The New York herald., 1877-09-10
THE CALAMITY OF FIRE.


SERMON OF REV. W. +. HATFIELD ON THE LAST
GREAT DISASTER.
In tho Eighteenth Street Methodist Episcopal
Church last ovening Rev. W. +. Hatfield preached
from the following text EccL TX, ll:--"Time
and chance happenetb to them ALL" The
reverend gentleman began by remarking that Solo,
mon in his observations ssd that "the race was
not to the swift, nor the battle the strong,
bread the wise riches men OF under standing,
nor iavor to OF skill; but that time aud chance
happoneth 10 them ALL" BY this word 'chance' we
are not to understand that whatever Details
the result of accident that beyond all human
or divine control; but that human plans likely
be hndored or frustrated. In this world no
dependence be placed upon tho things
that belong TO tho world; everything seems hinged
uncertainty. This leads TO tho question, often
asked whether II s governed by an intelligent cause
whether God has anything to do with human aairsy
There different opinions this subject Some
hold that God at tho beginning wound up the world
winds up clock and that it viii keep going
until the chain breaks or the machinery gives out.
This is iatalism which is not only at variance with
the teaching OF revelation, but with reason Tho
Creator has made large provision for and beast
aud bird and every creeping thing, and this ar.
CUES that God has not left man and tho
world TO themselves Others argue tha. every
thing occurring is the result OF chance.
A makes fortunes: people say he had good luck.
Another escapes narrowly with his lie, and il is said
of him his escape was by chance. But these
ideas contrary not only ~ the teachings OF the
Bible but to human experience Has industry and
foresight and prudence nothing to do with a mans
success? Has GOODNESS. judgment, courage and skill
nol hing to do with mans escape from burning
budingy Shall affirm that whatever takes place
forcordained and fixed and cannot be prevented that
a law as inevitable as death holds man and that he Is
doomed TO do in some particular way aod 1T fixed
tnoY This relieves man OF his responsibility and
cuscs him for carelessness.
A great factory is reared eight stories high and OF
such poor material that falls before 10 is half n
shod When it is done and wor, is carried on there
1t is known that materials arc used In the manufacory
Of combustble nature and not sufficiently guarded
from nre AZ they should be; that spark from ppo
cigar would ignite the materials, and there being
no adequate means for extingushng the flames,
large confsgrstion Is inevitable. And when fre does
occur had been predicted, will the proprietors OF
that building excuse themselves by saying 1t was all
and those pcrshed to die that wayy
Another question to be asked is whether shall
charge God with all that occurs. For every wrecked
train, burned ship or bulIdngs Is lie being without
feeling sympathyr This Is the idea that some peo-
pie entertain OF Cod The great fact must be admitted
that governed by certain natural laws which II
violated will result in harm TO the violator. Every
thing alrms the freedom ol amid all the dangers
TO which he Is exposed and procaims that he Is in
realm where he Is governed by physical as we'll as
Proydental law, and that 10 these laws he s amen
able IL a theatre or factory is burned down before we
make God responsible let us Grst ascertain the cause
Of the calamity and it can generally bo traceablc to
mans careessness. have been lod to consider this
| subject in view OF the recent calamity.
RECENT HORROR.
At talfpast nine O'Clock last Monday great factory
Joining tsnements aud licked them up with It's orked
tongue. spark carried by the wind fell upon the
Gospel Tent and that sacred enclosure, many
had been led TO upon better ifc destroyed
Scores of families were turned into the streets with
nothing left them but the clothes that covered ben
Some were consumed in the burning factory and were
killed in their attempts to escape whilc others
received injuries which VIII cripple, them for
lie. What does oil this teach? First. That
Fire is terrible enemy and cities the
man places in which he holds his revcls. He
laughs q, human woes and destroys millions with his
awful touch Since 1888 over forty millions of prop
cry have been destroyed IN this cty Pittsburg ten
millions in few hours; ror,land, Two tncqsana 40
erty laid waste; Chicago in ashes Boston's business
portion ruined. Now knowing how destructive this
play with IT, and building our houses put IN materials
that invite It, relying upon kind Providence or par
in one hundred has the necessary appliances for
tingushng q fire. We have water, but how lew
think OF having. pals Of IL so placed that II
Ia this factory lire the water buckets, II there
were any were empty; the hose was detached and
OF order and the greatest carelessness was mani
tested the part Of those whose business II was TO soc
that the things so essential the security OF life and
property were readiness for an emergency. From
the top floor Of every tenement, theatre or factory
there should be means OF escape as easy Us from the
hrst floor, and the manner IN which some OF thcse
large buildings are put up Is disgrace TO our cviiza-
ton and stain upon our character as an enlightened
and Christian people. 1t Isl pain u thought that mems
avarice more than anything else stands in tho way
OF these necessary safeguards and bot until law shall
be passed requiring that every building used for
habtaton or where trade carried on shall have somc
other means of escape than narrow passage way,
that the shall be open aud sufcient for all,
shall TO hear of terrible casualties resulting
from fire or it's alarm. ''Time and chance napponeh
to all " all have time to live, 10 make wrong right,
correct tho vllc tendencies OF nature and 10
make peace with God but all are exposed 10 the
uaies OF life The good and the bad the high and the
low are alike taken
Death rides in every passing breeze
Aud turks In every Hover;
Zach has its disc ase,
Its perils every hour.
CONFIRMATION.