The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1878-11-13
A sermon ON suicide.
REV. De. BowLEs ISpuLGEs IN SOME REFLEcrroSs
ON rHE SUBJECT.


REV. DE-. BowLEs rSpuLaEs IN SOME RErIHcrroSs
ON rHE suBJEcr.
Prom the san Francisco (califurnla) CALL
Rev. DR.. Bowles, the newly installed pastor of
the First Universalist Church. discoursed upon
suicide last Sunday in Pacific Hall, from the
text-"So Saul took sword and fell upon it,
/ Chronicles K, L. The whole army OF Saul, he
said, had fallen or fed before the Phistines. and
he was himself wounded. He feared probably
that being taken captive he might be put to the
torture. So be committed suicide. According
to Blackstone's de6nltion Of suicide, it must be
committed by person Of sound mind. Some
had argued that all suicides by that act show
themselves of unsonnd mIud, but the speaker
thought in many cases there was an evident con-
sideraton OF the circumstances which indicated
essential mental soundness. Suicide appeared to
be increasing. In some cases it seemed to be
almost an epidemic. The relative number of sui
cides varied greatly in different countries
| Germany coming first, France next. then Eng
land and the United States. The pumber OF
males committing suicide greatly exceeded that
of the females. There were more suicides among
| the merchants than among agriculturists, and
more among professional men, IN proportion to
| their number, than either. And. strange as ii
might seem, there we're more suicides 10 Summer
than IN Winter. Another singular fact was that
there were more suicides among Christians than
among Hindoos or Jews, and, among Christians,
more Protestants than Catholics.
The sources of suicide we're primarily consti-
tutional, but were Influenced greatly by surround
ings. Secondariiy suicide Is the result Of great
distress eliminating in despair. The loss OF dear
friends, of health. OF property, OF reputation are
some of the causes of suicide. In view Of these
facts, how, he asked, should we feel toward the
suicide? This is Of little importance to the sui
eide. but Of considerable importance TO our own
spiritual culture. The old philosophers Plato,
| Pythagoras and Socrates denounced the suicide
while Cato, Zeno and others approved the act
under certain circumstances. On the whole, the
pagan philosophers spoke in favor Of the act Of
suicide rather than against it. Under Christi
anity and British law very reprehensible and
unjustifable feeling was developed toward the
suicide. No matter what his previous character
had been. the suicides body was thrust through
with stake and was buried at night at the cross
roads. And this law held down to quarter Of
q century ago. and, though now obsolete, com
mercial traveller who committed suicide in Eng
land lately, was buried at night by the light OF q
candle. The preacher had no sympathy with thi:
feeling, and trusted that none OF bis hearers had
The feeling of pity should prevail rather than
that of adherence. We should think how great
mans agony of despair must be before he car
give up that great love of life which is natural &c
all. Far be it from him to encourage suicide, but
he would encourage charity. Suicide seems tc
be rebellion against God, who has said "Thor
shalt not kill'' without making self-murder 90
exception. The suicides act is generally gu
premely selfish but there are exceptions. A
notable case was mentioned in the papers re
/ cently-that of poor man, who, finding be could
not get his infirm wife into certain benevolent
institution because she was not widow, made
3 her such within halthour. There was this i'm
portant thought, which should never be forgotten
We cannot by suicide escape ourselves. If th'
spirit is immortal it endures. and 90 wherever il
may-commit whatever errors it may-amend
ment and reform are always possible.