cause divisions, even in the same 
 family. Christ came not to send peace by preaching 
 smooth things, encouraging men on in a course of sin — 
 but to reprove and warn ; to attack the enemy in his 
 strong holds, by wielding the mighty weapons of truth. — 
 This would be like employing the sword; the friends of 
 truth and error would enlist under their respective ban- 
 ners, marshalled for the conflict. 
 
 The Saviour also forewarned his disciples of the treat- 
 ment they should receive at the hands of their enemies. 
 He says to them just before his departure, " they shall lay 
 their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up 
 to the synagogues and into prisons, being brought before 
 kings and rulers for my name's sake. Which shall be 
 for a testimony against them." This prediction was ful- 
 filled — the apostles, us well as Christ, were charged with 
 violating the civil law ; were arraigned, imprisoned, 
 and finally put to death. John, the harbinger of Christ, 
 was shut up in prison because he advocated the truth — in- 
 culcated the principles of the gospel and declared its pro- 
 hibitions to Herod : and was afterwards put to death by 
 order of that, wicked prince. 
 
 The word of God — observation "ml experience^ show us 
 r< ry plainly that Truth produces hostility. 
 
 Not that truth has power to create opposition — hut it calls 
 it into exercise, and sets the opposer in array against 
 itself. Its exhibition and application is the occasion of 
 putting in motion and drawing out, the hidden opposition 
 of the, heart. It stirs up and aggravates — hostility fo- 
 ments and overflows in hitter enmity and ripens into vio- 
 1 nt acts of revenge. You might as well expect the ani- 
 mal td lie unmoved under the whip, or that the con- 
 nee will remain quiet and submissive under the ap- 
 plication of truth, and not attempt to resist its unwel- 
 come lashes. It is either subdued after a brief struggle, 
 
and yields to the sceptre and dominion of truth — or, resist- 
 ing, is wrought up to phrenzied madness, foams and 
 rages, and seals its own death warrant by acts of the most 
 atrocious malignity and daring wickedness. 
 
 Opposition to the truth is exhibited, 
 
 1. By refusing to submit to its claims. 
 
 There are individuals, who, by their daily course, show 
 that their hearts are opposed to the requirements of God; 
 while there are others, who, by a moral life, hide the en- 
 mity of their hearts from the world. Indeed they may be 
 ignorant of it themselves, and fancy they are the friends 
 of God. But let the opposing elements meet; let the 
 precepts of the gospel be applied, the requirements of 
 God revealed and enforced, and what a struggle ! He, who 
 thought himself free from opposition of heart, and even 
 the friend of God, now finds a war raging within. The di- 
 vine law is too strict, its penalty too severe, and unjust ; 
 and, were it in his power, he would annul the whole, and 
 change the essential features in the character and govern- 
 ment of Jehovah. 
 
 From the time of our first parents, what a practical il- 
 lustration has been furnished of the continued opposition 
 of the human mind to the principles of truth. A revolt 
 has been perpetuated down to the present time ; it is dis- 
 covered through all the ramifications of society — in heath- 
 en and christian nations, and even among the professed 
 followers of Christ. There has ever been a tendency to 
 lower down the standard of truth, to secularize its claims 
 and tarnish its glory. The will of man has been sub- 
 stituted for the authority of God, and human tradition, for 
 the rules of Christ. 
 
 Unholy influences have obtruded within the pale of the 
 church, and a worldly, time serving policy has trampled up- 
 on consecrated ground. Selfish interests and unholy am- 
 bition have mingled with the fires of the altar, and polluted 
 the sacrifices of Zion. Truth — pure unadulterated truth, 
 was committed in trust with the people of God ; they 
 were to imbibe, and cherish, and exhibit its holy and ele- 
 vating principles, to be governed by its precepts and walk 
 in its light. But where is the person, who is a living, prac- 
 tical illustration of the truth as it is in Jesus ? How few 
 among aK the sacramental host, are contending earn- 
 estly for the faith, once delivered to the saints, and who 
 maintain unsullied their christian integrity. How few 
 are seen, having on the whole armor — going forth in the 
 panoply of truth, uninfluenced by frowns or favor, or a 
 worldly expediency — undismayed by stripes, imprison- 
 ment or martyrdom. How seldom do we hear such, like 
 the great Founder of Christianity and his early followers. 
 
lifting up their voices like a trumpet against all manner of 
 sin. in i, I low places, whether among rulers 
 
 or subji to fear that bul ■;' the 
 
 religion of tin , is untrammelled and free — per- 
 
 fectly free fn ial or political i is. How 
 
 seldom is all — is every thing sacrific pletely immo- 
 
 d on the a ial truth. What timidity and 
 
 trembling — what an unwillingness to throw off every 
 shackle, d take a stand on the plat- 
 
 form of truth, which is as broad as the heavens and as 
 deep as the foundations of eternity. 
 
