class. 
 Book. 
 
 t^Q-L 
 
 t rs 
 
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 A 
 
 t 
 
 Dr. FURMAN'S 
 
 ON THE 
 
 DBA T H 
 
 OF 
 
 ^a7ncUo7in 
 
 i 
 
 i 
 
 7^y 
 
DEATH'S DOMINION OVER MAN CONSIDERED. 
 
 9i S>ermon, 
 
 OCCASIONED BY THE DEATH OF THE 
 
 HONORABLE MAJOR GENERAL 
 
 Kytleccander JuamcCton ; 
 
 PREACHED AT THE BAPTIST CHURCH^ 
 IN 
 
 CHARLESTON, SOUTH-CAROLINA, 
 
 THE 
 
 FIFTEENTH DAY OF AUGUST, 1804, 
 
 BEFORE THE 
 
 STATE SOCIETY OF THE CINCINNATI, 
 
 THE 
 
 AMERICAN REVOLUTION SOCIETY i 
 
 AND 
 
 A NUMEROUS ASSEMBLAGE OF OTHER CITIZENS: 
 
 AND, PUBLISHED AT THE JOINT REQUEST OF THE 
 TWO SOCIETIES. 
 
 BY RICHARD FURMAN, D. D. 
 
 PASTOR OF SAID CHURCH^ 
 AND A MEMBER OF THE REVOLUTION SOCIETV, 
 
 ** It is appointed unto men once to die ; but after Ihis the judjrment* 
 
 Hcb, ix, 27, 
 
 ^ -2>*^"^0->.iaK5 — — 
 
 CHARLESTON: * ;** 
 
 PRINTED BY W. P. YOUNG, 
 I^RANKHn's head, no. 41, BROAD-STRE£T. 
 

 :^: 
 
 ^HOSE highly respectable bodies, the CiNCINWATr in ihii 
 siute, and /j^f v-.merican Revolution Society, ha'ving 
 
 h ill I'lCi sed to rutice the /ti!c--v.}itig sermon luith Apprchation^ 
 ana t . request its puhl c.tion j it is no^Wt under that patronage, 
 submitted y by the out bury to the 'vie'w of a caudid public, 
 
 njuith ad due respect. 
 
 Charleston, August 17, 1S04. 
 
 yc 
 
SERMON, 
 
 ::-::'*• ::^ 
 
 Psalm lxxxix. 48th. 
 
 '* What man is he that liveth, and shall not see death ? Shall 
 
 ** he deliver his soul from the hand of the grave P* Selah. 
 
 E 
 
 iXEMPTION from death, is in vain expected, or defired 
 by any of the human race. Elevated stations in honor, or 
 power; pre-eminence in intellectual, moral, or religious 
 attainments; however they may secure to their possessors 
 important advantages, and preserve from a variety of other 
 evils, cannot defend them from the arrest of the king of 
 terrors. 
 
 No truth is more generally acknowlcged than this; 
 because none is more obvious. But how often are truths, the 
 most obvious and important, forgotten or disregarded, by 
 thoughtless, deluded man ! Not only his mortality, but his 
 dependence on his God, and accountableness to him, arc 
 frequently found among the number. Hence the propriety 
 shall I say, or rather necessity of the calls of revelation, and 
 the alarms of Providence to rouse us from our lethargic 
 security, and fix our attention on this momentous truth : 
 That wc must did A truth, intimately connected with all 
 
 that 
 
that is to be hoped, or feared, by the probationer for a 
 future, everlasting existence. The interrogations in the 
 text are evidently designed to enforce this truth : They arc 
 addressed rather to the conscience than to the understanding; 
 to affect the heart, rather than inform the mind. 
 
 On the form of expression used by the psalmist, which 
 is to a high degree figurative, we may remark ; that ' seeing 
 deathy denotes experiencing it, that the * soul,^ here signifies 
 natural life, and the * hand of the grave* its power; and if, 
 as critics have thought, the Hebrew word < Selah,' is gene- 
 rally used as a note of attention, it must, in this connection, 
 be designed to impress our minds with a sense of the solemn 
 nature of the subject proposed. 
 
 This subject, always interesting and important, now 
 arrests our attention through the medium of an awful in* 
 stance of mortality, calculated to give aloud alarm, and con- 
 strain us, almost involuntarily, to exclaim, in the language 
 of the royal prophet: " How is the mighty fallen 1" 
 
 This mournful event, the untimely death of Major 
 General Hamilton, having induced a highly respected 
 part of my audience to appoint the solemn service of thi*. 
 morning, as a mean of testifying their respect for the de- 
 ceased, and of improving his death to the important pur- 
 poses of religion, I fhall, in a view of the text before us, 
 attempt a brief illustration of the following interesting 
 propositions, which naturally result from it : 
 
 First : The reafon of death's universal dominion over the 
 
 human race. 
 
 Secondly : The importance of the subject. 
 
