The Marietta journal. [volume] (Marietta, Ga.) 1866-1909, 1877-03-23
For the Marietta Journal.
THE NATION THAT SINS MUST
SUFFER- OR REPENT.


much has been said in both political
and religious journala, for and
against the sentiments uttered in
those resolutions. We shall have
to do with the political aspects Of
the question only as it relates to the
theology involved in the resolution.
When the pulpit and religious press
give to the world more correct
view of God and his government,
then may we expect politicians to be
more orthodox in their resolutions.
The Ohio House of Representatives
certainly acted upon the general
opinion that God is an irresponsible
sovereign, and can do what he
pleases.
Now if this view of the divine
power is correct, and the Radical
party is as corrupt as they are said
to be, aud the Democracy as pure as
they profess to be, then why did not
the Almighty put out the corrupt
and put in the pure The false
teaching ON the subject of Divine
sovereignty has lead many minds
into infdelity and atheem. God is
not an irresponsible sovereign. He
has as fully and firmly bound himself
to the laws of truth and holiness, as
the condition of his covenant with
man, requires them to be just and
pure; therefore God cannot arbi-
,rarily put out the corrupt and put
in the pure. God cannot arbitrarily
prevent sin in individuals, nor war
and blood shed among nations. He
uses all the means within the limits
of his moral government and holi-
ness, to keep men and nations from
fraud and corruption. When ma
tons become wicked they must from
the very nature and relation of
things suffer for their sins, or like
the Ninevahites seek forgiveness in
repentance. Nations like individ>
uals, against the will Of God, destroy
themselves.
ooh Israel, thou has destroyed
myself" Politicians and armies sell
dom call much on God until they are
ut>generaled or defeated. This
clearly shows they have no use for a
God they cannot use or control
This government breeds demagog
ues like the Nile bred frogs in the
days of Moses, and when the more
honest neglect their rights and the
best interests of their country, until
designing partizans in the chase for
spoils, bring ruin upon them. 1t is
vain to blame the Lord for not tak>
ing care of their interest, when they
have willfully neglected them them
selves.
The God of Providence has pro-
claimed that che that will not plough
by reason of cold shall beg in har-
vest and have nothing" The indol-
ent may resolute that Providence
has not dealt justly, but his resolu>
tons will not change God nor the
laws Of his providence, nor keep him
from starvation. Men and nations
have always suffered for their own
sins. We have the examples of
Babylon, Rome, Greece and Jerusa
lem. Why did the Son of God
weep over Jerusalem, if he could
save them and would not, why then
did he weep, but il he would have
saved them but could not, because
they would not be saved, then MS
tears are full of meaning. The
Prodigal son against the remon~
strances of his father by sin brought
himself to husks, shame and sorrow,
Against the will of God the Ameri>
can people brought themselves into
war, division, disgrace and national
ruin, and yet superficial thinkers
say God rules the American nation.
That is a most God dishonoring SEN
timent. God does not rule this na>
ton.
Corrupt politicians and wicked
men have governed and brought the
people to where they are. If God
rules, then would the people be wise,
good, just and happy. The Savior
said to the fig tree in the way, IRE
ferring to the Jewish nation) hence
forth grow no fruit on thee forever.
The Bible and the experience of
mankind teach that when the wick
ed rule the nation mourns. When
daring in6dels and superstituous re-
lgionists in the face of law and
universal experience, venture on
great waters in pronounced unsea-
worthy and leaky ships, and expect
God of law and order to save them,
then it will be folly for wise men to
caIk their vessels, watch their COM
pass, man to the helm, trust in a
God of love and order to save them.
If the Lord was to turn politician
and partizan, and turn all the radi-
Gals out and put in democrats, then
all the radicals would turn to demo-
Gratis. Let the American people now
make but one more step in sin and
all is lost 1t is good time now for
the nation, like Ninevah, to put on
sackcloth and pray nightly to God.
The Lord cannot bring moral good
out of moral evil. The nation that
sins must suffer, or repent. If any
nnlitical party expects God to pro,