 ,\ Ian e at the im i Lition of the world presents a 
 
 sad of a rejection of the truth. Instead of uni- 
 
 versal holiness and purity, and loyalty 1" ' rod, and kind- 
 ness, brother) rid strict integrity towards man — \vc 
 ■ the workings of opposition to the triijh, in profanity, 
 licentiou rumselling and rum-drinking, 
 i aking, horseraeing, slavery, robbery, mun 
 ceit and dishon and all this loo in civilized, chris- 
 tian lands, to Lhing of the abominations ofheath- 
 enism, which cannot be more hateful in the sight of the 
 d. In our own la ; reat law proclaimed by the 
 everadorabl ■ ler, " all things whatsoever ye would 
 that men should do unto you, do ye even so to them," is 
 scarcely recognized in commercial intercourse; and the 
 fulfilling of il prohibited by the laws of 
 some of our . ments. To act on christian prin- 
 ciple and carry out the spirit of the gospel — doing unto 
 others as we would th Lem- 
 berin as bound with them, would forfeit 
 one' parts of this, the most free 
 and < m on the face of the whole earth ! Now 
 humiliati is not allowed to go forth 
 
 • — that they may not take the 
 field without let or liin 1 go to the conflict, each to 
 
 or fall on its own intrinsic merit. But in this country, 
 truth is not fj e are topics on which it cannot be 
 
 uttered — errors which it is not allowi L to - abat. Hence, 
 the muzzling of the press — its destruction by the mob — 
 and I ' the mails and destroying 
 
 whatever is offensive to a self made, aristocratic censor- 
 ship, dictating to : ..ilc what they may or may not 
 .: own cot Hence, the riotous 
 .: sion — the personal vi- 
 ieut — and the dreary imprisonments 
 ns! All to 
 nth: that truth which was laying bare and 
 Lhe most henious sins to the gaze of an aston- 
 shed world. The pov irkncss trembled: for one 
 
of the strongest holds of iniquity was attacked by the 
 most powerful and effectual of all weapons, tin 
 
 truth — a desperate effort must be made to shiver its glit- 
 tering blade or turn its fatal edge, and recourse is had to 
 the violence of the mob. 
 
 So it was in the days of John, of Christ, and the apos- 
 tles. Herod did not deny the truth of the allegations of 
 the Baptist, but, like a guilty man, he stops his mouth 
 with the key of the prison, and stifles the utterance of 
 truth in the silence of the dungeon. So of our Savior ; 
 the wicked world could not endure his close preaching, 
 his withering reproofs and searching appeals, and to close 
 the voice of truth, his guilty accusers employ vinegar and 
 gall, the nails, the hammer and the cross ! The same 
 spirit has ever been manifested in opposition to the claims 
 of truth. 
 
 2. Opposition to the truth is manifested in attempting 
 to support error by false reasoning. Look at the con 
 of Felix : he had no relish for the wholesome preaching of 
 his prisoner — no, in heart and life he was opposed to the 
 truth. But did he condemn Paul, or attempt to confute 
 him by sound argument; or did he yield to the claims of 
 truth? Neither, but he excused his present neglect from 
 a want of time ; and flattered his conscience to continue in 
 sin by a promise of future consideration. Both pleas 
 were in defence of a course of opposition, but they were 
 based on false premises. 
 
 Very many act as though, could the impression of 
 truth be obliterated from the mind, and the voice of con- 
 science hushed, the reality would be destroyed. That, 
 as they can persuade themselves to believe, will it prove to 
 be true in matter of fact. Hence, selfish interests and car- 
 nal desires will overpower reason, destroy the force of 
 sound argument and lead a person to believe, what at first 
 was unwelcome and revolting. Over such, sound reason- 
 ing has little influence, appeals of truth find no response 
 in the conscience, and persuation is nearly useless. 
 
 But, however subtle the sophistry, and deceptive the 
 course, by which the mind is led Co reject the truth and 
 defend error — is the truth in the least affected, or impaired 
 — by no means, for, says the apostle, " we can do nothing 
 against the truth, but for the truth." It still exists, amid 
 every opposing influence ; and let the whole world reject 
 it — that very truth would shine with increased lustre and 
 more awful grandeur, in sealing the condemnation of its 
 rejectors! Herod thought to stiile the voice of truth, and 
 his own conscience, and hide his sin by imprisoning his 
 accuser, but that very act was based on false reasoning — 
 it increased his guilt, adding false imprisonment and mur- 
 
vler, to adultery ; and gave celebrity to the enormity of his 
 crime, by publishing it, through the gospel, to all coming 
 ages. 
 
 The enemies of Christ maintained their opposition to 
 him on the pretence that he was a false teacher, and ablas- 
 phemer ; that he infringed on the laws of the government 
 and that the peace of the nation required he should die. — 
 To sustain ihese accusations, they employed false wit- 
 nesses, and accomplished their end, by falsehood. 
 
