Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1864-11-26
ThanksRlvInE an WhsslinE.

| Pastor of the Fourth Street Method8t
EpiseopaI Church, Nov. 24t6, 1884.
The text was from the 18th Chapter of
Revelations:
"Iheard as 1t were the voice Of great multitude,
and as the voice Of many waters and a. the voice o.
ds sy Pss:acSb Let rs BE- Sad and
joiee, and give honor 70 Him.
Also from the 4th chapter of Daniel:
Grbs Most High ruleth in the Kingdom Of men,
and Ryeth IL WhOmsoever he will, and setteth up
| over It the bAsest Of men"
After remarkiDg that on a similar and
somewhat recent occasion, he had called
attention to the reasons why, as nation
State aud community, We should re-
joice with trembling and sing of judgment
as we'll as of mercy, the preacher pro-
ceeded to show from the above words, why
as a church, as families, and as indiVidu-
ais, we should, in connection with and
above all things else. rejoice and 'fud COM
fort in the doctrine of Code sovereign rule.
The recognition of this truth, he remarked,
while 8 duty of tue highest Importance, was
too frequently and with fatal consequences
overlooked. An illustration of this was
furnished in connection with the text last
quoted. Northumberland from an obscure
monarchy had, by s series of rapid tri-
umphs, raised his kingdom to almost uni
versal empire. Syria, Assyria, Phenecia,
the Land of Israel, Egypt and Arabia, had
in succession yielded to this victorious
arms. Though not the founder, he had
yet so enlarged, strengthened and adorned
the city that he might almost be
said to have built Babylon. Unmindtul of
the claims of Heaven, and elated by his
success in war and prosperity in peace as
he walked in the palace of the Kingdom
of Babylon, the King spake, and said, 'Is
not this great Babylon that 1 have built
for the house of the Kingdom, by the
might of my power, and for the honor of
my majesty 2" Poor man. The very mag
nifcence and splendor of his reign was his
ruin, until BUNDLED, repentant, and with
recovered reason, he acknowledged Him
who is King of King and Lords of Lords.
This doctrine implies of necessity that
Of the divine existence. In few thoughts
was exposed the absurdity of those who
come by chance. Nor was much more
time given to those who attempt to ignore
the Divine existence and control, and as.
cribe everything to the ordinary laws of
nature. In the history of the world, events
have taken place which the laws of nature,
so-called, cannot account for, and which
can only be referred to the presence and
agency of a great First cause. Geology
and kindred sciences clearly demonstrate
that there was time when organic alton
and lite on this earth had theiE beginning.
Not having been here before, whence came
they2 The laws of nature do not account
for the introduction of a new species or
family among those formerly in being,
much less explain the beginning of life
| itself, in world which, to comparative.
ly recent period, was absolutely mani
mate. Nor was creation single act long
since completed, but acts innumerable,
reaching over vast periods of time AMI af-
fording abundant proofs, not only of the
Divine existence, but also of the continued
exercise of Divine power. It was also
shown that whenever we look in the ma
terial universe, we find the fullest evidence
of an ever present, ever acting Deity, the
Ruler of all things. % -.
In connection with some inquiry as to
hoW God rules, some time was then de-
voted to an exposure of the vagRries Of
polytheists whether Pagan, Jewish or Pop
/ ish, who parcel ont the world, among tutes
/ lar demons, guardian angels, or patton
saints. The fact that God does employ
various means and agents in his govern
ment of men and nations was allowed with
out conceding anything to the above per-
verted notions. Angels, saints aud even
devils may be used as instruments to exc
cute His pleasure. Yet is he independent
i
to the council of his Own will. Nor is his
rule arbitrary but governed by the infinite
| perfecti0us of his own character. God rules
in power-evidenced by the magnitude of
the effects he produces; in wisdom-prov-
ed by the simplicity of the means through
which he brings about the most stipend.
Gus results; in lovs-for creation, provi-
dence and grace alike have for their final
end the elevation, perfection aud happiness
Iof - SF1S for ha GgNEyfl
render unto every man according to his
Deeds" But we must not make our mar
, row and faiIible judgments the measure OF
Gods Justice. We have no line to sound
the depths, or strength of wing to rise
above the heights of his couusels. We see
the present only and but little of that, and
even that not very clearly. He sees the end
from the beginning, distinguishes the real
from the apparent and in very ''unexpected
ways makes oil things work together OF
good to them that love Him." Il,
. To Christian patriots the doctrine that
God rules is especially consoling at such
times as the present. Ofnations as well as
individuals it is true that twhom the Lord
. Iloveth he chasteneth." While the flames
rage round he still Sustains and puriies
and in his own good time and way gives
them a happy deliverenoe from their
Notwithstanding even the wrath of man to
praise Him and bringing light out OF dark
ness, and good out Of evil. Many of His
dealings may be to US mysterious and in
, lexpIicable, but while the splendor of the
8abylonian, the unalterable mandates OF
the Medo-Persian, the luxurious refinement
of the Greek aud the destructive energy Of
the Roman empires, have passed away and
many other states and kingdoms which
thought to triumph and exalt themselves
have been brought low. he is slowly bni
steadily and by means not always the mos
} likely preparing the way for the bringing
! in aud establishment of q kingdom which
can not be moved-the spiritual, universal
and everlasting reign of Christ. Ofoue
thing we may be assured. The part which
this nation is to bear in this great work
will be glorious or ruinous just as the peo-
pie and their rulers are mindful of thai