The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1881-10-05

in speaking of the death of President
Garfield, has been in some respects un-
fortunate. Extravagant statements and
declarations always overshoot the mark.
Americans are particularly addicted to
immoderate language, and our writers
often mar the effect of what they have to
say by using terms that offend good taste
and overstep the bounds of probability.
English writers have justly criticised us
for indulging in this provincial and pio-
neer style of describing anything that is
wonderful or that needs to be strongly
expressed. Their idea is that simplicity
is strength, and that tremendous super
latives only weaken the force of state
ment. Selfpossession and self-control on
the part of a speaker are necessary to Sc
cure confidence in ones good sense and
Judgment, and it is felt that truth needs
no crowd of adjectives or embellishments
of fancy.
The death of President Garfield is sad
enough, and it has been felt throughout
the whole country as great public ca
lamity; never before, perhaps, have the
hearts of the whole people been so touched
by the death of public man, unless we
except the death of Washington, when no
doubt the feeling was deeper though less
demonstrative.
We have been surprised to see in one
of our most valued and judicious ex-
changes sentiment on this subject which
is among themost extravaganza utterances
that this great national bereavement has
called forth.
The Presbyterian Journal of the 22nd
ult., remarks:
cit the death of General Garfield is
the severest trial to the theistic faith that
has been known in the history of the
world since the death of our Lord Jesus
Christ"
We suspect that this comes from some
other than the regular editorial hand of
the Journal; it seems to us to verge upon
the blasphemous.
What sort of analogy is there between
the death of President Garfield and the
Crucifxion of the Son of God? They
stand immeasurably apart; and why
should nothing among all the great
events and solemn tragedies of the past
eighteen hundred years bear comparison
with the assassination of an American
President? No disturbances have fol-
lowed that cruel and diabolical act; no
strain even has been upon the stability
OF our free institutions; no usurper has
seized the reins of government; no for
eign ENVIRONMENTS have menaced us with
the calamity of war. 1t is, therefore,
merely preposterous to speak of the event
IN such violent terms; and the solemn
transaction which was enacted on Cal
vary, when Gods own son was offered up
for the sins of the whole world, consti-
tuting the most astounding spectacle that
had ever fallen under the eyes of the uni
verse, ought not to be shorn of its ma
Jesty and its glory by any comparisons
with the ordinary tragedies of human
life. 1t were bad enough if the Emperor
of Germany were assassinated tomorrow
but there would be no propriety in meas
uring it with the death on the Gross.
Nor, for the life of us, can we see how
the death of President Garfield is any
great trial to the "theistic faith" God
did not answer the prayers of the nation
for his life for the simple reason that in
His infinite wisdom He thought it best
not to grant that prayer. Is God bound
to grant explicitly every prayer that goes
up from an individual or a nation? WHY
does he permit this drought? or why
does he permit the terrible wars that de-
vastate the earth? Why did he permit
Napoleon to deluge Europe with blood?
Why did he permit most of the Apostles
to be cruelty murdered? Why did he
allow Herodias to have the head of John
the Baptist?
Shall any man say that God was bound
to spare the life Of President Garfield be-
cause his sweet family and the American
people requested it2
We can imagine two reasons eitherAone