True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1858-01-20
Order Of Nature and Providence

SNSNASSe~NS'
It is sometimes impossible for the most
infdel mind to resist the impression, that
there is mysterious connection between
mind and matter, between the moral char.
acter and conduct of man and the material
creation around him, which causes them
to act and react upon each other, produ-
cling concord and peace, or discord and
war. In other words, when the mind Of
man runs riot, and morality and crime
overspread the earth, nature herself seems
to imbibe the demoralization, and in
storms and earthquakes, portents and
wonders, overleaps the laws which regu-
late her operations, and partakes Of the
disorders which afflict the moral world.--
1t was mans fall, as we are taught in the
Scriptures, which brought pain and death.
disorder and confusion into the natural
world; and the death of our Saviour by
the hands of wicked men, was attended
by darkness and earthquakes; and may
not The Christian and Philosopher, even
of our day, without the imputaliOn Of su-
perstition, believe, that through some iD.
visible and inscrutable connection between
the moral conduct Of man and the crea-
tion around HIN, his gross and general
departure from truth, honesty, and order,
throws nature herself into confusion, and
produces apparent distress in all her mem
bers. III
Butas relates to the object we have in
view, it is quite immaterial whether this
notorious coincidence between the disor-
ders of the moral and physical world,
spring from the general law which makes
it impossible that one portion of our Ma
ker's kingdom can be convulsed without
disturbing the other, or be referred to a
special Providence. If natural couvul-
sions and extraordinary poftents, regular.
Iy or usually follow departures from the
principles Of morality by masses Of man.
kind, it is immaterial whether they spring
from the La,U of God, or the WiNof God
whether they be the result of an un'
cbangable rule, or Of special dispensation'
10 the offender, man, il is all the same
It is enough for him 10 know. that he
cannot violate the moral law without oc
casioning pain, and suffering, and convul
sions, not only to himself, but 20 his ia
mily, his fellow men and the world a
round him. s
Who can look at the history and desti
ny Of the nations and kingdoms Of ou
world, without being impressed with th
truth Of this providental arrangement
We need not go beyond our own countr.
nor back Of the present national admins
nation, and the means employed to brin
the party into power, to find living ex
emplifcalion Of this principle.
What were the means employed in ev
cry large city, and town, Throughout
the length and breadth Of The land, to sc
cure the election Of the present Chic
Magistrate Of the nation Let the record
ofperjury and drunkenness, witness
the everlasting disgrace Of This, professe
christian nation, answer the question:
And what are the effects which are bein
developed every day, as the administra
ton is proceeding in its work Of death :
The country is now agitated from cer
ire 10 circumference, by variety Of III
mos, vital questions; and this agitatic
is not the result Of mere struggle b
tween two political parties, for ascence
deney. but j. is a dsGtL struggle, in Il
sery heart Of the victorious party. II
Kansas controversy is growing hotter al
fsrcsr. IS the time approaches for Co
gressiOnal action; and the Utah quesii'
il losing none Of iIs interest, while u