OR, REFLECTIONS ON THE Loss of the Steam-Boat Home, October 9, 1837. A SERMON: DELIVERED IN THE SECOND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, On Sabbath morning, October 22, 1837: BY THE REV. THOMAS SMYTH, PASTOR. FOURTH EDITION. CHARLESTON: PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY JENKINS & HUSSEY, No. 36 BROAD-STREET. ENTERED According to Act of Congress, in the year 1837, by JENKINS & HUSSEY, In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the District of South Carolina. PREFACE TO THE FOURTH EDITION. Were time afforded, the author would be glad to enlarge the account, contained in this pamphlet, of some of the circumstances of the melancholy event to which it alludes, especially in reference to the Rev. Mr. Cowles, of whom his friends have learned several interesting particulars. He has, however, done little more than make some corrections. Were it possible for the author, he would also very gladly take this opportunity of removing whatever impression he may have left in any mind, in reference to the probable incapacity of the captain: but although he has examined every source of evidence, and received several communications on this subject, he has yet seen nothing to overthrow the united testimony of the many disinterested witnesses who have been examined. Without, therefore, deciding the question, he must leave it where he has placed it, and again express his hope that this, in connection with the other sermons published on this occasion, will have the effect of leading the public mind to a profitable consideration of this dispensation of Providence. INTRODUCTORY REMARKS. So great and terrible a calamity as the loss of the Packet HOME, and the destruction of ninety-five lives, should not pass by unimproved. It should, in every way, call forth attention and regard, that as individuals and as a community we may, out of this bitterness, extract the sweetness of wholesome profit. The citizens of Charleston have done their duty by the appointment of a Committee, to investigate the whole case, and report to them the result of their examination, and by their determination to take whatever other measures may be deemed most likely to prevent the recurrence of similar disasters for the future. As these, proceedings are to be all made public, and will, doubtless, occupy much of the public attention, it may not be unadvisable to consider the matter religiously, and to hold up to the general view those "lessons of eternity" which are, surely, no less necessary to save us from "making shipwreck" of our future and everlasting hopes. While we thus hear the voice of God and the voice of man teaching and admonishing us; while we are thus led to humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God, and to protect ourselves from the inexcusable perils to which we are exposed by the cupidity, or experimenting boldness, or the reckless indifference of men, we may hope that this whirlwind calamity, however desolating in its progress, and heart-rending in its consequent misery, will leave behind it, an atmosphere purified, a sky cloudless, and a city rejoicing in hope of future safety. Such are the views with which the following Sermon is submitted to the public. It was prepared under the excitement of the occasion, amid the multiplied labors of a most laborious profession, in a season of extraordinary engagement, and necessarily in much haste. It does not, therefore, pretend to elaborate or profound investigation. It is nothing more than a commentary upon this dreadful disaster as its text, and an application of it to the heart. As it was prepared for the services of the Sabbath, in that church of which the author is pastor, it would not have been ventured before the public had it not been publickly requested, and had not its publication been urged by numerous individuals, some of them not even connected with the author's congregation. Through their solicitation, and in the hope that good may be accomplished, it is now printed. |