 Thirdly : The proper manner of improving the humbling 
 truth, that we must die. 
 
 The whole to conclude with an application of the subject 
 to the mournful event which we recognize and deplore. 
 
 first : The reason of death's universal dominion over 
 man. Our enquiry respects the cause, considered in a 
 
 moral 
 
moral and religious point of view : For, in tJie state of 
 accountable creatures, the natural, are subservient to moral 
 causes; and it is to revelation we are indebted for a develops 
 ment of what respects many of these ; which would other- 
 wise, notwithstanding our most careful inquiries, remain 
 enwrapped in impenetrable darkness. 
 
 The cause of death stands fully disclosed on the page of 
 holy writ: It was by the introduction of sin into our world, 
 that it obtained its power; of sin, which has infected our 
 nature, and deprived us of our immortality, in the present 
 life, as it has of our innocence and happiness. Death was 
 threatened as the punishment of sin, when the Great Crea- 
 tor, and Moral Governor, gave his first law to man : And. 
 its introduction, continuance, and power, aitord convincing 
 proof of the rebellion, guilt, and general depravity of the 
 human race. 
 
 ^ True it is, to the glory of Divine mercy be it spoken, a 
 dispensation of grace has been sent to our world, through 
 the mediation of the incarnate Son of God, and as many as 
 have accepted the overtures of his grace, by an unfeigned 
 repentance and faith, have, by his merciful interposition, 
 been absolved from their guilt, and delivered from the 
 power of sin; but even these do not obtain sinless per- 
 fection, in the present life; and are, therefore, the 
 proper subjects of natural death. The scriptures assic^n 
 other reasons also, for the death of good men : One is 
 that their afflictions may be shortened, and they taken 
 from the evil to come. Another cogent reason, is as- 
 signed by the apostle, when he says, " flesh and blood 
 cannot inherit the kingdom of God : Therefore, this cor- 
 ruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal, immor- 
 tality. As though he had said, " the God of mercy designs 
 a heaven of glory for his redeemed ; but of this in the 
 present condition of their nature they cannot partake • The 
 tie therefore, which holds the two grand constituent parts 
 in union, must be dissolved ; the body must be reduced to 
 Its first principles, that it may be raised in a new and glorious 
 torm ; and the immortal spirit must be released from its 
 prison of clay, that it may escape the pollution inseparable 
 trom us earthly state, and, expanding all its powers, rise 
 
 to 
 
to the bright regions of perfect life, hollnesj, felicity and 
 joy." 
 
 If the designs of mercy, for their accomplishment, require 
 the removal of the righteous from their present state of exis- 
 tence; the claims of justice demand, no less, the death of 
 the wicked: That they may cease to abuse the bounties of 
 Providence, the divine long-suffering, and the day of grace ; 
 and suffer the infliction of that punishment wliich their sins 
 deserve. 
 
 Another reason, for our universal mortality, which may 
 be inferred from the economy of God*s moral government, 
 is the restraint it lays on the passions and vices of men, by 
 producing a salutary fear; which is of important use, not 
 only in a moral and religious view, but in its influence 
 ou social and civil life; affording one of the most powerful 
 sanctions to laws and government. 
 
 Our second proposition is, the importance of the subject. 
 This will appear to be great, when we consider the astonishing 
 change death produces on the persons and circumstances of 
 men. However finely formed, vigorous and active the body ; 
 death reduces it to the rank of a clod of the valley. The 
 fine features are clothed with deformity; and the active 
 limbs become inert as congealed water, or the insensible 
 rock. The countenance, in which beauty shone, with all 
 its charms ; or in which superior sense, manly virtue and 
 dignity appeared to their highest advantage; no longer 
 beams with love, wisdom, courage, friendship, or benevo- 
 lence ; but is covered with an apalling gloom. The eye no 
 longer expresses the feelings of the soul ; the ear is no more 
 attuned to the meaning and harmony of sound ; and the 
 tongue, which was most eloquent, is hushed into perpetual 
 silence. — The heart ceases to beat ; the purple fluid to find 
 its passage through the lessening and expanding tubes ; the 
 fine-spun cords of sensation cannot perform their office; nor 
 can the muscles exert their force. The exquisitely curious 
 mechanism, of the animal economy, is deranged and bro- 
 ken; and man's whole material part (oh, humbling consi- 
 deration to human pride!) is changed into a mass of corrupt 
 tion — a feast for worms — a, body of dust I — While the im- 
 mortal 
 
mortal soul, dislodged from its former residence, removes 
 to distant worlds, and enters on an everlasting, untried state 
 ef being. 
 
 The relative, and social ties, are broRen by death: Those, 
 rvho were united in the bands of dearest amity, must then 
 part to meet on earth no more. The right of possession is 
 lost. The master and the monarch resign their authority ; 
 and the servant is forever free. 
 
