Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1850-04-15
COMMUNICATION.
For THE VINpIcAToR.
THE DISPENSATIONS OF HEAVEN, DEM
OCRATlC OR EQUAL.
BY A. A. Sewers.

LIE lSTENCA IONS VT uEAV Elm OLN-
OCRATlC OR EQUAL.
by A. A. Sewers.
THERE is an infinite sum of blessings which
have not yet been included in the account and
these, like all the richest gifts of heaven, are
open and free 10 all. lmean the gifts, the viz
tues, the blessings of religion.
1t has, already, indeed, sufficiently appeared,
not only that the inequalities in the alotments
of Providence are attended with a system of
compensations and drawbacks, which make
them far less than they seem and also on ac-
coun. Of the vast blessings which are dif1used
everywhere and dispensed to all, that inequali-
ty, instead Of being the rule of the Divine deal
ngs, is only slight exception to them. But we
come now to principle that absorbs all other
considerations. Virtue, the only intrinsic, in
finite everlasting good, is accessible to all. If
there were ever so strong and apparently just
charges of Partially against the Divine Provi-
dence this principle would be sufficient to vim
dictate it. ooh, God ~ exclaims the Persian
poet, Sadi, Shave pity on the wicked for thou
hast done everything for the good in having
made them eood.'
How false and earthly are our notions of what
is evil ! How possible is it, that all advantages
besides religion, may prove the greatest calami-
ties How possible is it, that distinction, that
successful ambition, that popular applause, may
be the most injurious, the most fatal evil that
could befal us? How possible that wealth may
be turned into the very worst OF curses, by the
self-indugence, the dissipation, the vanity or
hardness of heart that it may produced And
there lisa judgment, too, short of the judgment
OF heaven, that pronounces it to be so-the Judg-
ment Of every right and noble sentimental all
good sense-of all true friendship. There is
friend, not fatterer, who, as he witnesses in
| some one. this sad derection this poor exulta-
ton Of vanity, this miserable bondage to flatte-
ry, or this direful success of some dark tempta"
tion who, as he witnesses this, will say in his
secret thoughts, with the Persian sage, ooh,
God have pity on the wicked have pity on
| my friend Would that he were poor and unno-
| ticed-would that he were neglected or torsak-
en-. rather than this ~ 1t is therefore, matter
of doubt, whether those things which we crave
| as blessings, would be really such to us. And
then, as to the trials of life and oh, how many
are they-their unequalled benefits a suffi-
cient answer to every objection that can be bro't
against their unequal distribution.
We hear it said that there is much evil in the
world and this or that scene of suffering is
brought as an example of the partial dealings of
heaven, and it is felt if it is not said, perhaps,
that Goods ways are unequal" But the strong
est objector on this ground, think, would yield,
it he saw that the attendant and fruit ofall this
suffering wore a fortitude, cheerfulness, a
heavenliness, that shed brighter hues than those
OF earth, upon the dark scene Of calamity and
| sorrow. | have seen suffering, sorrow, bereave-
raent, mputation of crime, all that is darkest in
human fortunes, clothed with virtue SO bright
and beautiful, that sympathy was almost lost in
the feeling Of congratulation and joy. | have
heard more than one sufferer say, II am thank
full God is good to me-" and when heard that,
said, 'It is good TIC be afflicted" There is in
deed much evil in the world; but without it
there would not be much virtue. The poor, the
Sick and the afflicted, could be relieved from
their trials at once, if it were best for them; but
if they understood their own welfare, they would
not desire exemption from their part in human
trials. There might be world of ease and in
diligence and pleasure, but ''it is a world; from
which, if the option were given, a noble spirit
would gladly hasten into that better world of
difficulty and virtue and conscience, which is
the scene of our present existence"
In fine, religion is a blessing so transcendent,
asto make it of little consequence what else We
have OF what else we want. 1t is enough for us,
it is enough for all for him who is poor, for him
who is neglected, for him, who is disappointed
and sorfowtu !; it is enough for him, though
there We're nothing else, that he may be good
and happy forever. In comparison with this, to
be rich, TO be prosperous and merely that, is the
most trifling thing that can be imagined. is it
not enough for us that we may gain the precious
treasures OF the soul; when Inc world cannot
give nor take away that the Joys and consola-
tons and hopes of the Spirit and Gospel of Christ
may be ours? Has not he sufficiency is not
his blessedness complete, who can truly say,
"Whom have I in heaven but thee, and there is
none upon earth that desire besides thee all
things else may fail--my heart may lose its
power and my strength its frmness-but thou
art the strength of my heart and my portion for
ever"
The lesson my readers, which these short es-
says lays before rs, is this: To learn that we are
all partakers of one lot-chiltren of one Father
to learn in whatsoever state we are, Herewith to-
be content and therein to be grateful. Oh, the
blessed example of St. Paul Let is fix our af--
fections con things above" and then, though
some may want and others may complain; tho
dissatisfaction may prey upon the worldly and
envy may corrode the hearts of the Jealous and
discontented /; for us there shall be sufficiencv
indeed for us there shall be a treasure which
the world cannot give, nor change disturbs-san
Inheritance incompatible and ndefiled and that
tadeth not away"
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