The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1889-01-31

Saltwater, Mimi Thursday, Jan. 81, 1889.

railroad, would you think it mere Glance
that those strips of iron were laid so regu-
larly on those wooden ties? We have only
to study the laws OF nature to prove the
great Intelligent power of God, the Father
Almighty.
What are we? Yesterday we were
not; to-day we are wonderful being
having all immortal soul. We look around
the material creation and we ask, what are
all these. When matter is acted upon by
a blind force all is chaos. Then if nature
is the product of all Infinite being. is 1t not
our duty to study these things? Do you
think it mere chance that the world revOlveS
as it does? Astronomers are able to pene-
trate the atmosphere far beyond the sun at
distances from the earth that are almost in
conceivable: and there they find myriadS of
stars in wonderful array. like magnificent
army. They march on their course with
such discipline and precision that the pO-
sitiUn of each can be accurately computed
for wears in advance What does this say
to all of us but that there is an Almighty
hand governing and controlling all. Science
tells us that some hundreds of feet away
from the earth's surface the atmosphere is
not capable of sustaining life. but i'll our
immediate vicinity it is pleasant and
agreeable to us. How every blade of grass
tells of Supreme Creator! A little seed.
germ of plant life falls to the ground. it
mergeS into root, the root grows into a
plant. gradually it shoots up to it's full
stature and bears its fruit. An intelligent
Being must govern all this. Take for eX
ample grain of wheat. grain of barley,
and a strawberry, upon being placed in the
earth each extracts therefrOm the substances
necessary to their individual requirements
and growing side by side they mature to
full fruitiOn. The grain tOsses its head in
the summer wind and the berry yields its
sweetness and fragrance. See how the lit
tie acorn becomes sturdy oak. Is this all
by chance! If we saw before us the picture
of beautiful rose would we say that it was
the chance creation of an unknown force?
No, we would not say or think it. 1t is a
genius that can put before us a landscape
with such reality that for moment we are
almost deceived. But can the most beauti-
full painting compare with nature itself?
Let us consider for moment, ourselves:
We take bread and meat and cOntide it to
the stomach. Here certain processes are
gone through, and without our knowledge
or controlling power. the various elements
are conducted to their proper destination,
distributed by an invisible influence. We
water into its component parts of hydrogen
and oxygen and then we lose sight of it,
Take the eye; what medical genius can stay
the failing sight of age? Let an eye be de-
strOyed and who can replace it? AS | look
before me now at all these things, picture
is photographed on my eye, the impression
is carried to my brain without my direction;
thought comes to me-my tongue strikes
against my palate-the thoughts are made
words and by the wonderful mechanism of
the ear you become conscious of my spoken
thoughts. Is this all by mere chance!
Science shows us many things. and the more
it is developed. the more clearly will it dis
close the workmanship of an Almighty
hand. Reason tells us that there is cause
for all this and this cause is made manifest
in the Word of God.
The word Atheism has been spoken. Is
there one? The fool has said in his heart
there is no God. Where did he say it? In
his mind? No: in his heart and the wish
was the father to the thought. When science
has pronounced its last word, there re-
mains still the great question:: what is
life?" Evolution has had it's enthusiastic
vOtarieS. Right here is one question that
they cannot answer. How came it that the
first body existed and was so perfect?
Whence this being, with thoughts, hopes,
aspirations, an immortal soul. if not from
the hand of Divine Master? On reason
ing we have only to use common sense.
Now, those who are afraid OF this God, say
that He is so far away that they cannot see
or understand Him. But we know that
God exists, and that He is all-powerful, all
wise, and all-gOOd. Does a child under