 Death puts an end to all the business and pursuits of the 
 present life : The agriculturist, m.erchant, architect, philoso- 
 pher, statesman and hero ; the libertine and man of virtue ; 
 the peasant and the emperor, must alike leave their plans unfi- 
 nished, or abandon their undertakings, when the king of 
 terrors strikes his fatal blow. The rich man, on the night 
 when God requires his soul, must give up the idea of pul- 
 ling down his barns to build greater, for securing his plenti- 
 ful harvest ; Archimedes must leave his interesting demon- 
 stration incomplete, and Chatham his eloquent speech un- 
 finished ; Cxszv must abandon his schemes of conquest and 
 dominion, and Richard his plans of ambition and tyranny; 
 though, to preserve his life, to accomplish them, he would 
 give a kingdom for a horse ! 
 
 Death terminates the enjoyments and sufferings of life„ 
 The great will not then receive the flattery of their 
 fiwning sychophants, nor gratify their pride by appearing 
 in the pageantries of state ; nor will the prosperous receive 
 the congratulations of their friends. The miser must leave 
 his hoards of wealth; the epicure his dainty feast; and the 
 libertine the embraces of his Delilah. — Even the innocent 
 enjoyments of virtuous life must be abandoned. — On the 
 other hand, death terminates the sufferings of life, whether 
 of a public or private nature. War, famine, and pestilence; 
 devouring flames, and over-whelming floods, cannot pursue 
 us beyond the grave; nor can racking pain, incurable dis- 
 ease, or wasting care, there make us their prey. The shafts 
 of malice, envy, and revenge, shall then be shot in vain. — 
 The prisoner shall come forth from the dungeon, and the 
 oppressed be released, forever, from the tyrant's rod, and 
 galling chain. — The servants of God have their peculiar af- 
 B flictions ; 
 
10 
 
 flictions; but, at death, they shall be freed from ♦^hcm -Jli 
 From the rage of persecutors, the snares of temptation, 
 and the evil of sin ; that greatest and worst of evils. Their 
 toils shall then end; their doubts and fears vanish; and 
 their long nights of desertion shall be exchanged for the 
 bright, everlasting day of beatific vision. 
 
 But that which gives greatest weight to the consideration 
 of death, is this solemn truth — that it ends man's proba- 
 tionary state; and delivers over the whole human race to 
 an unchanging eternity of happiness or misery. Holy-writ 
 therefore proclaims, in a language too plain to be mistaken, 
 and, in reason's ear, louder than the thunder of heaven — 
 '* It is appointed unto men once to die; but after this 
 " the judgment." — As the means of grace, so the hopes of 
 mercy extend not to sinners beyond the grave. " Then he 
 «* that is holy shall be holy still ; and he that is filthy shall be 
 •* filthy still." 
 
 We were, in the third place, to consider the right man- 
 ner of improving the consideration of death. This, in gen- 
 eral, consists in acquiring the necessary preparation for it, 
 as it respects ourselves ; in cherishing such sentiments tow- 
 ard our fellow mortals, as their circumstances and christian 
 benevolence require ; and in conducting ourselves toward 
 our God, in respect of this solemn subject, as the wisdom, 
 righteousness, and majesty of his government demand. But as 
 a great variety of interesting particulars are comprehended 
 in these general subjects, the illustration of only a few will 
 be attempted. 
 
 First : It should be considered as an urgent reason for cur 
 sincere, immediate reconciliation to God, according to the 
 gospel scheme of salvation. This includes repentance for 
 sin, faith in the Redeemer, and subjection to his authority ; 
 and necessarily requires a faithful, diligent use of the means 
 of grace. By repentance, the scriptures evidently mean a 
 forsaking, as well as confession of sin, and sorrow for it : And 
 we should do great injustice to the gospel, to suppose, that 
 faith in the Redeemer, which it enjoins, means no more, 
 than a speculative assent to his being the Messiah ; or such 
 an assent, as would, at best, produce a gold and formal 
 
 profession 
 
11 
 
 profession of his religion. The faith which is connected 
 with salvation, is an active, powerful principle ; the gift of 
 God, and fruit of his holy spirit ; which works by love and 
 purifies the heart. It consists in a firm persuasion, on the 
 testimony of heaven, that Jesus is the Son of God, and the 
 only Saviour of men ; and in such a reliance on his justify- 
 ing righteousness, atoning blood, and living intercession, 
 as causes us to cleave to him as the anchor of our hope, the 
 ark of our safety, and city of our refuge ; to the utter ex- 
 clusion of any dependence on our own supposed wisdom, 
 strength, or righteousness. 
 
