The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1886-10-27
The Ruling Mind.

Livery WarranCaDle consideration serves
to give assurance that it is altogether
best that there should be one perfect
mind according to which all things shall
be ordered. Such is the mind of God
perfect, all. controlling mind. The full
lest confidence can be reposed in all its
determinations. 1t is infinitely discern
ing, supremely intelligent, and absolutely
infallible. Whatever is according to this
mind is in all respects for the best. God,
in His infinite mind, knows all things,
and foreseeing all possibilities, He can
direct all things by His unlimited wis
dom and absolute power, to the most
desirable results, whatever they may be.
He Is ever OF the same mind, never chang
ing His mind, so that the fullest depend
ence can be placed upon its decisions,
none OF which will ever be reversed
His capacities are boundless, His resour-
ces unlimitable, His plans matchless. He
can make no mistake, nor can He do any
wrong
1t is indeed well that God is the Sow.
erelgn OF the universe, whose kingdom
ruleth over all. This is the only ground
OF hope that any of His creatures and
subjects can have in respect to their true
welfare. Concerning God as the disposer
of all things, all who dwell upon the
earth may hear the song of heaven
Great and marvellous are Thy works
Lord God Almighty just and true are
Thy ways, Thou King of saints" He
who controls all thing is no cruel despot,
to be dreaded, if not hated. Whatever
is according to His will is for the good Of
His creatures. Their nearest and dear.
est friends may be taken away their
plans, however promising, may be frus.
trated their expectations, though tie
fondest, may be disappointed their un.
dertakings, hopeful as they may be, may
prove failures their efforts, though the
most assiduous, may be contravened; but
they are not to repine and call In ques.
ton the justice OF the interference with
their wishes and endeavors, or deem the
interruption of their happiness unkind
and unrighteous. Rather should they
say with Charles Wesley
Whateer ask, surely know
And steadfastly believe,
Thou wilt the thing desired bestow,
Or else better give.
To thee 1 therefore, Lord submit
Ny every fond request,
And own, adoring at thy feet,
Thy will is always best"
Unquestionably, the greatest happiness
of all mankind depends upon their sub.
missiveness to the will of God. Nothing
could be more personally serviceable than
for each of them, from the very heart, to
say unto God, Not as l will, but al
Thou wilt This would serve to abate
much Of their Impotence, and allay much
of their irritation, under their trials, miti
eating the painfulness of their defeats and
disappointments, and tightening the bur.
dens of their Affections, even though they
may be calamities. In the true spirit o.
this utterance the greatest agitations O
mind would be Gained, and the blessed
ness of peace as a river" would be ex
perienced. Certainly it would tend tc
smooth the troubled sea on which any
may be tossed, if they would yield them
selves to be borne quietly on its waves
instead Of entering into contest with it,
suTges. With many it is their self-will
their controversy with events, or rather
with God, that is the great source o
heir unhappiness under the trials thai
befall them. Could they make their vii
one with Gods will, it would greatly
soothe and cheer their troubled minds il
all their earthly experience, and multiply
and intensity their foretastes of heavenly
felicity.
The language Of the Christian heart is
" Thy will be done :" and this is it's spon.
taneous utterance, whatever may be EN-
hraood IN that r,;It TooL;1;t., - -. Al :.