The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-08-11
NOT NOW, BUT HEREAFTER.

AS we stand before the unrolling scroll Of Gods
providences, there is often struggle to know why
he does or permits this thing or that This tur-
MOL of earth this conflict of holiness with sin, Of
light with darkness-this apparent overwhelming
of good by evil-these sufferings Of the excellent
of the earth which so often cover it as with pail
of sorrow-these early and sudden deaths, often
the removal of those whose presence seemed most
necessary-these bitter disappointments that come
upon us-the slow advance of the kingdom of God
the apparent indifference of God to the prayers
of his own children we stand before these mystic
ries, and question them but they are dumb. Why
| is this?
| Some of these ways of God we cannot know from
absolute incapacity. We have not the powers to
understand them, and by no language, no signs
could God communicate the knowledge Of them
An explanation, if given, however true and full in
itself, and however clear to the intelligence of an
angel, might only involve US in greater mystery
than before.
But, then, it cannot be denied that there are
other things which could be understood if they
were revealed Why is the knowledge of them
withheld? 1t may be of daily use in our walk
through life to keep in view some of the answers
which may be given to that question.
Perhaps it may be to rebuke vain curiosity
perhaps to try our trust, and see if we are willing
to take Gods word where we do not know. 1t
may be that He has ends which would be defeated
if we were allowed at present to know more. It's
evident that giving US all knowledge so that we
may understand all mysteries, is not the main
thing which God has in mind in his dispensations
with us here below. He has ends above and be-
yond that And in connection with this there is
the important fact to be marked, that we already
know more than we practice. Our intellects are
better than our hearts. Our curiosity is greater
than our faith Our hearts need to be brought up
even with our heads-our faith with our know
ledge. We need to learn the duty of trusting God
more than we need an increase Of understanding
Let us take more constant and loving lessons in
this, and comfort ourselves with that good promise
of the Master-"What do thou knowest not
now, but thou shalt know hereafter. There is a
world where many things shall be cleared up, and
many questions answered that cannot be answered
here Some of the ways of God that were once
dark, are perhaps even now clearing up. We are
growing more into the knowledge of Gods provi-
dence We are getting little more around to-
wards the Illuminated SIDE Many a child of God
has bowed before the dispensations of God as very
| dark, which in his advancing piety have become
| all light to him. What he knew not he now
knows very WELL and knowing loves and adores the
more.
Still, other things await the light Of eternity
In that heaven where ''the glory of God doth
tighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof, it
will be plain enough We shall there see that this
dark calamity which suddenly overshadowed us
that the loss of fortune which put US to sore straits
that those days of wearisome sickness-that the
terrible trials and temptations through which we
passed, had great deal to do in leading us to a
better world Nothing that befell us could well
have been spared The Lord now, as of old, leads
his people by right way, that they may go to a
city of habitation,
In what has been said it is not meant that the
'deep things of God" will be all explained when
heaven is reached Profound studies await us on
that farther shore" Mysteries will be darken-
ing and clearing away rising and setting in steady
procession forever Wherever God is, there is and
will be mystery for "who by searching can know
the Almighty to perfection?" When we shall
have gone to the farthest point, the exclamation
viii be just as appropriate as in the days of Job,
'LO, these are parts Of his ways, but how little
portion is heard of him.
Let us see the wisdom of waiting quietly. The
clouds will presently roll away. We shall know if
we will wait Weshall know more when the know
ledge will be best for US.