Page:History of the University of Pennsylvania - Montgomery (1900).djvu/288

284 Richard Duncan Joseph Syng George Gostelowe John White Swift Henry Kepley [Keppele ?] Thomas Tresse Matthew Jackson John Wooden Joseph M' Ilvaine Thomas Moore William M' Ilvaine Thomas Woodcock William Merrifield John Fullerton George Morgan Alexander Fullerton Robert Montgomery William Falkner Lindley Murray John Knox William Rush John Montour Samuel Smith Richard Stanley Gillis Sharpe

But in the midst of preparations for the long looked-for first Commencement, the Provost's eloquence as a preacher brought to him an invitation for another of his special sermons from Colonel Stanwix who was about starting with the forces under his command to the Frontiers. 1 The Colonel and his command attended in Christ Church on 5 April, 1757, when William Smith preached his Discourse on " The Christian Soldier's Duty ; the Lawfulness and Dignity of his Office ; and the Importance of the Protestant Cause in the British Colonies," from St. Luke iii. 14. "such are the words which were recommended to me on the sub- ject of this discourse." 2 It is an able argument on behalf of the Christian Soldier's Duty, and an eloquent plea for the rightful- ness of human warfare under circumstances of defense and op- pression, and one which the necessities of the colony at the time 1 " On Tuesday last the first Battalion of the Royal American Regiment marched in their several Companies to Christ Church in this city ; where, after Prayers by the Rev. Dr. Jenny, a sermon was preached to them by the Rev. Mr. Smith, Provost of the College, at the request of their officers. As the subject was important, there was a very solemn attention in all present ; and the Colonel has requested that the sermon may be published, which will be done with all possible Expedition." Penn. Gazette, 7 April, 1757. 2 Discourses, London 1759, p. 97.