 There is American shivery! — the whole system is sus- 
 tained by false constructions. That one man has a right, 
 natural, civil, or moral, in another, is false. No man has 
 a right to ; laee himself under the abjeel control of anoth- 
 er. The veri nature and constitution of God's moral gov- 
 ernment forbids it. It is of no avail that laws are pro- 
 duced that sanction slavery — there is a law above all hu- 
 man law, the same in all time; " it is the law written by 
 the finger of God on the heart of man, and by that law, 
 unchangable and eternal, while men despise fraud, and 
 loathe rapine, and abhor blood, they will reject with in- 
 dignation, the wild phantasy, that man can hold property 
 in man." Destitute of divine authority to sustain the 
 bloody system, false reasoning is employed, penal enact- 
 ments are required, to keep the slave in ignorance, and 
 prevent his being treated as a man and a christian — stripes 
 and death are inflicted to secure submission, and enforce 
 what truth nor justice could never do. 
 
 Efforts in behalf of the oppressed in New England 
 have been opposed, on the plea that "it is a political 
 matter." And must man who feels for man — must christ- 
 ians who breathe the spirit of Christ, be compelled to 
 withhold human kindness, and prohibited from carrying 
 out the great, distinguishing principles of the gospel, be- 
 cause " it is a political matter '.'" Is the argument sound ? 
 "Was it not a "political matter" with Daniel and the three 
 Worthies when commanded to act contrary to their ob- 
 ligations to God; and did they violate christian principles 
 rather than not conform to civil enactments? Undoubt- 
 edly Herod supposed he had a right, as a prince, to regu- 
 late his " domestic institutions," and that no subject would 
 have the presumption to oppose. He assumed a false po- 
 sition. Admit his right — made legal by human authority 
 — but John in the face of all this declares, " It is not law- 
 ful for thee to have her." His civil rights gave him no 
 leave to violate the laws of God, nor did the regalia of 
 royalty screen him from the faithful rebuke of the preach- 
 er of repentance. 
 
 Civil enactments are thrown around slavery, and its op- 
 ponents are met with the plea, it is legal — protected by law 
 
and no one has a right lo attack the system. But is this 
 reasoning sound ? Can Legislative action justify a sys- 
 tem of the most abominable iniquity, remove the eruilt of 
 crime and screen the offender? Can human law inter- 
 pose between man and his obligations to God, throw off 
 moral responsibilities and so change the order of nature 
 that man shall no longer be the friend of man? 
 
 It is a command from heaven that we search the Scrip- 
 tures — this is the duty of all. The united voice of all 
 Protestants, too., is, that every individual has the right to 
 read the Bible and judge for himself. But slaveholders 
 say that to give the Bible to slaves and learn them to read 
 it, would destroy slavery. And for its perpetuity the laws 
 say, thou shalt not learn to read — thou shalt not search 
 the Scriptures. But, if the slave owe a duty to God — if 
 it be his right and for his interest, to possess and search 
 the Scriptures, does not God make it our duty to give his 
 word to the destitute and needy bondman ? This is a 
 serious question which is beginning to press itself upon 
 us, and to which we must yet give a direct reply. But, 
 by the reasoning of slaveholders it is necessary for the 
 safety of slavery, to enact laws in direct violation of the 
 spirit of the gospel and commands of God ; and those, who 
 have gone as agents of the Bible Society to distribute the 
 bread of life, and who have ignorantly and innocently put 
 a Bible into the hand of a slave, have actually been im- 
 prisoned, whose lives were endangered by the violence 
 •of the populace. According to civil enactments in this en- 
 lightend, christian land, it is a crime to give a man the Bi- 
 ble. But is not the whole process of such reasoning 
 based on false premises — are not such enactments impious 
 and Heaven daring? No institution, recognized by laws, 
 opposed to truth and the spirit of the gospel, ought to be 
 held free from attack and exposure on the ground of its 
 legality. Duty to God and man, nor the decision of the 
 great clay will never sustain such a plea. 
 
 3. Opposition to the truth is manifested in hostility to 
 those who advocate its claims. Though this hostility 
 may not always be openly avowed, still it is discovered. — 
 It is not the individual or his views, which are so obnox- 
 ious, but his measures. " I am opposed to intemperance, oe 
 slavery, &c, as much as any one, but the measures I do* 
 not like." True, there may be improper measures in pro- 
 moting any good cause — these we need not approve— nor, 
 on this account should we oppose or abandon the truth. — 
 After all these professions, it is the truth which is advoca- 
 ted that draws forth personal hate and opposition. Herod 
 respected John, as an individual ; he " feared him, know- 
 ing he was a just man and an holy — and heajcd him. glad- 
 
 B 
 
Ill 
 
 ly ;" but the truth he could not endure, and, to destroy its 
 influence, that he might indulge in his sins, he shuts up 
 this hold reformer in prison. John was not a dangerous 
 man; Herod knewfhat he was "just and holy" — and was 
 there sufficient cause of alarm? No, only as the friend of 
 God and truth, he attacks sin and disturbs the peace and 
 security of the sinner. 
 
