The history of Lynn - Lynn Massachusetts Genealogy Project

186 HISTORY OF LYNN. [1798.persons were found on the Beach ; and, on the eleventh, theywere conveyed to the first parish meeting house, where an affectingsermon was preached, by the Reverend Thomas GushingThacher, from Job 1, 19. During the delivery of the discourseMr. Cameron stood in the centre aisle, where he was addressedin the following words." You, my distressed brother, exhibit a principal characterin this tragedy. I would not add to your already oppressedbosom ; I would rather administer the balm of comfort, theconsolations of friendship and sympathy. Of this awful event,you alone are " escaped to tell us." You see before you thelifeless corpses of your worthy commander, and those of yourcomrades in toil and distress. You see that, though perfectstrangers, we participate your sorrows and wish to alleviatethem. How great, how singular the providence, that fromtwelve men, you alone are spared. You now stand before Godand this great assembly, in his temple. What then will yourender unto God, for all his benefits ? By a continuance of thesmiles of Providence, you may now expect again to beholdyour friends and connexions. You will be the melancholymessenger of melancholy news. Perhaps I may never see youmore ; certainly I do not expect again thus publickly toaddress you. Let me then most affectionately exhort you, bythe solemnities of a dying hour, as you value your own soul,and by a regard to that Providence which has preserved you,to repent of all your sins, and to turn unto the Lord JesusChrist, on whose merits alone are founded our hopes of pardongrace, and glory. The Lord bless you ; the God of Abrahamof Isaac and Jacob bless you, my brother."The bodies of the eight drowned men were then buried inThe body of Mr. Johnone grave, in the old burying ground.MacRecber was afterward found, and deposited beside them.On the twenty sixth of July, Abigail Witt, a child of Mr. Dan-R Witt, was drowned.On the twenty fifth of August, as several persons were sailingiel1798.in a boat, in Saugus river, a gun was accidently discharged,and Amos Ballard, aged eleven years, a son of Mr. JohnBallard, was instantlykilled.In the prospect of a war with the French government, the