"SENTIMENTS PROPER TO THE PRESENT CRISIS."
[To THE EDITOR OF TEE " SPECTATOR."] • append two extracts from Robert Hall's sermon, " The
Sentiments Proper to the Present Crisis," preached at Bristol on a general fast-day in October, 1803, appointed on outbreak of war with Napoleon. The sermon contains many other passages similarly appropriate to our present position.—I am,
"Engaged with such an enemy, no weak hopes of moderation or clemency can tempt us for a moment to relax in our resistance to his power ; and the only alternative which remains is, to conquer or die. Hence that unexampled unanimity which distinguishes the present season. In other wars we have been a divided people; the effect of our external operations has been in some measure weakened by intestine dissension. When peace has returned the breach has widened, while parties have been formed on the merits of particular men, or of particular measures. These have all disappeared; we have buried our mutual animosities in a regard to the common safety.. . . Partial interests and feelings are suspended, the spirits of the body are collected at the heart, and we are waiting with anxiety, but without dismay, the discharge of that mighty tempest which hangs upon the skirts of the horizon, and to which the eyes of Europe and of the world are turned in silent and awful expectation. While we feel solicitude, let us not betray dejection, nor be alarmed at the past successes of our enemy, which are more dangerous to himself than to us, since they have raised him from obscurity to an elevation which
has made him giddy, and tempted him to suppose everything within his power. The intoxication of his success is the omen of his fall."
"I cannot but imagine the virtuous heroes, legislators, and patriots, of every ago and country, are bending from their elevated seats to witness this contest, as if they were incapable, till it be brought to a favourable issue, of enjoying their eternal repose. Enjoy that repose, illustrious immortals Your mantle fell when you ascended; and thousands, inflamed with your spirit, and impatient to tread in your steps, are ready to swear by Him that sitteth upon the throne, and liveth for ever and ever, they will pro- tect freedom in her last asylum, and never desert that cause which you sustained by your labours, and cemented with your blood."
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