 There was Paul, the hold, intrepid advocate of truth. — 
 When zealously engaged against the truth, imprisoning 
 men and women, he was not opposed and persecuted. — 
 peace of society or of the government do not appear 
 to be disturbed. But, mark the change. As soon as he 
 breathes the christian spirit and attacks the sins of the 
 people, whole cities are tilled with confusion. The citi- 
 zens of Ephesus caught Gains and Aristarchus, Paul's 
 companions in travel, and rushed into the theatre; some 
 crying one thing and some another, for the assembly was 
 confused. Not unlike this, have been scenes even in 
 New England within the last ten years. But why was 
 Paul more dangerous now, than when persecuting the 
 followers of Christ ? Why did Jews and Gentiles unite 
 with their rulers to stone him ; why was it charged against 
 him and Silas, before the rulers, " these men do exceed- 
 ingly trouble (Mir city"— and why were they beaten, and 
 cast into prison with "their feet fast in the stocks," — be- 
 cause they advocated the truth. The city of Ephesus 
 was thrown into confusion because Paul had attacked the 
 sin of idolatry : not that the conscience was so much af- 
 fected as the purse, for said the manufacturer of idols, 
 ■our craft is in danger" — " for by this craft we have our 
 living." 
 
 There were Peter and John, harmless men, but bold in 
 the truth. The officers of government were grieved be- 
 cause they preached the doctrines of the gospel. And 
 what did they do ? — they employed violent measures ; 
 • laid hatuls upon them ami put them in the hold." The 
 next day they came together and examined them, heard 
 their doctrine, saw the man they had healed — and " they 
 could say nothing against it." But that the truth " spread 
 no farther among the people," they said, " let us threaten 
 them, that they speak henceforth to no man in his name." 
 But what was their reply—" Whether it be right in the 
 sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, 
 judge yc." Thus they were commanded by authority to 
 'desist; but in their prayer to God, after " being let go" 
 they said, "and now, Lord, behold their thrcatenings ; 
 and" grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness tkeymay 
 ik thy word." And God manifested his approbation, 
 for at the close of their prayer the place was shaken, " and 
 
11 
 
 they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake 
 the word of God with boldness." 
 
 There was Stephen, too, a humble but bold advocate of 
 the truth— and because he faithfnlly declared the truth, 
 the people " gnashed on him with their teeth," and stoned 
 him to death. 
 
 And what is the record of the old Testament history ? 
 There was Hanai, the seer, who faithfully rebuked Asa 
 the King, for his folly, and Asa was wroth with the ser- 
 vant of God " and put him in a prison-house ; because he 
 was in a rage with him because of this thing." When 
 Zechariah stood up before the people and told them why 
 they could not prosper — " ye have forsaken the Lord, and 
 he hath forsaken you," they conspired against him and 
 stoned him with stones, at the commandment of the king, 
 in the house of the Lord ; and his dying words were, 
 " the Lord look upon it and reward it." He lost his life 
 for showing the people the cause of their adversity, and 
 pointing out a way of deliverance. 
 
 Then, besides many instances more similar to the 
 above, furnished by the sacred historian, there is the long 
 list of martyrs, who were 'persecuted to death, for the 
 truth, all of which shows that it is no new thing for the 
 faithful servants of God to sutler for well doing. 
 
 II. The second general division of my subject, is, that 
 God has always manifested a particular regard for 
 the truth. This he has done, 
 
 1. By raising up men of great boldness and integrity in 
 the different ages of the world, adapted to the exigency, to 
 show the people their sins and declare the way of truth 
 and righteousness. As when Israel " killed his prophets 
 and digged down his altars," the Lord reserved to himself 
 seven thousand men, who were true to his cause, so he 
 has never been without his witnesses in the world, nor 
 truth without its advocates. When his covenant people 
 departed from him, the Lord sent his prophets to call after 
 them and bring them back. But I must not dwell. 
 
 ~2. God has shown his regard for the truth by the inflic- 
 tion of his judgments upon the obstinate. Though he 
 bears long, he is faithful to vindicate the truth. Look at 
 his dealings with the antideluvian world : then with the 
 Egyptians, who enslaved his people and sorely oppressed 
 them. He raised up Moses and Aaron to make known 
 his will to Pharaoh, and require him to let the people go. 
 He gave him ample time to comply, but he only filled up 
 the measure of his iniquity. That wicked prince would 
 not let the oppressed go free — their cries were heard and 
 their wrongs were signally avenged upon their oppressors. 
 
 Again, God suffered long with the Jewish nation— and 
 
12 
 
 raised, up men, to " cry aloud and spare not — to lift their 
 voice like a trumpet, and show the people their transgres- 
 sions, and the house of Jacob their sins. But they Mould 
 not hear — if these messengers from the Lord uould not 
 speak "smooth things," "prophesy deceit," "cry peace," 
 and keep back the truth, they must be imprisoned, and 
 put to death. Though Cod waited long, and at last sent 
 his own Son, whom they also killed — the day of retribu- 
 tion came. " Fill ye up." says Christ, "the measure of 
 your fathers. That upon you may come all the righteous 
 blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous 
 Abel unto the blood of Zecharias, whom ye slew between 
 the temple and the altar." 
 