 Subjection to the authority of Christ, is essential to an 
 interest in him : -' For those who obey not the gospel of our 
 Lord Jesus Christ, shall be punished with everlasting de- 
 struction, from the presence of the Lord and the glory of 
 his power." In vain do we call him, *' Lord! Lordl if 
 we do not the things he has commanded us." Obedience is, 
 indeed, the proper effect, and evidence, of a christian's 
 faith and love ; and as essential to his present, as future hap- 
 pinefs — to his peace, as to his duty : And experience will 
 prove, that the Redeemer's " commands are not grievous"; 
 but *' ways of pleasantness, and paths of peace." 
 
 Reconciliation to God, through the mediation of his son, 
 comprehends, the pardon of our sins, justification of our 
 persons, renovation of our nature, adoption into tlie heavenly 
 family, and a title to eternal life. These are blessings of 
 such vast magnitude and excellence ; that, as reason will 
 dictate, every exertion should be made to obtain them ; 
 but they can only be obtained in the present life, from the 
 grace of God, and in the use of those means which infinite 
 wisdom and goodness have appointed. How then should we 
 search the scriptures with diligence; meditate on our ever- 
 lasting concerns with seriousness; pray with fervor ; and 
 attend on all the ordinances of both private, and publick 
 worship, with earnestness : Lest death should arrest us in an 
 unprepared state ? For it often happens, that at such an 
 hour as we think not, God's awful messenger arrives. ** A 
 moment, and the world's blown up to thee ! The sun i$ 
 darkness and the stars are dust!" 
 Bz 
 
 Secondly : 
 
Secondly : The consideiation of death should excite m 
 to moderate our wishes, and expectations riom the worid ; 
 to lay a salutary restraint on our appetites and par^^ions i 
 which are, ordinarily, too much excited by the objects of 
 sense; and to lay up our treasure in heaven. U should, 
 also, induce us, after the example of our Divine Lord, to 
 improve our time in the most careful manner, and make our 
 lives as useful as possible; by performing all the works of 
 piety, and benevolence: According to that memorable rule 
 of the Saviour, '*! must work the works of him that sent me 
 while It is day ; the night cometh, when no man can work.'* 
 How should we endeavor to catch each moment as it flies, 
 and apply it to some important purpose ? A day, once gone, 
 is as much out of our power as the years beyond the flood ; 
 And surely, the heart of every good man must expand with 
 that sublime, generous wish — '* while yet I live, let me not 
 live in vain !" 
 
 Thirdly : From this consideration we should cherish in 
 our hearts a tender regard to the religious, everlasting inter- 
 ests of our fellow mortals, who yet live ; but who, we 
 know, must soon die ; and it should make their lives, on 
 the right termination of which so much depends, appear 
 precious in our sight : That our counsels, example, and 
 spirit may be employed, in recommending to them the 
 justest principles, and noblest pursuits. 
 
 It should also instruct us to restrain extravagant, and to 
 exclude hopeless grief, for those of our departed friends, 
 who have given good evidence of their faitii, hope, and 
 charity : As we know they have only suffered by death the 
 common lot of man ; and have, through grace, gained an 
 unspeakable advantage by the change. — For us it remains, 
 to honor their memory, and copy their example. 
 
 Lastly : As the primary reason of death's dominion is 
 found to originate in man's guilt, and God's justice ; and as 
 secondary, but important reasons are furnished from the wis- 
 dom and love of God, in his providence, and gracious 
 designs toward men ; they should, therefore, teach us to 
 humble purselves in the Divine presence ', to be reconciled to 
 
 our 
 
18 
 
 cur own dissolution ; and to entertain exalted thoughts of 
 God's morai government. 
 
 Before we indulge a murmuring thought on account of our 
 mortality, let each one ask himself — why is it that I yet 
 live ; when my life is forfeited by sin ? Why am I not placed 
 in such circumstances of affliction as to make death appear 
 desirable ? Why have 1 not been for my fins, as the fallen 
 angels, excluded from the hope of God*s mercy ? Why 
 have not the heavens, long since, blazed with the lightnings 
 of his wrath ; and the right-aimed thunder bolts of his 
 vengeance fallen on my devoted head ? 
 
 It is Jehovah's high prerogative to bring good out of 
 evil : And how can we sufficiently, in this instance, admire 
 that goodness which has changed the curse into a blessing— 
 by making terrific death a peaceful messenger, to call his 
 redeemed people home, from all their tribulations, to the 
 bosom of his love ! 
 
 It remains that we attempt an improvement of this subject, 
 by its application to the mournful event we this day deplore. 
 
 The general idea inculcated by the text, which has been 
 the subject of confideration — That no man, not e'ven the 
 greatest, is exempt from death ; naturally leads us to contem- 
 plate the life, character, and death of the Honorable 
 Major General Alexander Hamilton, late first 
 in command in the armies of these United States ; who 
 now lies in the silent, dreary grave ! — To this interesting 
 mournful subject, let us attend : 
 
 General Hamilton, must be ranked among those most 
 distinguished characters, who have risen to eminence, by 
 their superior personal endowments, and vigorous exertions. 
 
