Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1870-01-25
Divine Providence.
No 6

est exercises o. the Christian heart.
Joy-Men the world often positively
and tauntingly speak of the religion OF the
bible as a gloomy religion, or a religion OF
sorrow. The fact is it is all radiant with
Joy because this doctrine is one of its found
alton stones. 1t is, we admit, rom first to
last a religion of self remuneration. But
what Joy in the world is there like the re-
nouncing of self worship and self depend
ence for the presence of God to the soul,
and the eternal assurance of His promise
that all things shall be ours in life and in
death? What joy like that Of being made
perfect, or complete, through suffering even,
like the great Captain Of our salvation, for
the nobler attachments and high exper-
fence Of our faith? He who has not this
joy is lost to all that is present in the pos
sibilities of our being He knows nothing
of that for which the soul was made. Often,
indeed here on earth we find the law in
our members that when we would do good,
evil ispresent with us, and this distils drops
of bitterness in the cup of our earthly hap
piness. But there is higher law absorb
ing and assimilating all else to itself. Ex-
perience proves the truth of our revelation
that, both here and in heaven, "The King
dom Of God is righteousness, peace and
joy in the Holy Ghost Here is fullness
of beauty, and bounty, and gladness forev-
err The christian has JOY untold in his
inheritance, which is incorruptble, unde
filed, and fadeth not away. And then here
we find, too, the only proper ground for
the exercise of gratitude for favors received.
This is one of the purest and noblest emo
tions of the soul What n zest does it add
TO life and how does it aid every other
noble aspiration and Impulse Of the heart
But once deny the universal providence OF
God, and to whom shall we be grateful for
the daily blessings Of life? They may not
have come from God; they may be Of our
own procuring; or we may have received
them from friends, to whom, of course all
our gratitude is due But if the idea OF
the constant providence Of God be true
if He not only is the great first cause, but
the constant Guide and Governor Of al!
things then we cannot be in doubt We
may aLeay5 know from whom our blessing
come For come in what manner OF il
what channels they may, whether with O
without human fundamentally, we know
that they are gifts of God, and that to Hin
we should render the tribute Of grateful
hearts. Whoever else may be entitled t
our thanks. we are never to forget tina
universal Benetactor who is both the au
thor and the giver of all our mercies. Her
also is the only ground Of true ,UJmissio
under trial We do not bow to blin
chance, or memorable fate, but submit wit
flial hearts to a kind Father. There
nothing but may be traced to perfect
wise, intelligent, and loving design toward
US. When we look at our trials, be the
small or great, as a series of events in tn
righteous providence Of God, designed t
educate us, and lead us onward: proceed
ing from His wisdom and goodness, II
heart, His hand, we have the highest re;
son to submit, and be contented with OIL
lot. We would not have the chain MARIE
or broken-not the smallest event woul
we change in its relations. And we ha,
Just as much reason for submission, so Fl
as providence is concerned, when tho
trials come upon us through the mediu
of second causes, or the agency Of wickC
men, as when we see that they come d
rectly from the hand OF God. For secor
causes are all of them under the directiC
of the Great first cause, and neither mt
nor Devils can do aught against US wit
out our Father. When we are afllict
through the maignity of wicked men
are of course under no obligation to su
nit to heBl-we may rightfully baI
them, and seek all lawful reparation
their hands; but we are under obligatio
to acquiesce in that overruling providen
which has permitted these trials thus
fall upon us, and without which not a sps
row falls, and not hair can be pluck
from the head of any creature.
Thus we are led finally to remark
6. A right vie0 Of the doctrine Of DiUi
Providence is that 1chich, more than anythi
else, giyes balance and rekiabtlityt0 christi
character. The doctrine is oneof the mt
practical things in the whole system of 0
religion. Through it the whole charac
of the man receives an element of stabil
which can be attained nowhere else 7
go IL &, a., Il.
broad, deep river, not noisy, but with
sistless sweep. He who is thorough
grounded here is a man to be relied up,
always ready for exigencies, and you
pect so see him rise to the demands of a
occasion. He is not one of those chang
BILE, tickle minded ones who are alwi
discontinued with the present and alwt
in pursuit of novelties. But he stands
on rock. There is a certain symme
and finish of christian education about
by which he is distinguished everywh,
1t cannot be mistaken. He has drs
deeply into the Spirit of Divine Cove
ment, and he shows the strength and m
ly proportions Of one who is approach
the full stature Of perfect man in CHI
Yes, take away this doctrine of Provide
and what have we left in which to trl
We are out at sea, away from land, W
out rudder or compass chart or star.
world around us is confused chao,
which the wisest of creatures can disco
neither ground or reason, end nor ain
Oh then give us back the universal,
providing providence of God then we
an anchorage ground of safety, and
dismiss all fears There is one at
helm now who knows under all circ
stances just what to do, and how to d
We have Sovereign on the throne wi
no artifice can deceive, and no power o
come; who will bring light out of dark
and good out of all the evil in the wo
who will cause even the wrath of ma
praise Him, and the remainder He
restrain. What breadth of foundatic
here laid. In such a Being it is the I
ilege of the christian at all times to tr
and trusting here-having a full, habit
all controlling realization of the direct
personal providence Of parent God.
most imperative want of the soul is
and the highest point Of right thou
and feeling, and development is attai
All fears are dismissed, anxieties rep
ed, and there is quiet waiting for tn,
posals of a Fathers will.
Thus we have enGeavored to study ;
thing of the nature and benefits of the
trines Of Gods providence in this wor