Litchfield enquirer. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1829-current, 1846-07-23
FaspFcflL, pRofIDENCEs.. ~

SAtion of vkRrrAs." published IN our las,
having very naturally ELECTED the attention
of the "moral and religious" portion of the
community, it will not be out ofplace to say
a few words on the subject Of which that
article treats. Il is one of no common in
terest and importance, aud from its nature
is very likely to be perverted or miSunder-
stood. The simple fact, however, that
Gods sovereignty and mans free agency are
seriptHre sdectrines, will not, we think, be
called in question by any intelligent believ-
er tn the, truths Of revelation. HoD these
fundamental truths can exist together, and
to what extent are legitimate topics of lheo-
logical inquiry and discussion. That the
Sovereign of the Universe can, and does,
override all events, mot excepting even the
thoughts and actions Of men, to the accom-
plishment of his own great designs, is clear
ly taught by religion and reason; and yet
every man is conscious that he is response
Die for his own ,deeds-that he acts indepen-
IDENTIFY, so far as he knows, and is uncoerced
| by any snperhuman influence. With Him,
there is no such thing as chance or accident,
for all events are forseen BY Him, and occur
by His permission, though not all of them
with His approval. The /" laws Of nature''
(Which some have even substituted for God
himself) are, in their operations, but a series
of general or special providences-are con-
trolled by Him for the filrtherence OF His
purposes-and whatever man may do to
''thwart the divine will" IIe win continue
to bring good out of what was meant for
evil, and cause even the "wrath of man to
praise Him."
| We cannot think, with our correspondent,
that a belief in Especial providencc,n any
more than belief in the Bible, is "rehc
transmitted to US Of the superstition of the
dark ages" The words, "this is the
Lords doipgs," "the Lord gave and the
| Lord hath taken away" "Shall we receive
lgood at the hand Of God, and shall we not re-
ceive evil,"." 1t is the Lord, let him do wha,
seemeth him good,n and other similar pas.
sages are to the point, and are of frequent
occurrence in;lhe Bible. And the subject is
doctrinally presented in the texts-"I make
peace, create evil, ] the Lord do all these
! things" & OF him, and through him, and to
him, are all things" His kingdom ruleth
over .all,' Not a sparrow falleth to the
ground without your Father" Let our cor
respondent examine these texts in their con.
,nectfon aud he win find that they cover
nearly every species Of human events-sick
ness, death, war, peace, theft, tempest, effects
lofdfghtning, insanity. &C., &c. .....-. .
! We do not think further discussion Of
the subject in our columns would be eithe,
profitable or desirable--but would simplv
remark, in conclusion, that in our view the
doctrine of Especial providence"-t is
OF actual and sovereign Divine rule in the
affairs of men-furnishes the only rational
ground for faith in the efficacy of prayer, the
only reasonable encouragement to attemp,
tine relief of the sick or the rescue of those
IN danger, the only safe and adequate point
Of repose with regard to the operations of
nature OF the intricate system of human
agencies and events. God works by means.
He absolutely pledged himself to the safety
Of fl Pa a,l and his comPany-yet was it equal
true that" except these abide in the Ship
they could not be saved. In short, ".he
better portion of society, the moral and re.
ligious," will not feel necessitated to rever.
tothe, "dark ages" for proofs of the truth OF
this doctrine. ~ ''-l 'r""@. 'r .t.~...