The guilt, folly, and sources of suicide : two discourses, preached in the city of New-York, February, 1805 / by Samuel Miller.

  • Miller, Samuel, 1769-1850.
Date:
1805
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The guilt, folly, and sources of suicide : two discourses, preached in the city of New-York, February, 1805 / by Samuel Miller. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the National Library of Medicine (U.S.), through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the National Library of Medicine (U.S.)

    18/80
    war is another. But it is possible, in either of these cases, to court death foolishly and wickedly. We are bound to use all lawful means to preserve our own lives; and, therefore, he who, in any case what- ever, destroys his life, or who permits it to be de- stroyed, when he is able, without denying the truth, or abandoning duty, to save it, is chargeable with the whole guilt belonging to the crime which we are about to consider. Perhaps some of my hearers will say, What in- terest have we in the discussion of such a subject? Does the preacher suppose that we are capable of that miserable insanity, either intellectual or moral, which actuates the self-murderer? Let him rather direct his reasoning and his rebukes against the numerous other crimes to which we, or our children, may be in some measure exposed. But let him not take up our time in showing the evil of Suicide, against which every feeling of nature presents a barrier, and of which every dictate of reason shows the egregious folly. Brethren, be not deceived! Every individual who hears me has an interest in this subject. Who can foresee the situations in which he may hereafter be placed, or the temptations by which he may hereafter be assailed? Or who can tell how soon the conduct of a near relative, or of a valued friend, may bring the subject home, with the deepest in- terest, to his bosom? It is probable, that the most of those who have fallen into this deplorable sin,