The introduction of sin has made man a foe to his own species. I name this first, because it is more immediately connected with the design of Job, in writing the text. He says, the murderer rising with the light, killeth the poor and needy, and in the night is as a thief. v. 14. In consequence of such desperadoes, with bloody hands, no man, night or day, is sure of life. The history of the world gives us too many instances of such dark crimes, and I will mention the FIRST on the page of Scripture, and the LAST in the annals of our city. The FIRST was Cain, in slaying Abel. After this righteous person had offered sacrifice unto the Lord, and received a token of the divine approbation, if any one may have been sure of life it was he; for he had never seen the face of death in any form. But, Cain was very wroth, and while they were walking together in the field, Cain rose up against his brother and slew him. Here was the first death; the first murder; and, the first martyr for the worship of God. The LAST, which occurred in our city, was James Murray, a traveller, who entered the habitation of Johnson for safety and repose during the night, no doubt considering himself sure both of life and protection; when, in the dark season of night, while the weary traveller was locked in the arms of sleep, Johnson lifted up the fatal axe, and Murray sunk in blood and death!-War, Pestilence and Famine, are public calamities, which, age after age, have destroyed millions of the human race. The army advancing to the field of battle, not knowing the certain events of the conflict, or the will and hand of Providence; or returning after conquest, are not sure of life. Some of us now present, bear in our memories, the ravages of dreadful pestilence within the borders of our city. From the year '95, this foe has repeatedly walked in darkness, and at noon-day, wasted our inhabitants, and carried such destruction in its contagious breath, that in the year '98, upwards of two thousand were swept to their graves in two months! At such dreadful seasons, when our citizens arose in the morning, such was the general impression, whether at home or abroad,

that each would say to his neighbour, no man is sure of life, whether he should escape the polluted atmosphere in the day, and in safety repose with his family at night. Whether such dreadful visitations have produced their desired effects, or, that it may be said of us, the people turneth not unto him that smiteth them, neither do they seek the Lord of hosts: let the moral state of our community determine. Isa. 9, 13.-Were no such public scourges to be laid upon us, every sick patient in this Hospital knows, that our frail and sinful bodies are subject to so many and various diseases, that none of us are sure of life. And of some of them, as the palsy or the apoplexy, these are so rapid in their progress, and so instantaneous in their consequences, that each may say, there is but a step between me and death.— To all these may be added, the elements of nature; EARTH, AIR, FIRE, and WATER. These, confessedly, are all absolutely necessary to human existence and comfort, but are frequently turned into the instruments of death. How often has the EARTH quaked, and by its convulsion, thrown down cities, towns and villages; burying beneath the ruins of houses and temples, numbers of their inhabitants while in the enjoyment of health and prosperity; or, by opening its ghastly jaws, swallowed the whole without a moment's warning! AIR, raised to a tempestuous motion, not only smote the four corners of the house in which Job's sons and daughters were assembled in festive mirth, and by its fall crushed them to death, but has likewise produced its well known ravages in every country. FIRE, in various forms, has preyed upon its victims, while WATER, whether in the ocean or in the river, has received in its bosom, millions of the human race, and formed their common grave. Thus, the very elements which God hath created for the use and benefit of mankind, can at his command, be turned into the instruments of destruction; no doubt, to convince us of our ingratitude and rebellion against him, and that clouds and darkness are round about him; righteousness and judgment are the habitation of his throne.

B

The calamity which we this morning deplore, was produced on board the Etna, by the combination of two elements. The water filled the boiler; the action of fire upon the water created the steam; the explosion of which, partially destroyed the vessel, and occasioned the death of our fellow creatures. This, of course, dietates me to introduce a short narrative of this melancholy event, presuming it will not only claim your attention, but produce corresponding impressions upon the mind of every hearer.

Ir is by no means my province to make any observations on the machinery of the Steam-Boat; the construction of the boiler; the degree of its steam; the manner in which she was governed; or, the occasion of this lamentable accident. Disasters of this description speak aloud to all, interest our most sympathetic feelings, and demand a corresponding improvement. From this impression, I esteem it a duty devolving on me, to draw the general outlines of this calamity, and communicate to you some of those solemn and interesting sentiments expressed by the more immediate sufferers in their dying hours; in the devout hope that they may convince you of the frailty of life, and the imperious necessity of being prepared to meet your God.

Had I been on deck at the departure of the vessel, opened my Bible, and then read to the assembled passengers, the words of my text, "no man is sure of life, possibly it might have been deemed premature; each one anticipating a speedy passage, a safe arrival at the city, and a warm reception to the bosom of their friends. How inscrutable are the ways of God with man! How unforeseen are the alternate changes of prosperity and adversity, of life and death, which attend our paths! So true it is, we know not what a day may bring forth.

At seven o'clock, just as the sun was withdrawing his enlivening beams, and the passengers were within sight of the city and anxious to arrive, instantly the centre boiler fbursted with an explosion more dreadful in its consequences, than the voice of thunder from the clouds! So tremendously -violent was the concussion, that the iron machinery was broken; the deck torn from its timbers; the various accom

modations for passengers were destroyed, and the fragments scattered in every direction, exhibiting a complete devastation. But what were these, when compared with the horrible destruction of human beings! The impetuous steam, in its fury, rushed into the after cabin, which was allotted for the safety and repose of the female passengers. Several of these were instantly, scalded to death, and lay prostrate in the most shocking mutilation.

Relentless death that, steel'd to human woe,
With murd'rous hands deals havoc on mankind;
Why, cruel! strike this deprecated blow

And leave such wretched multitudes behind?
Hark! groans come wing'd on every breeze!

SHAW.

This cabin was not the only place where destruction and misery were produced; the infuriated steam in a moment filled every other apartment, and destroyed every thing which obstructed its course. Some human beings were externally scalded and torn, while others still more unfortunate, by inhaling the steam, were literally filled with its direful effects, and incapable of expressing the anguish they endured. The cries and shrieks of the sufferers commenced with the subsiding of the steam, and penetrated the souls of the few on deck who had escaped the furious deluge, representing the disaster more dreadful than the strength of language ean describe! How much is life at the disposal of Jehovah! How unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! Although the substance of this tale of woe was communicated to me by three of the surviving sufferers, they were obliged to confess, that it was little more than the shadow, when compared with the reality of the horrid scene. Unconnected with their personal sufferings, such was the shock, the carnage, and devastation, united with the convulsions and shrieks of the other sufferers, that they presumed it next to impossible that either the havock or the feeling should ever be obliterated from their memory.