 Born in humble circumstances, he had, according to the 
 common course of events, no claim to a fortune. He re- 
 ceived, however, a liberal education, in the college of 
 Columbia, at New- York : And made such rapid advances 
 in literature, as to astonish his associates and instructors. 
 He was pursuing his studies, in this seminary, when the 
 
 American 
 
14 
 
 American revolution commenced ; and presented to the 
 world the rare example of a student, in a college, writing 
 against, and confuting hib principal : For the president 
 wrote in favour of the policy which the British pursued 
 atthat period. This juvenile production, of the generaPs, has 
 been esteemed by good judges, a^ one of the best publica- 
 tions which have been written in favor of the American 
 measures. 
 
 Though educated with a view to the church, his genius 
 and inclination led him to the army : And having obtained 
 a commission, he so distinguished himself, as to attract, very 
 early, the particular attention of general Washington ; who 
 appointed him one of his aids. Jn this office he continued, 
 assisting in the most important councils, and sharing in all 
 the dangers of hi^ general i enjoying his unreserved confi- 
 dence and particular affection, till the surrender of earl 
 Cornwallis, at York-Town. Soon after this event, when he 
 considered the war, in effect, closed, he retired from the ar- 
 my; and was, in a short time afterwards, chosen a m.ember 
 of congress, for the state of New-York. In this new sta- 
 tion, he excited the admiration of his colleagues in the na- 
 tional council, as well by his profound political knowledge, 
 as by his greatness and energy of mind, and matchless 
 eloquence. 
 
 On the conclusion of the peace, he applied himself to the 
 study and profession of ' law ; and soon took the first 
 station at tliQ bar. 
 
 But his fellow citizens again confided to his hands, their 
 most important, public interests ; by delegating him to the 
 grand convention, which formed the present constitution of 
 our general government. In the transactions of that august 
 body, he performed an important part j and was the only- 
 member, from the state he represented, who signed the con- 
 stitution. His learned comments on it, afterwards, and 
 masterly reasoning in its support, are known to have contri- 
 buted more toward its adoption, than the labours of an^ 
 other man. 
 
 On the organization of the general government, he was 
 called to the head of the treasury deparcment; and must be 
 
 considered. 
 
15 
 
 considered, as the author of that system of finance, whicli 
 restored the credit of these United States, and gave a flow- 
 to that tide of prosperity, with which they have since been 
 favored. We are, also, assured, by the most respectable 
 authority, that the adoption of the plan of neutraliLy, which 
 was the mean of preserving peace to this country, at a 
 most critical period, was greatly owing to the support he> 
 in this station, gave to the sentiments of the executive. 
 
 Again he retired to private life. But when our govern- 
 ment, in consequence of the injuries and insults received 
 from the late directory of France, thought proper to raise, 
 and organize a provisional army, under the command of the 
 great and virtuous Washington; the second station, in milita- 
 ry authority, was, by general Washington's particular re- 
 quest, given to General Hamilton: Who, on the death 
 of the commander in chief, succeeded him in command 
 of the army. 
 
 ^ It is unnecessary, to recite what is present in the recollec- 
 tion of all, concerning the change of circumstances and 
 measures which soon followed : — Suffice it to say, that the 
 general then retired, for the last time, in all the vigor of 
 manhood, to the scenes of private and domestic life : Con- 
 tinuing, however, his profession of the law ; which appears 
 to have been necessary for the support of his numerous and 
 beloved family. In this employment, while serving his cli- 
 ents, supporting justice, and both instructing and charming 
 the admiring multitudes, who thronged to hear his masterly 
 pleadings, he was arrested by the awful stroke of death. 
 
 ^ In a review of the general's character, established by a 
 life of nearly 48 years, almost thirty of which have been 
 employed in serving his country, we shall be constrained to 
 acknowledge him a man of transcendant genius; a refined 
 scholar; an accomplished gentleman ; an eloquent, powerful 
 orator; a profound civilian; a heroic soldier; a great 
 statesman; and (I hope I may add, without exaggeration, 
 or offence to any) a sincere patriot. The last particular, has 
 been called in question on two principal grounds : His mov- 
 ing in the convention, that the president, in case of good 
 iiehaviour, should hold his office for life ; and his opposing 
 
 that 
 
i6 
 
 that change in our government, of men and measures, which 
 it has of iate obtained. The fact, in either case, we mean 
 not to deny: But if, as has been ailedged by those who 
 best knew him, his apprehensions, in the first instance, 
 were — that frequent competitions, between aspiring influen- 
 tial rivals, for that high office, would divide the nation into 
 parties, destroy its harmony, unsettle its government, and 
 endanger its liberty ; and, in the other, that the coniempia- 
 ted change originated in the ambition of the prime movers ; 
 and, in a desire to copy after the principles and measures of 
 France ; which he fore-saw would end in military despotism 
 and royalty — then, surely, his patriotism should not, on these 
 accounts, be impeached. And, if, in these instances, he 
 erred in judgment; yet, we may, with the eloquent eulogist 
 at his funeral, claim the national clemency in favor of his 
 memory. 
 
