, 1874-08-02

i P0DSNAPPERY.
'sMr Podsnap WAS sensible OF lts being re-
quired OF him to take Providence under h1s pro
lection; consequently, he always knew exactly
ybat Providence meant. And it MAS very re-
markable land must have been very conforta'
ble) that what Providence meant was invariably
| what Mr. rodsnap meant"
| This will answer Us an accurate de1ineation Of
many preachers who nro nothing if not tho inter-
prefers of Divine Providence ''1nferior men
might fall short OF that mark, but Podsnap Was
always up to it." And when lie is in the pulpit
be comes to time with radiant self-eufhciency
and the utmost punctualty. No fox-hunter's q
crest could rise more proudly at the cry OF
| sYoiks! tally-ho!" than does his at the return
Of an opportunity to read the handwriting on the
wall or o1pcund the ways Of God to man.
Whether they are tho ways Of God in the ret1lbu-
tive sense in which Podsnap delights to use
them is question with which he never
troubles himself. Ee is too cunning to ask or
answer any question that would jeopardlzo his
theory Of the Divine government, and his func-
ltol5 ~ Alb 4 AA44i -1tAAA9%eAs A1NS Ss@eAS ""A~
ask although be may not, If our fires are de-
signed to chastise the unbeliorcrs Of Chicago,
why are the lalways among the worst suf-
fcrers and greatest losers? Aud if Dayton is so
wicked as to deserve q hurricane, why does the
proyidontial tornado smash churchfull Of Sun-
day-school children, and open the doors OF the
Peuitentiary to the conyicts? II the Plttsburs
leluge wns visitation upon that region for its
partialiry for Monongahe1a whisky, Why was
Temperanceyiue included in the path OF the
Nemesis?
The Popo attributes the eruptions Of Tesuvius
aud the inundations or the Tlber TO tho indig-
nation 81 of the Deity over the occupation of
Rome by Victor Emmanuel; but how, then, does
he explain the massacre OF Catholics iu Pasie
aud China. the destruction OF e Catholic town in
Spain by landslide, and the appalling holocaust
Of Catholics in South American cathedral?
1Ir. Spurscon tells US that an Evangelical
Clergyman ''writes to inform linn that the gout
ia sent to us as Judgment from God for op-
posing the Church Of England" WloSeupon
Mr. Spurgeon retorts 'sIf swollen leg proves
that mau is under Gods d:spleasure, what
would broken neck proye:" He tasks the
question with special reference to the late
Bishop of Winchester" who was thrown from
his horse aud instantly killed And yet His
Lordsup was loyal Prclato Of the English
Church, combining Ritualistic prochvities with
Evangelical intolerance! According to Mr.
Spurgeon's admontory correspondent, he (not
the correspondent is to be carried off by the
next attack Of tho kings evil II he should not
be- what will become of the Church, and the
Bible, and Christianity? Mr.. spurgeou says:
"Despite tho fact that the writer claims to be a
clergyman, we arc no moro disturbed than it ho
had signed his name Zadkiel." This is good
rule, but the eminent preacher should remember
that, like every other good rule, it works both
ways" Hc has worked it one Way, somebody
may wo'l it another wny, and that way may be
to meet ar. Spurgeon's Podsuappery with the
came contempt with which he encounters that
of his Evangelical admonisher. He is rather
given to assuming toward his opponents, cs-
pecially toward "beretics and "Papists,' tho
same attitude that the Evangelica1s and nit-
nalsts nssume toward him. He does not hes
itate to tell his opponents exactly What the
Almighty thinks of them, although it is, OF
course, "the most painful duty Of his life," any
more than he hesitates to inform the Almighty
just what disposition He ought to make Of those
who set themselves against Him-Spargeon and
Him.
When the little boy lost his marbles in game
played during church hours. lis father said:
"Of course, God punishes you in this way for
not going to church. "And the reply was: But,
papa, neither did Bill go, and he has got my
marbles and his own tool" The boys logic is
none of the best, we admit, but it is exactly as
good as the fathers. It is tit for tat that may
bo reclioned upon by all persons who make Pod
snappery . basis Of religious instruction. II the
last rctort is not spoken it is thought.