 If time would allow, we might collect from modern his- 
 tory examples of the fearful but righteous exhibitions of 
 God's displeasure against sin, and his vindication of 
 truth. The cruelty of princes has been visited upon them- 
 selves, and the corruption of nations have wrought out their 
 overthrow. 
 
 And if the government of this nation is ever overturned, 
 it will be done through sin and error. Truth, virtue nor 
 holiness will never do it. What that sin or form of error 
 may be, is unknown to us. As nations increase in years 
 and population, crime and corruption increase even in a 
 greater ratio. Such is evidently the case in this country, 
 which may well excite -the deepest solicitude. That sin 
 which has the greatest influence over this nation at the 
 present time — which sways its councils, ctisturbs its peace 
 and threatens the perpetuity of our civil and religious in- 
 stitutions, is slavery. Facts and figures show this so 
 plainly that no one familiar with them will doubt the truth 
 of the assertion. And one of two things we may rest as- 
 sured is morally certain ; the system of Slavery must cease, 
 or it will effect our overthrow. May Cod give us repen- 
 tance and effect the former. 
 
 The cry has long been, "cease agitating the subject — 
 let us alone — we will take care of ourselves and our in- 
 stitutions." Not so; slaveholders cannot protect them- 
 selves in their present course. Why — because truth and 
 justice, humanity and religion, and the Majesty of the 
 universe, are all arrayed against them. Cod has not a 
 single attribute in alibis character that can side with slav- 
 ery. The cry of the oppressed has gone up to the Aveng- 
 er of wrong, and nothing but repentance can avert long 
 merited judgments. Well might that distinguished states- 
 man, Jefferson, exclaim, in view of the abominations of 
 slavery, I tremble when I remember that God is Just. 
 
 The voice of opposition might, indeed, be hushed, and 
 all .efforts to show the oppressor his sin, and remove the 
 
13 
 
 cursed system, cease— but it would only be like an attempt 
 to smother the deep gathering fires of Vesuvius, which, 
 pent up, will by and by break forth, causing tenfold more 
 terror and desolation. The smothered fires of slavery 
 would burn deeper and spread wider, undermining the 
 very foundations of our national fabric, and, when bursting 
 forth, would cause a fearful overthrow. It is not difficult 
 to perceive that the system of slavery contains within it- 
 self the elements of our nation's ruin. 
 
 But God has evidently raised up individuals and in- 
 spired their hearts with holy zeal in the cause of freedom, 
 justice and humanity; he has moved upon his people to 
 iift up their voice and expose the sin of slavery, and call 
 upon the slaveholder to repent and let the oppressed go 
 free. He is waiting the result — as he did with Pharaoh, 
 and what shall it be ? I verily believe that as a nation, we 
 are experiencing a time of trial, and probation, as 
 much as did the Egyptians; that God is calling loudly up- 
 on us to put away this sin; and, unless we repent, the 
 day of solemn visitation is not far distant, and our destruc- 
 tion is as sure as that of Pharaoh and his host. 
 
 III. My third general remark is, the removal of men 
 
 VALIANT FOR THE TRUTH, FROM THEIR LABORS, IS AN EVENT 
 CALCULATED TO PRODUCE SERIOUS REFLECTIONS. 
 
 1. Such men possess qualifications, which render their 
 continuance in active life very desirable. Those most 
 likely to succeed in great moral revolutions, and bless the 
 world by their labors, are such as possess fixed moral 
 principles — expansive benevolence — moral courage and 
 great practical wisdom. A bright galaxy of the names of 
 such is seen in the moral heavens,whom God has raised up 
 to plead his cause. As an illustration, see what incalcula- 
 ble blessings have been secured to the world through the 
 agency of Luther, of Howard, and of Wilberforce. See, 
 too, the christian and philanthropic devotion of Mills and 
 Boardman — of Crandall;Lovejoy and Torrey — their all was 
 consecrated to God, and the good of man. To be de- 
 prived of the labors of such men, would naturally cause 
 grief and despondency. The inquiry starts almost, invol- 
 untarily, does not God frown on the cause which they had 
 espoused; or, why should he remove laborers so well 
 adapted to carry it on ? This grief is deepened by the 
 reflection that such men are few, compared with the mao-- 
 nitude of the work yet to be accomplished ; and on see- 
 ing one removed after another, the anxious inquiry arises 
 " by whom shall Jacob arise ?" Who will go forth as 
 faithful heralds of the cross — who will plead the cause of 
 the dumb ? Who will go forth in the majesty of truth and 
 expose the sins of the world ; and break the death-like 
 
II 
 
 slumber of man; and, by a mighty moral effort, turn the 
 tide of vice, injustice and cruelty, which have so long- 
 rolled their deadly stream over the land ? 
 
 2. Another ikmiic has been added to the list of those 
 who have been cut down in the midst of their labors. — 
 Yes, the name of Ch \i:i.i:s T. Torkey is now on the rec- 
 ord of departed martyrs to the cause of humanity, a name 
 which will long, long live in the grateful remembrance of 
 the virtuous ami humane. 
 