 That he has rendered his country important services can- 
 not be denied: — And, of his disinterestedness, we have 
 strong, presumptive proof, in his dying poor ! Especially, 
 when we consider, that he was at the head of the treasury 
 department, when the funding system was established; which 
 he scorned to turn to his personal enjolument, at the ex- 
 pence of the war-worn soldier • though others, under his ob- 
 servation, were making it the mean of acquiring vast es- 
 tates : And, when we farther consider, that his mode of liv- 
 ing was not in the style of ostentation and prodigality ; but 
 conducted on a plan of moderation and economy. 
 
 We can indeed, hardly suppose, that he could have 
 enjoyed so much of the confidence and friendship of the 
 discerning, virtuous Washington, had not the evidences of 
 his attachment to the liberties and interests of his country 
 been strong. — The extraordinary funeral honors conferred 
 on him by the city in which he had been brought up, and 
 where he held his fixed residence ; and the tears .shed at his 
 death, by its weeping thousands, who knew him well, have 
 proclaimed to the world their esteem for his public charac- 
 ter, and for his many virtues. Even the printer, who had 
 ranked vsith his most violent opponents, now comes forward, 
 in a maniiCr honorable to himself, but peculiarly so to the 
 deceased; and acknowledges him to have been a man of 
 consummate worth, as well as of pre-eminent talents. 
 
 Among 
 
17 
 
 Among his virtues, justice, candor, magnanimity, cle- 
 mency, mi benevolence, appear to have held a high rank. 
 Piis spanng the lives of i he British soldiers who defended the 
 redoLibcat York-Town, taken by storm under his command* 
 at a time when the cruel conduct of the enemy, at New- 
 London, called aloud for retaliation ; has erected a monument 
 to his humanity, which the ravages of time will not 
 obliterate.«-In one instance, however, in a former part of 
 Jiis life, his virtue, by his own acknowledgment, was found 
 defective ; and the exposure of his life, in the fatal duel, 
 which brought him to the grave, cannot, in a moral view, 
 be justified. 
 
 We have not any particular account of the o-eneral's at- 
 tention to religion, till near the close of his life;"and indeed, 
 from the circumstances already noticed, there is reason to 
 think, that however he might have believed its truths, and 
 venerated us principles ; it had not exerted its vital influence 
 On his soul, until about that period. But the accounts fur- 
 nished by two eminent ministers of the gospel, who attended 
 Jhim in his last scenes; and especially, that by the Reverend 
 Mr. Mason, one of the most pious, evangelical, and able 
 JJivines on the continent, give us abundant reason to believe 
 that he died a real christian. To bishop Moore he professed, 
 that_ he had, for some time, entertained an intention of 
 uniting in the communion of the church : And his reluctance 
 to engage m the duel ; >is disapprobation of the practice* 
 Irom moral principles, strongly expressed to his second, to 
 both the clergymen, and previously committed to writing; 
 and his fixed determination not to injure his opponent, while 
 he exposed his own life— are strong indications of a mind 
 under serious impressions of religion. But the representa- 
 tion made by Mr. Mason, of his cordial assent to the most 
 peculiar and important doctrines of the gospel ; his sense of 
 sin,andtheneedof a Saviour ; his reliance on Christ's atonina: 
 blood, for pardon and acceptance with God ; his fervent 
 prayers for mercy ; his exalted sense of the riches and 
 iieeness of God's grace ; and his enlarged charity toward 
 tne man wao had occasioned his death, and toward all man- 
 ^nd— afford pleasing evidence, in favor of the sentiment, that 
 .Lf e.^penenced a gracious change, and was in a 
 
 state ot reconciliation with his God. 
 
i8 
 
 In the midst of all our grief, for the loss of this truly- 
 great man, and most valuable citizen ; this consideration, 
 that there is just reason to hope his desembodied spirit has 
 entered into the realms of eternal light and glory, is to our 
 souls, as would be the most reviving cordial to our fainting ani- 
 mal life : — Or rather, as the genial influence of the great 
 luminary of the natural world, when rising with all his 
 effulgence, after a dark and stormy night, chases the 
 darkness and disperses the clouds — so this christian hope, 
 consoles our grief, dispels our fears, and opens to our mental 
 view, prospects, which shine bright with bliss. 
 
 And didst thou Hamilton ! in thy last hours, embrace, 
 with a grateful heart, the hope which sovereign mercy gives 
 to every truly penitent sinner ? Wast thou content to venture 
 thy everlasting all, on the atoning blood, meritorious righte- 
 ousness and prevaling intercession of the gracious Immanuel ? 
 Did thy great soul willingly submit to his authority ? And 
 hast thou, through his all-sufficient merit, and renewing 
 grace, obtained meetness for an inheritance among the saints 
 in light, and found admission there ? — We rejoice with thee 
 in thy happy change ; and hail thee, escaped from the 
 storms of life, and landed safe on the peaceful shores of 
 everlasting rest ! Nor would we forget, to unite with thee> 
 in ascribing all the glory to God and to the Lamb ! 
 
