THE
DUTY OF A CHRISTIAN PEOPLE
UNDER
DIVINE VISITATIONS.

BY THE
REV. NEWTON SMART, M.A.
OF UNIVERSITY COLLEGE, OXFORD.

“WHEN THY JUDGMENTS ARE IN THE EARTH, THE INHABITANTS OF THE
WORLD WILL LEARN RIGHTEOUSNESS.”

LONDON:
PRINTED FOR J. G. & F. RIVINGTON,
ST. PAUL’S CHURCH-YARD, AND WATERLOO-PLACE:
AND SOLD BY J. HATCHARD & SON, PICCADILLY; PARKER, & TALBOYS,
OXFORD; ANDREWS, DURHAM; CHARNLEY, NEWCASTLE;
RENNEY, SUNDERLAND; AND OTHER BOOKSELLERS.

1832.

LONDON:
PRINTED BY GILBERT & RIVINGTON,
ST. JOHN’S SQUARE.

TO
THE REVERED MEMORY
OF
ONE OF THE KINDEST AND BEST OF MOTHERS,
WHO
RECEIVED HER CHILDREN AS A GIFT THAT COMETH OF THE LORD,
AND PRAYED AND LABOURED,
WITH EARNEST AND FAITHFUL DILIGENCE,
TO BRING THEM UP IN THE NURTURE AND ADMONITION OF THE LORD,
THIS WORK IS INSCRIBED
WITH THE DEEPEST FEELINGS OF FILIAL LOVE, GRATITUDE,
AND VENERATION.

“THE MEMORY OF THE JUST IS BLESSED.”

THE
DUTY OF A CHRISTIAN PEOPLE,
&c.

Isaiah x. 3.

“WHAT WILL YE DO IN THE DAY OF VISITATION AND IN THE DESOLATION WHICH SHALL COME FROM FAR?  TO WHOM WILL YE FLEE FOR HELP?”

The aspect of the times, upon a careful survey, presents, to the thoughtful mind, cause of anxiety for the safety and welfare of the empire; and, to the religious mind, ground for apprehension, lest the Almighty should be about to visit, for the sins of the nations, by “pouring upon them the vials of His wrath.” [3a]  In the emphatic language of our Lord’s prediction of the latter days; there is, throughout Europe, “distress of nations with perplexity; men’s hearts failing them for fear; and for looking after those things which are coming upon the earth.” [3b]  In this country, to an alarming state of popular excitement, there has supervened a new cause of dread, so great, as almost to absorb, for the present, all subjects of merely temporal interest.  A fearful and most fatal pestilence, which had extended far and wide in Asia, has been gradually spreading throughout Europe, and steadily advancing towards our shores: there exists a difference of opinion as to whether or not it has reached them; but thus much is certain; an epidemic, similar in character, and hardly less malignant and fatal, has broken out in one of the seaports of the kingdom, and extended to some of the neighbouring towns and villages; thus appearing to establish its identity with the Continental disease.

Under circumstances so calculated to produce general apprehension, and so full of danger to the community at large, it becomes a matter of vital importance to enquire, What is the course a Christian people should adopt?  To such an enquiry, the sincere Christian,—who is satisfied, that the safety of nations and of individuals is, at all times, in the protection of the Almighty; and who believes, that the sword, the famine, the earthquake, the tempest, and the pestilence, are but instruments in the hand of God to execute His sovereign and gracious will,—may justly reply in the words of a prophet of old, speaking in the name of the Most High: “Therefore, also, now saith the lord, turn ye even to me, with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning.  And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the lord your god: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil.” [5a]  And how is a whole nation to be called upon to humble themselves before God in the day of their visitation?  Let the same Prophet return the answer; “Blow the trumpet in zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly, gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders, gather the children.  Let the priests, the ministers of the lord, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, spare thy people, o lord.” [5b]

As the Almighty, “with whom is no variableness, nor shadow of turning,” [5c] is “the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever;” [5d] as “whatsoever things were written aforetime, were written for our learning; that we, through patience and comfort of the Scriptures, might have hope:” [5e] let the people of this kingdom, strong in faith, raise, on an appointed day, their united voice in prayer; and in the language of sorrow, humiliation,