 There are circumstances connected with Mr. Torrey's 
 death, peculiarly painful and afflictive. He must he 
 considered a murdered man — murdered legally, it may b< 
 said, according to law. lie may be censured by some, 
 and his death charged to his imprudence — of this 1 leave. 
 every one to be his own judge. There is no doubt, had 
 Daniel and the three Worthies lost, their lives, in obeying 
 the claims of religion, though in violation of civil authori- 
 ty — but what the enemy would have exultingly charged 
 their death to their rashness and indiscretion. So of 
 John — his friends might charge him with imprudence in 
 reproving Herod, whose vicious character he knew; he 
 had better remained silent, than to provoke one, whose 
 sin was legalized bylaw, or sanctioned by common usage, 
 and who had power to take his life — and so he fell a vic- 
 tim to his misguided zeal. But do you suppose Herod's 
 prisoner relented — did his heart reproach him? Did not 
 rather the testimony of his conscience dispel the gloom 
 and ease the bonds of his imprisonment? 
 
 Mr. Torrey was a Congregational clergyman, and stood 
 high in the estimation of the members of his own commu- 
 nion and of the community generally. He was born at 
 Scituatc, Mass., in 1 813 ; his parents died when he was but 
 four years old. He was educated at Exeter, Yale Col- 
 lege, and the Institution at Audovcr. He was settled 
 in the pastoral office at Providence, R. I, and afterwards 
 at Salem, Mass. His sympathies were deeply enlisted 
 in behalf of the oppressed, whose wrongs possessed the 
 inmost chambers of his soul, and he became ardently devo- 
 to the cause of human freedom. To extend the bles- 
 sings of the gospel; liberty, social, civil and religious, to 
 the degraded captive ; to give a boon so precious to three 
 millions of his fellow men, was a work from which he 
 could not withhold the utmost energies of his soul. — 
 He possessed humane and pious feelings. His heart beat 
 with the sympathies of a man and a christian. He had 
 imbibed the spirit of his Master, who came down from 
 heaven to die for man. and he Avas impelled to seek and 
 save the lost. 
 
 Some four years since, Mr. Torrey attended a Conven- 
 
15 
 
 tion of slaveholders in Maryland ; and was there im- 
 prisoned for reporting the proceedings for a Northern pa- 
 per. While in jail at that time, it is said he formed a pain 
 for assisting fugitives, through the agency of which, be- 
 tween 300 and 400 had effected their escape, previous to 
 his last arrest, who are now enjoying the blessings of 
 freedom. In June 1844, he was arrested in Baltimore, 
 and tried the last of November following, on the charge of 
 aiding the escape of slaves, was adjudged guilty on the 
 1st of December 1844, and was condemned to six years 
 confinement in the state Penitentiary. A requisition was 
 in preparation from Virginia, to be enforced at the expi- 
 ration of his six years' sentence in Maryland. 
 
 The circumstances connected with the charges against 
 him are briefly these; — "Emily Webb was born a slave; 
 her husband, John Webb was the property of Bushrod 
 Taylor of Winchester. Emily herself was born both the 
 slave and daughter of a Virginia gentleman by the name 
 of Carr, who treated her kindly and delivered her over to 
 her white brother. He designed to emancipate her, but 
 dying intemperate,yielded to evil counsel and she became 
 the slave of a Dr. Renke. This chivalrous gentleman al- 
 lowed her a cottage to herself and liberty to do what she 
 pleased, provided she delivered to him her children free 
 of charge for nurture at the age of 10. She lived, had 13 
 children, 4 of whom died in infancy and the rest went to 
 her master on the above condition. Emily earned money 
 and purchased her own liberty. It was her intention to 
 purchase that of her family; but the owner would not 
 wait. It was his plan to sell them as soon as they were 
 marketable. Two fled from him and took their liberty. — 
 Two were sold to the soul-drivers at a tender age, and 
 both the father and mother labored in vain to rescue them. 
 As the last act, the father, who had been permitted by his 
 master to visit them at Charlestown, Va., crept into the 
 jail-yard, and awakening them hauled out the youngest 
 through the grate of the window. The older was too 
 much grown to follow. " We must go," said the father, 
 and leave poor George to be sold. " No," said the little 
 boy, " I will go back and be sold with him." And he 
 crept back through the grate and they were sent to the 
 south ! 
 
 Emily it seems contrived to get the younger children 
 out of the possession of Renke into that of Taylor who 
 owned the father. It was her plan to raise money to 
 purchase them all. But Taylor was impatient at the 
 slowness of the operation and was about to sell them all, 
 and it was at this time that the heroic mother — with Vir- 
 ginia's "best blood" in her veins, interested Mr. Torrey to 
 
16 
 
 interfere. One night John Webb with his youngest child 
 in his arms and anotherat his side left the patriarchal roof 
 n[' Bushrod Taylor, and Torrey met them with tram and 
 vehicle and helped them on their way to freedom. This 
 is the foundation of that charge for which proud Virginia 
 will now have to bring her requisition in the court of 
 heaven, to get hold of'the fugitive from her justice! 
 