 But yet, turning our attention back to earth, and to the 
 interests of those who still inhabit this vale of tears ; we 
 are again constrained to exclaim — How is the mighty 
 fallen ! — How 1 — Was it by the act of God, that this great 
 man fell ? Or by the hand of a public enemy, in the tented 
 field, and in defence of his country's liberty; when en- 
 dangered by foreign war, or domestic insurrection ? No : — • 
 It was through the influence of party-rage; and by a 
 practice, handed down from barbarous ages and nations ; by 
 which even they were disgraced. — When, America ! When, 
 O, my country ! shall these evils cease to afflict thee !? 
 
 The practice of duelling, brought so affectingly inta 
 view, by General HAMiLTON'suntimely, lamented death* 
 requires, at this time, a serious consideration: And it would 
 be inexcusable in the conduct of a gospel minister, while 
 
 performing 
 
19 
 
 performing the service, which is thi'' day allotted to me, to 
 pass this cruel custom over unnoticed; or without attempting 
 to fix your attention on its great, and, 1 fear, growing 
 evil. 
 
 How much precious blood has it been the means of shed- 
 ding ? Of how many valuable citizens has it deprived the 
 nation ? What a spirit of resentment, and false honor, has 
 it promoted in the community at large ? And how many im- 
 mortal souls has it hurried into eternity, unprepared; to ap- 
 pear, with terror and despair, before the tribunal of their 
 righteous, offended Judge ? 
 
 I pass over the distressing scene, which is exhibited in the 
 case of a man, who has fallen in the contest; and lies wel- 
 tering in his blood, in the near views of eternity ; agoni- 
 zing, under the conviction, that he has sported away his 
 life in a cause, that serious reflection, and his conscience, 
 cannot justify. I attempt not to describe the horror and re- 
 morse of him, who, for a little, or supposed affront, has 
 slain a worthy man ; perhaps, his, heretofore, esteemed, 
 and bosom friend. I open not to your view, the distresses of 
 a disconsolate family, dissolved in tears, for the loss of its 
 faithful guardian, and prudent director; of the affectionate 
 husband, and fond parent. I dwell not on the insult offered 
 by this horrid practice, to the majesty of the laws — thus in- 
 sulted, even by magistrates and legislators themselves; who 
 should be the guardians of its rights and honors ? — But I 
 must call for your particular attention to the consideration 
 of its moral turpitude, and pernicious consequences; as 
 they affect man's chief duty, and everlasting interests. 
 
 Has not the God of heaven forbidden murder and re- 
 venge : And do not these evils, notwithstanding all the re- 
 finements which have been attempted, by the reputed men of 
 honor, form, in fact, the basis of the practice ? Will not, 
 also, the righteous, eternal Sovereign, enforce the sanc- 
 tions of his laws ? Or can we, rationally, suppose, that our 
 ten thousand talents will be forgiven ; when, to exact a tri- 
 fle, we are ready to seize a brother by the throat ? Hard, 
 indeed, must be the heart of that man, who, from a princi- 
 ple of resentment, for some comparatively small injury, 
 C 2 done 
 
20 
 
 done to his per'on or honor, can consent to plunge a fellow 
 creature into everlasting ruin ; or, to quit his own station of 
 duty, assigned by providence, and his eternal hopes, to 
 gratify the inhuman passion. What injury, ipdccd, to his 
 honor, can an individual sustain, in this sliort lite, which 
 will justify the conduct? 
 
 J do not n-:can to say that reputation is of little moment. 
 No; it is of vast consequence to man; and will, ever, be 
 scrupulously regarded by the virtuous mind : I'ut let ic be 
 supported by such means idcve^ as arc worthy of a rational, 
 immortal creature. Against brutal force, a public enemy, 
 the hand of the robber and assassin, wc'arc, no doubt, jus- 
 stified in employing force for our defence, :u the risk of the 
 :v,T;-c;res5or ; but in a state of civil society, the whole of our 
 personal interests should, according to the ordinance of 
 God, be committed to the guardianship of the laws. 
 
 Of the advocr.tcs for duelling ; I would ask : What are its 
 great advantages ? Js it the test of courage .? Alas ! ** Cow- 
 *' ards have fought ; cowards have conquered; but a coward 
 '' never forgave !" Men of tlie most genuine, tried cou- 
 rage, have been known to reject and hold it in contempt : 
 The heroic colonel Gardiner could say, to his proposed anta- 
 gonist — " Sir, you know I am not afraid to fight ; but I am 
 *' afraid to sin.'* Jn fact, there is ren.^on to conclude, that 
 want of courage to face the censure and obloquy of the 
 imwise, brings many to the field of private combat. 
 
