300 CHAP. XIV. THE GRAND MORAL PREVENTIONS OF SUICIDE. For, though I fly to 'scape from Fortune's rage, Yet with no impious spleen my breast is torn. BEATTIE'S MINSTREL. Occasions of Suicide—Female Sex pitied—Deceivers warned, and the Wretched comforted—Crabbe's affecting Tale of Ruth—Judgment and Reason should rule in Affairs of the Heart-Tale of Constantia of Nottingham, in February, 1822, preparing a poisonous Draught, and preserved from Suicide by reading the Author's Sermon on Suicide providentially arrested.' IT is owing to the neglect of the word of God, to their ignorance of the proofs and evidences of Gospel truth, and the supports of true religion, that men are transported by the gusts of passion, roused by anger, stimulated by pride, carried away by resentment, maddened by revenge; and then, having been treacherously misled by evil companions, corrupted by atheistical principles, dissipated by neglect of religious duties, swollen with pride, vexed by disappointment of romantic speculations, goaded by reflection, familiarized to suicide in our demoralizing theatres, and by the frequent examples in the daily prints, they are goaded, beguiled, and hurried on, till, in a rash moment, they seize some deadly instrument, which terminates that life which no mortal power can restore, and destroy that immortal soul which worlds want wealth to buy. There is one case, among the female sex, in which the heart bleeds with pity over the distracted mind of a virtuous woman, who, unsuspicious of guilt herself, has by degrees been beguiled by the serpent smiles of the base assassin of her honour, who has broken the solemn vows by which he seduced her. Thou monster! who spoilest the lily purity of the flower thou hast caressed, and then abandonest it to be trodden under foot, thy account at the bar of eternal justice will be indeed tremendous, and thy doom awfully terrible. Thou drooping flower, whose delicate mind,' like the 6 rose-bud steeped in a shower,' hast been roughly and rudely swung and shaken by those who were 'Regardless of wringing and breaking a heart to thee would I speak a word of caution, admonition, and hope. Thou hast a Father in Heaven, who has infinite mercy to pity thy weakness, to comfort thy wretched heart, to support thee under disgrace, abandonment, and penury, and to raise thee up friends. Rush not unbidden into his presence; hope in him; and keep thy post till he is pleased to relieve and comfort thee: thou mayest yet be preserved to glorify God and do service to man. There are some griefs which cannot be told, and are too mighty for the soul to bear without the arm of Omnipotence to help us; but, perhaps, no case is stronger than that in which Might is right, and violence is law;' where authority would compel us to do that which principle and inclination violently resist, and where Misery and Wretchedness rise up before us as the monsters that will seize us upon refusal! Such was the touching case of Ruth, related by Crabbe; but I would preface the quotation by observing that, in such a case, religion should teach the oppressed to look up to a Father and a Friend in Heaven; and to think that He can make a way to escape;' and that, should a workhouse be our lot, it is better to sustain that in dependence upon God than rush unbidden into his awful presence! POOR RUTH'S HEARTRENDING SUICIDE. Ruth-I may tell, too oft had she been told Was tall and fair, and comely to behold; Gentle and simple in her native place, There was a sailor boy; and people said Then they would marry, but were now too late- Then were wives, maids, and mothers, on the beach, |