 As to Heckrotte's slaves, the ground of the Maryland 
 prosecution, Mr. Torrey never saw them till they were 30 
 miles from Baltimore. He had not the slightest hand in 
 enticing them from their master, and might at any time 
 have cleared himself by giving up the name of'the perpe- 
 trator of that deed which he honorahly refused to do. It 
 was at the instance of a most respectable lady of Balti- 
 more, who planned their escape and couJd get no one 
 else to assist in it, that he consented to drive the carriage 
 which took them out of the state of bondage." 
 
 On the last charge, though not actually criminal by the 
 laws of Maryland, Mr. Torrey was sentenced to six years' 
 imprisonment. Early last winter, it was evident his 
 health was suffering by his confinement, and his physi- 
 cians decided that liberation alone could save his life. — 
 That he might be restored as the husband and father of his 
 family, his friends labored to efi'ect his release. Negotia- 
 tions were entered into with the agrieved parties — some 
 hundreds of dollars were raised to pay them the value 
 they put upon their slaves, on condition Mr. Torrey should 
 be pardoned and liberated. After it was supposed the 
 Virginia and Maryland cases were both adjusted, Hec- 
 krotte fell back — and the whole plan was defeated. In 
 the mean time, Mr. Torrey's health continued to decline ; 
 and as it became evident he must soon die, respectful pe- 
 titions were addressed to the Governor of Maryland, from 
 the most influential citizens of Massachusetts, and from 
 his afflicted wife, that he might be pardoned and permit- 
 ted — not to go at large and enjoy life, but return to the 
 bosom of his family and die in their embrace. To com- 
 ply, the Governor had full authority; not the least danger 
 could follow ; so far as justice or punishment in the eye 
 of slave laws was regarded, both had been fully answered, 
 for his life had virtually been taken. But no : the entreat- 
 ies of the wife of his bosom, bending at the feet of the 
 Governor, nor the prayers of the most distinguished citi- 
 zens of his native State could avail — there was no- 
 place in the slaveholder's'heart for the exercise of gener- 
 ous compassion. 
 
 The Baltimore Visitor stales that Mr. Torrey "died 1 
 with that calmness of resignation which became him, and 
 vet hardly to be anticipated in a death watched over by 
 
\] 
 
 uiily the eye of prison oiReials,rather than thatof the friends 
 
 ot his home and heart, whose soothing voices and careful 
 ministrations are no trifles in the estimation of the depart- 
 ing." So he must die alone ; no wife, or mother or sister to 
 smooth his dying pillow, or relieve his distresses in his 
 passage to the tomb. 
 
 Mr. Torrey ever felt conscious that he was guilty of no 
 crime against God or man in this matter. He had acted 
 from the kindest and purest motives, and, knowing his in- 
 tegrity, he had no regret in his death. Although strongly 
 urged to acknowledge he had done wrong, on which his 
 prison doors would have been opened, he remained true 
 to the conviction of his own heart of what was right, with 
 an unyielding firmness, worthy the noblest martyrs of the 
 church. One week previous to his death,he wrote to a friend; 
 
 " How can I consent to a doctrine, which my heart, my 
 conscience and my judgment, based on careful examina- 
 tion when no possible motive of self interest could bias 
 me, led me to reject as opposed to the Bible and right rea- 
 son? I may be erroneous in my views, for I am a fallible 
 man ; but this is no place, nor am I in a condition now, 
 to review my settled opinions respecting the relations of 
 Christianity to those civil laws which are contrary to nat- 
 ural justice and the law of God. It is better to die in pris- 
 on with the peace of God in our breasts, than to live in 
 freedom with a polluted conscience." 
 
 The church in Worcester of which Mr. Torrey was a 
 member, deputed their pastor to visit their dying fellow 
 member in his prison. When his pastor first saw him, he 
 was so emaciated that he hardly recognized him ; but he 
 found him in a very desirable frame of mind. Rev. Dr. 
 Welch, of the Baptist church, Albany, visited Mr. Torrey 
 at the same time, who says he " has rarely if ever seen a 
 more triumphant death-bed." 
 
 Still he may be censured. For what; for helping men 
 to freedom ? Our fathers declared in '76 that all men are 
 entitled to freedom and sealed that declaration with the 
 blood of the revolution. Did he violate civil law to de- 
 liver the oppressed? What was the example in this res- 
 pect and the principle taught, by our struggle for freedom 
 from the power of the oppressor ? But, allowing he did 
 go farther than what we may think judicious ; what led 
 him to the act but the promptings of an unconquerable 
 zeal in a righteous cause ? Did lie violate law ? it was a 
 law against humanity, against love and mercy, and truth 
 and justice — against God. And which is the most crim- 
 inal, to possess so much of benevolence and holy ardor, 
 as to be impelled a little beyond the bounds, of what may 
 be called discretion ; or to remain so destitute of generous, 
 
