Historians often begin interpreting a given document by asking who produced it, under what circumstances, and for what purpose. When that information is not available, it can be more productive to begin with a close reading of the document itself. This pamphlet was published anonymously in late 1793 and offers a clear opinion of the root causes of the yellow fever epidemic.
There was never perhaps a more gloomy season, never a period more pregnant with calamities, and “big with death,” in the city of Philadelphia than the present. Her streets are become desolate, and the goodly prospect quite reversed! Was there ever a time that called with a more audible voice, for a sudden, sincere, and unreserved reformation? The wrath of the Almighty seems inflamed against this City — his wrath impregnated with death! — His fiery indignation scatters terror around! — The light of his countenance is hidden from us — his long suffering patience is at length exhausted — his mercies slighted — his gospel despised! At length the sword of his indignation, the sharp two edged sword of wrath is unsheathed. And his vindictive justice must be satisfied. His thunders armed with triple horror and vengeful fire, sleep no more; but hang impending over our guilty heads, replete with mortality….
I know there are many who attribute this awful Contagion to natural causes, and ridicule the idea of a supernatural agent: but I conceive, we may clearly trace the finger of God in our chastisement. Although his ways are a great deep to mortals, and sometimes dark and inscrutable to finite intelligences; yet here his wonder-working wisdom is manifest, and those who are dispassionate, and not wholy blinded by the god of this world, may behold omnipotent vengeance carried on. — Let any one of my readers lay his hand upon his heart, and ask his conscience if he has not contributed his share in provoking the wrath of almighty God: if after an impartial examination he receives an acquittal; I salute him as a thrice happy soul! and pronounce, that he need not tremble at the approach of any pestilential disease, however deadly, nor death itself with all its frightful apparatus!
The present afflicting season most strikingly depicts, the amazing folly, and fatal delusion of those whose affections are inordinately attached to the fluctuating, unstable enjoyments of a vain world. These solemn seens of mortality will lead us to reflect that there is no permanency in any worldly pleasure…. DEATH, is truly an all-eloquent preacher, it convinces powerfully, when all arguments have been wielded to no purpose — it points and says, “Be ye also ready!”…
The Almighty has been pleased to extend his afflicting arm over the city: yet he hath scourged us for our good. His chastisements are like that of a father to a beloved son, in order to reclaim, and turn him from the broad way of destruction. For though he causeth sorrow, yet he will have compassion, according to the multitude of his tender mercies. Our crimes had provoked him, and he sent forth his ministers of wrath. We saw his correction — we beheld his frowns, and we ought to acknowledge his superintending care, with fear and trembling…. He therefore, in compassion for us, instituted disease, pain, affliction, distress, and judgments, as monitors and ministers to effect our convictions of the depravity of our natures, and absolute need of a Savior.
Source: An Earnest Call: Occasioned by the Alarming Pestilential Contagion, Addressed to the People of Philadelphia (Philadelphia, 1793).
Evaluating the Evidence