The independent. [volume] (Oskaloosa, Kan.) 1860-1874, 1861-01-16
THE LESSON OF HISTORY.

ana interpreters VI ScTiPtuIe,ds " }" n''
Prophecy pointed out concerning the
period cf the world commencing with
the year 1860. Since that time the
news of the capture Of Pekin. the capi-
Isl of China. By the French and Eng
lish, gives additional evidence that there
is great probability. at leas..in the cor
rec,ness of those interpretations Of the
later prophecies.
We nowpropose 10 look at another
phase of the question-thas which is
revealed through the pages Of History.
If there is any one thing more clear
ly revealed by the records Of the pas,
than another, it is tia, God deals with
the nations. In all ages and among all
peoples this has been the case. From
the day that Adam WIS driven from
Eden for his sin and fall until the pre-
sen, time. an overru!ing Providence has
Sc, up and pulled down kingdoms.
Tie sate-deluviars were made the
subjects of his wrath The sacriligi-
Gus projectors Of the Tower of Babel
we're ,urned from each other in con!u-
sion Of speech. and the babel Of Ian
guages or tongues TO the present day
s.tes,s the far-reaching judgments aad
purposes Of the allwise Ruler Of the
world. Egypt was scourged and her
wicked king and his hosts oyer,hrown,
because they would not let cnslased
Israel so free. Cyrus was called BY
name many years before his birth, a>
tie deliverer of captive Jews from
Babylon. All the great kingdom. were
forstcld hundreds of years before they
were known. and through the whole
chain Of events. whether he rise and
fall Of empires; the conquests Of re-
nowned warriors. or whatsoever else.
was deemed Of importance. the hand o.
God vas everywhere made manifest.
guiding. ruling. shaping. oyerturning.
And it has been ever siuce, and will
continue TO be. until the ''mighiy an-
geF' shall "swear by him HAT livsth
forever that Time shal! be no longer"
In former times it required centuries
Cor nations to mature and work out
their destiny: but in these latte, days
Of printing pr~.~~. aud ..e~,,, vine.
the limpid water gives power that
drives mighty vessels and drags the
rolling car as with the speed of the
wind. and when even the lightning is
harnessed To the viii OF men; nations
live fast and mature rapidly. Ccntu-
ries are compressed into span of years;
and retributions are mried out witt.
corresponding rapidity.
Egypt Was engaged four hundred
years in preparing for the days Of Mos
es, but il she had lived in The min. teenll |
century Of the Christian era. perhaps
fhy or one hundred years would have
sufficed to gil up the emp Of her iniquity |
Our own happy land has lived faster
than any other the sun has ever shone
spon. She has grown from three mil
lions TO more than thirty millions ia |
four-score years; and her wealth, fame
and greatness have multiplied even
faster than. her population. Evidently
tie day Of her first probation is now
drawing 10 close. She has become
proud with her greatness: and in the
spirit of vain glory hath ,sunted her
self exceedingly. until the heats of all
her sons and daughters have become
ii.fAted-pu;frd up with yanity-and
she has forgotten the God Of her !a;h.
sr.. whose hand prepared this glory for
her.
WHO that has listened to Foarth OF ;
July oralions and slump-speakers can
not corrsbora,e this statement. When
was patriotism ever turned im;o such "a ;
boat?
And now comes the day Of trial. As S
if 10 strike at the very foundation Of u
this national pride. the doctrine is Sci 4
up. that the States which form this d
Conlederscy are held by no a
binding lie. but at pleasure may 90 Out o
II the nsIion-that the UxIcx, which h
'as been the idol Of every patriot and K
bs ihenie of every politician. is mere f
'ubble. which can he burst and broken u
> the breath Of any set of disaifecied Ia
'sn who lore novelty or self promotion is
lore ll,an they do their country-lhat nd
,e bond which unites sud makes US a is
rsat nation. is rope Of sand. liable to
} washed away By every tide Of pub m,
sentiment that may be thrown up by ST.