18 
 
 philanthropic, pious zeal, as not to engage in the caus. 
 humanity ; but to endure the curse of Meroz for not com- 
 ing to the 'help of the Lord against the mighty. But if 
 we censure, future ages will approve. How must it as- 
 lonish generations to come, to learn that in the 19th cen- 
 tury, in this land of freedom, of Bibles and christian in- 
 stitutions, a minister of the gospel of Christ was doomed 
 lo die a felon's death in a prison, for a deed of mercy ; 
 a deed which the universe will approve, which God and 
 all holy mtL-lligencies will most assuredly sanction. Mr 
 Torrcy violated no law that can stand the test of the niil- 
 lenial day or the decisions of the law of God. He fol- 
 lowed out one of the holiest impulses of our nature. He 
 acted upon the great law of God in the equality of man- 
 kind. " Hide the outcast; bewray not him that wander- 
 eth," is the divine injunction; "deliver him that is 
 spoiled out of the hand of the oppressor." He did this 
 and it cost him his liberty and life. He acted upon the great 
 law of humanity — common law — the charter given by God 
 of human liberty ; he assisted his brother, unrighteously 
 held in bondage, to break his chains, and led him to the 
 land of freedom. Human nature has applauded such 
 deeds from the time of the creation to the present. If in 
 the struggles of the Grecians or the Poles, he had rescued 
 one of either from Turkish despotism or Russian captivi- 
 ty, his patriotism and valor would have been heralded 
 through our land, and his praises shouted to the skies. — 
 And, because those for whom he felt and toiled and died, 
 were Americans, though oppressed and degraded, has he 
 less claims on our gratitude and respect? But further, 
 he acted on still higher authority— the authority of the 
 great Divine law-giver, who, more than 1 300 years ago 
 declared, "all things whatsoever ye would that men 
 should d'o unto you, do ye even so unto them, for tins is 
 the law;" and by this, universal, immutable and perpetu- 
 al law,' Mr. Torrey stands admitted before Heaven and 
 Earth. ' If in some measure he is liable to be considered 
 indiscreet, still, can we doubt the purity of his motives.— 
 lie was actuated by no feeling of revenge— or malice ; 
 he had no wish to injure, but was prompted by a love of 
 mercy, justice, and humanity. And when we contem- 
 plate him in his relation to God a] id eternity, we cannot 
 doubt but ere this, his Saviour has welcomed him to the 
 joys of Paradise, with '• the cheering recognition, worth 
 more than all human applause— incalculably outweighing 
 all human censure, — Inasmuch as - dom it untt 
 
 out of these my brt 
 
 How many more victims must be offered, or how much 
 more blood How. before the demands of slavery shall h 
 
19 
 
 been answered, time must reveal. But the death-kncIJ 
 of Torrey should make the ears of this whole nation tin- 
 gle., and awake this entire people from their fearful slum- 
 bers. The signs of the times arc ominous — the cries of 
 oppressed millions are going up daily to God for redress, 
 and the blood of martyrs to freedom calls for vengeance. 
 Is not the cup of our iniquity fast rilling up, and is there 
 not cause of alarm in the foreboding future ? Our person- 
 al, civil, and religious interests are ah involved, in the in- 
 tegrity and perpetuity of our national government. Our 
 duty and welfare call loudly upon us to repent and put 
 away every sin. Obstinacy or indifference, is but a pre- 
 lude to certain overthrow and destruction. 
 
 Finally, the present is a time for thought, for feeling, 
 for action. The friends of truth are stationed on the en- 
 emy's ground, and must fight to the death. While our 
 rulers are calling for volunteers to go forth and slay their 
 fellows — the great Captain of our Salvation is calling for 
 soldiers, valiant for the truth, to enlist in his service and 
 attack the powers of error and darkness at every post. — 
 No matter what be the sin — or where it may be found; it 
 is opposed to truth and to God, and the final triumph of 
 the gospel. Arm, then, ye friends of righteousness, arm 
 for the battle and march to the conflict. Put on the 
 whole armour of God, and through Almighty strength, 
 victory shall be won for our King. The enemy shall be 
 destroyed, and his strong-holds demolished. Intemper- 
 ance, slavery, licentiousness., and the long catalogue of 
 damning sins, shall be swept away. This world is yet 
 to be reclaimed — no part of it will be left ; but " over all, 
 the loveliness and purity of Eden are again to return. — 
 Over all, Christ is to reign, and to reign through the in- 
 strumentality of his people." Oh, then, let faith and pray- 
 er, and repentance and holy zeal, contribute to hasten that 
 day, the day of Immanuel's glory. 
 
 Then shall man be free — redeemed and saved through 
 the truth. Then shall love, peace and holiness abound. 
 Then shall be heard one universal anthem of a world re- 
 elaimed.through the conquests of truth,and every kindred, 
 and tongue,and people,shall shout the loud chorus — while 
 
 " Eartli rolls the rapturous hosanna round," 
 Jehovah has Triumphed, his People are Free, 
 
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