 Js it the regular, or eiTectual method of punishing the 
 guilty, and of vindicating the cau:e of justice? Jf so; 
 how is it that the aggressor so often triumphs; and lives, to 
 sUiTer the censure and contempt of all wise and good men, 
 as well as the reproach of his own conscience ? 
 
 Is it the proper test of rcf ned sentiment and virtuous 
 lionor? Why, then, are duellists so ofcen charged, and ap- 
 parently, in justice, with such a variety of imn-.oral, d^- 
 honorable actions; while others, who are utterly averse to 
 the practice, are deservedly esteemed, confided in, and re- 
 vered, for their virtue and refinement. Indeed, it rather 
 ssems, that men are prepared, ordinarily, to be duellists, 
 
 in 
 
21 
 
 ill proportion as they lose the finer feelings of the heart; are 
 freed from the restraint of moral and religious principles; 
 and fill! under the dominion of pride, ambition, malice, 
 and revenge. 
 
 But with some, perhaps with many, it is a sacrifice of 
 their own principles and feelings, to what they consider the 
 public sentiment. This appears to have been, precisely, the 
 c.ise with General Hamilton : And presents us with a 
 spectacle, too aifecting to be minutely surveyed. That he was 
 wrong, he has not left for me to declare. — 
 
 Let none suppose, that his pointed disapprobation, and 
 severe censure of duelling, expressed with his dying breath, 
 were the eltects of weakness, or religious melancholy, oc- 
 casioned by the ebbing of life : For however weak in body, 
 he appears to have been in the vigorous exercise of his in- 
 tellectual powers. The truth to be regarded here, is this we 
 
 are frequently fascinated, and thrown into a delirium, in a 
 moral'sense, by the glare of life ; but awakened to right views, 
 sentiments and feelings, in the near prospect of eternal real- 
 ities. — Oh, that he had lived to execute his benevolent 
 purpofe, of exposing the evil of this penicious usage: Or 
 that I possessed, on this occasion, his irresistible eloquence, to 
 plead against it in the cause of justice, humanity and re- 
 ligion 1 
 
 This subject claims the serious attention of our legislators. 
 Let them frame their laws so as to do the most ample justice 
 to the injured honor, as well as to the person, and property 
 of the citizen : That the reasons assigned for duelling may, 
 as much as possible, be prevented. Ilut, at the same time, 
 let the lav/s operate, with such precision and force, against 
 the practice, that those who have the temerity to infringe 
 them, may not escape with impunity. 
 
 Too often indeed, a prevailing principle, or sentiment, 
 originating in the spirit of the people, proves in its operati- 
 on paramount to law : The practice proceeds, and the law- 
 lies dormant, to the disgrace of the government. This, it 
 is feared, will be the case respecting duelling; unless the 
 public sentiment and taste a.-e corrected, 
 
 Gciitlcmen 
 
2« 
 
 Gentlemen of the Cincinnati ! who have done honor to 
 yourselves, and to your country, in the profession of arms; 
 from whom the sentiments of honor, as connected with 
 courage, must take their tone in society : Patriots of the 
 Revolution, and supporters of its principles ! To whom the 
 interests of your country and of humanity are dear — ^ is there 
 no expedient which your wisdom can devise; which your 
 patriotism and religion will approve; and which your cou- 
 rage can enforce — to bring this barbarian-practice into 
 disuse, and to the disgrace it has demerited : No expedient 
 by which, a man of virtue, when placed in the late situation 
 of the lamented General Hamilton, may appeal to a 
 tribunal of justice, and of honor, for redress, under the 
 smiles of an approving public ? Perhaps there never was a 
 period, since we became a nation, which, from a general 
 concurrence of public sentiment, was so favourable to such a 
 benevolent attempt, as the present. 
 
 But I must add, in the words of Solomon : *' Whatsoe'ver 
 your hands find to doy^ in this and every important transaction 
 of life ; and especially, in your preparation for eternity ; 
 *' Do it ^ith your tnight /" for death is on his way, and will 
 soon arrest us. 
 
 Think of it with seriousness— my dear hearers ! Regard 
 it with profound attention — O ! my soul. Soon must we 
 lie down in our clay-cold bed, and be held in iron slumbers 
 «« till the heavens are no more !" Soon shall the commission- 
 ed angel lift up his hand to heaven, and swear by the 
 unutterable name, that time shall be no longer. The trump 
 of God shall sound — the dead shall rise — the world shall 
 burn ! — Then shall the Judge Eternal ascend his dread tribu- 
 nal — his righteous, irrevocable sentence shall be passed— 
 and the everlasting states of men be unalterably fixed ! 
 
 For these interesting, and awful scenes, may God of his 
 infinite mercy, prepare us, through Jesus Christ our Lord ! 
 
Xj