Excerpt from Evil Tendencies of the Present Crisis: A Discourse, Delivered July 4, 1847

We know but very little of the state of mankind, during the sixteen hundred and fifty six years before the flood. The history of the whole of that period is condensed within the compass of six short chapters. But, brief as is that history, it is long enough to give us some idea of the overwhelming tide of iniquity, which preceded the deluge of waters. If we are not particularly informed respecting men's acquaintance, at that time, with the arts and sciences, we do learn that they had advanced far in wicked devices. Whether they were, or were not, wise in Geology and Astronomy, is a matter of conjecture, but it is certain that they were wise to do evil. How sad, how appalling the moral picture of the antedeluvian world, as drawn by the inspired penman!

We read that as God looked upon the earth, he saw that it was "corrupt, " "filled with violence, " - that is, with the fierce outbreaking of base lusts and passions, he saw that "every imagination of the thoughts of man's heart, " or, his every intent and purpose, "was only evil continually." It is said, "There were giants in the earth in those days, " - by which may be meant, giants not so much in stature, as in wickedness. There were Goliaths, perhaps, in bodily greatness, certainly, in heaven daring iniquity. There were Sampsons in sin, if not in strength.

And what an insight into the depravity of the antedeluvians is afforded by our text.

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