Portland gazette and Maine advertiser., 1810-04-23
Communicating.
Reflections on the Times.

~
WHILE the cslamities of war are pre-
vaiiing among the nations of Europe while
proud and assuming tyrant is aiming to
extend his power over the western, as well
as eastern hemisphere while the spirit of
discord is destroying the happiness & pros
perity of these United States, and the
minds Of the citizens are engaged in devi-
sing means Of gratifying their worldly de-
sirea--some in PecunIary concerns, and 9TH
ers IN striving for the mastery in our public
affairs while passion and revenge are con-
trolling the mild and peaceable disposition
of the christian heart is it not incumbent
on us all to inquire whence these evils
spring Should we not eye the hand of the
great Governor of the world, who orders
all things according to his sovereign will
Tie writer Of this is led to these refec-
tions By the late perusal Of discourse prea-
ched BY an eminent Divine, on an extraor-
binary and affecting event, fom the fifth
chapter Of Isaiah, and the twelfth verse -
-AfAs tfAC NtH ~ IAA tftC pfOSs ELOIGF - PPC,
= and rUiHe, are in their frasts but they regard
",Ig. he work Of the Lord, neither consider The
"oberation Of his hand" A few extracts
from it, will not, to pious reader, be I'M
acceptable, although communicated through
the medium of a newspaper. To all, they
are certainly important, and none can deny
that they are worthy of attention.
1. Those who take 10 notice of the ope-
ratiOns of God i'll the affairs of human life,
| abuse their reason and their better powers,
both as men and christians Our eyes and
our ears, and other senses Of the body, are
given us to take notice Of the outward OBJ
iects that surround Us, which are the springs
| Of pain or pleasure, and these we enjoy in
common with The beasts OF the earth. They
| employ their powers for the same purpose
| But ian was made for nobler principles, &
F., capacitated 90 discover and discern the hand
! of God his Creator, and to observe his SUI
| preme direction Of all the affairs of man
| kind. Though he be raised by the station
of his nature to smore honorable character
than the rest Of the animals, yet if he re-
mFIn without understanding, and thought
less Of his God, he becomes ike the beasts
| hlat Perish. PSAl. xxxxix, 90. Men who ,e-
Y ard not ne operation Of The Lord, nor consider
The 9oork fhis hand, The Lord zviH DESTROY them
md not huila item ut. Psal xviii, S.
:" Those who disregard the work Of
God in the events Of human life, deprive the
| great God himself, of that honor which he
demands, and expects, especially from his
more important providenoes. Do not his
sAbiiIse wisdom, his extensive goodness, &
iis almighty power, display themselves glo-
rlousIy N his providential government Of
mankind And is it not with this design,
| lhat his Intelligent creature man should take
notice oFthis display Of his glories II Does
The great God write his own name in every
leaf u his two great volumes of nature and
providence, and shall his creature, man, take
no notice il, and refuse TO read it!
3. They bereave themselves Of the rich
advantages that may be derived from such
converge with God about the events of hu-
man life, and faithful notice of divine pro-
| violence. Whoso rs soise, says the PSaimisf,
and 7uiH o6se, re thsse things, eUea they shall m
4eystand the loUug kindness Of The Lord. Psal
evil. As. They zgho lean 10 kaoyo his name,
b. arse attendance TO his zvorks, qpill PIT they
trust IN him. FsAL tx 10.
"4. Those who regard noi the vpoyk d the
Lord, provoke hi's to deprive them of all the
blessings of life, and to abandon them to NJ
ter rum.
How can they ever hope that the Lord
To what purpose are all The manifesto