The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-08-07

Sermon by Rev. DIR. Isaac WescOtt ON the
Wesifeid Disastcr--Nobody to Blame Rus
the Company and Those Who Went Out
i'm Violation of the SabhatA.

Sermon by Rev. DIR. Isaac WescOt ON the
WesifieId Disastcr--Nobody to Blame Rus
the Company and Those Who Went Out
in Violation of the Sabbath.
There was large congregation present last even
ing at the Plymouth Baptist church, in West Fifty.
frs street. to hear DR.. escot lecture the West
field disaster. In the course OF the prayer he
alluded TO it, and begged God TO direct the actions
of those investigating the matter that the blame
might 1al where it belonged and this horrid thirst
for gold give place to some regard for human life
The text was taken from l. samuel, xX., B. "There
is but step between me and DEATH"
These words, my friends, were used by David when
pursued by the followers Of Saul. Death is uncer.
tain and sudden; seldom do we have any warning
oil Its approach; fully Is this illustrated by what took
place here week ago.
Let us go back week and visit the gates OF the
Staten Island Ferry Company. See the eagerness
displayed by the crowd enter and to secure good
positions on board the boat, and thus get q
cnance to breathe the freshening air from
the bay. The jovia merry song and JEST the
coarse remark or hoarse laugh Is heard all sides.
In such place one always some one that parti
cuariy attracts our attention. over here stand
lady aud gentleman, seemingly from England. Upon
inquiry 1t appears that they upon their wedding
and arrived at New York Dut three Gays before.
They surely MAD plenty Of time 70 spare ana
MIGHT HAVE TAKEN SOME orHER nay
than Gods day Tor pleasure trip. Hc-7 ~ a
group OF seven children sitting around their ther.
She cautious them to stay her. but nvc %
stray away, fortunately. The time tor starting
comes, ana there is heard rumbling ana kissing;
the upheaved deck preciptates scores into the
water. Not Que knows what has happened or has
any judgment TO think. Some are struggling IN the
water some are on the deck, while down IN the hold
~ seetbng, struggling mass OF human beings. II
possessed the best descriptive powers the world
could not describe TINS horrible scene to you; an
angel would latter did he attempt IT, What caused
thsY Not Gods providence | believe In a God
that surveys all things ana lie mad no more to do
win IL than ourselves Ii the cursed thirst for
gold. Ministers stand up before the conRreg ations
and say II was due 10 my sterious Providence.
GOD HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH IT.
IL was an incident OF life, the penalty OF God for
SIN ~ tie death OF the soul after the death Of the
body; sunerings are incidents OF life. God forbid
that should exculpate railroad and steamboat
companies; am director In none of them. IL was
caused by detective boiler or detective engineer,
or both; IN either case the company owned one ami
hired the Other and they Will find IL hard to con.
vince an intelligent pubic that they were tree from
blame. have read the testimony over very care
fully, and IN the sight Of God think
THE COMPANY RESPONSE Brar.
The engineer is not 10 blame; II rasts with the
company They have stated that but 400 were on
Ine boat, but there were 1913 killed and wounded
many ran away nnburt, and the tide setting out at
Dlglt probably carried of many bodies There are
several lessons 10 learn from this; We must COO