The Grand Haven news. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1858-18??, 1863-08-19

for his inheritance. Since this earth
has been the scene of his humiliation
and sorrow, so it hast been decreed
that it shall be the scene of His
grandest triumph, the theatre Of His
power and glory, the place from
which he shall collect His richest re.
wards and brightest honors. The
Son Of God is "Iead over all things"
All rule, and all authority, and all
judgment have been committed to
him. Throughout this wide, goodly
creation, amid the myriad agencies,
activities, interests, governments, land
enterprises that make up this vast
living world, all persons and things,
sovereigns and subjects, nations and
individuals, derive their importance
and achieve their destiny only so far
rs they are connected with the Saw
iour King, and arc made subscrvient
to the accomplishment of His purpo-
ses. Observe the extent Of the prin-
ciplc that is affirmed, not only that
there is Divine government which
presides, with n wisdom that never
errs, land arectitude that never bends,
over the affairs and fortunes of the
world-a government which, in this
life executes its judgments upon civ
il communities according to their
obedience or disobedience, but that
that government has been given into
the hands of the exalted Mediator,
that He may direct its progress,
wield its resources, and execute its
plans, i'll f1rthcrance of His own
kingdom and glory. The scepter
and the sword have been surrender
cd rs His due, and all things in time
and in eternity are placed in service
and homage at His feet. Buff this
world is verify sacred to Christ; if
the responsibility of nations to this
King Of Kings is no idle dream and
if in the retributions of His Provi-
dence, nations are remarkable and
punishable in this life, or not reward
able and punishable at all, for the
faithfulness or the umfaithfulness with
which they exercise that responsible
ity, then does it follow that nations
rs well rs individual men, are vile or
precious, strong or weak, perisha-
bic or enduring, just as they are, or
are not connected with the blessed
and only Potentate, the Prince of
the Kings of the earth; just as they
are, or are not in alliance and coven-
ant with Him; just as they mingle
or refuse to mingle with the counsels
and operations of His redeeming love
for blessing and saving the world.
This is no mere speculation. The
word of God is most clear and full in
its revelations on this subject, not on
ly laying down the principles on
which the Most High acts, in His
moral and judicial administration of
the world, but also illustrating that
principle by special and multiplied
examples. In the sacred Scriptures
are explicit predictions of the retri-
butive overthrow of Egypt, Assyria,
Babylon, Tyre and Sidon, Edom,
Moab, Amalek, Canaan, and Israel.
The causes Of that vengeful over
throw, are with equal cxplicitncss
assigned; and these are all resolva-
bic into the rejection in one form or
another Of the sovereignty of Christ.
The corruption of His truth, the per-
secution of His people, the dofiance
of His authority, the contempt ofEIis
mercy, the disowning of His provi-
dence, the subversion Of Justice, the
oppression of the weak, the practice
of idolatry, the prevalence Of ungod-
Illness, dependence on an arm of
flesh, the pride and self-sufficiency
that exalt and magnify themselves
against the Lord, these were the i'm
pcachments laid against these DOOM
ed nations these the causes Of their
downfall. Guilty rebellious people
were cast down, that all men might
know that He and He alone is the
Lord, and besides Him there is none
else-that He reigneth and judgcth
on the earth-that His scepter is a
scepter of righteousness-that He is
p Jealous God-that will not give
His glory to another-and that eth
er in mercy or in judgment, either in
the redemption of the righteous, or
in the overthrow of the wicked, He
only will be exalted among the sons
Of men.
If we are guilty of the sins for
which the judgments of God have
come upon other nations to their
overthrow and destruction, then un-
less we repent, the time Of our des-
truction is ut hand. But if we put
away our sins, and God be for us,