The San Saba news. [volume] (San Saba, Tex.) 1873-1966, 1889-05-03
The Providence of God.

II has been said that an honest atheist
does not exist We might go farther and
say that it is impossible for one to be a seri-
Gus student Of human life and not recognize
the sustaining, guiding, governing hand Of
the God Of providence as well as the hand Of
the Creator. We see the providence Of God
In its direct application to men and their
affairs. However confused the currents of
human affairs may seem in their present
state, however tangled the web of life may
appear from our standpoint, yet in the re-
view of a long period of human history,
equally confused and opposing currents ap-
pear blended and directed in one channel and
for one purpose, and the providence Of God
is distinctly seen shaping and guiding the
IIsEiGnl. stSzsaIsS thr1 ugh all their course.
So too, Of Individual life it is true that
ssMan's goings are of the Lord.n He does
not start in life alone; it is not OF his own
design that he starts at all. He is placed in
this world and let through it by an unseen
hand. His early training, his education, his
whole course of life from the cradle 10 the
grave is passed under the proyidential care
and guidance of his Creator. This becomes
more evident when we see how few men car
~ out that plan of life which had beer.'
marked out for them by their parents,66-
by Themselves --
how different, too, are the results of effort
from that which was contemplated at the
outset of a careeri A humble, unknown.
hiendless orphan IS raised to the highest
point of distinction and prosperity. Another
man, with every advantage which wealth
and position and friends could afford. sinks
into obscurity and neglect Much is doubt
less due to individual character, but vet how
great the diversity in the success of persons
who are similar In their characters attain
ments, and advantages Some men are born
great, some achieve greatness, and SINE have
greatness thrust upon them The race is not
always to the swift, nor the battle 10 the
strorg, nor riches TO men of understanding.
So universally is it acknowledged to be true,
even by those who are irrehgious and even
profane, that lit is not in man that walk
eth to direct his steps, that it has become a
prove-b that man is the creature of circum-
Stances
We need not go beyond personal expert
ance to ind abundant illustration of this |
care Of God. There are few
who have not been led in a way that they
Knew not; few who, if piously inclined, can
lot, in looking back over their past lives, see
hat the finger Of God plainly pointed out the
'ath In which they were TO walk: who have
iot felt the strong grasp Of Gods hand hold
ny them back from evil, his words of love
lrawing them TO himself, and his light shin
ny into their hearts, and on that road which
le had made straight and plG n for their
weak ard stumbling feet, or thorny or diff
ult to test their self-confidence, and bring
hem to humble and patient reliance upon
he on y true strength.
How often have those plans that seemed
he best, been frustrated; prospects which
we're bright with the rainbow of hope been
arkened by clouds of misfortune purposes
orIned for life been blown away ike chsf
efore the tempest, ways of sorrow opened
efore US wherein our feet were forced to
Rad, and avenues closed forever, in which
Fe had deemed that we might walk joyful
i1tho1t interruption So, too, the blessings
rhich have Frightened our lives have come
rom the most unexpected quarters, and
ftep through cur greatest end soress trials
1,s stctes has been the 1aoEt complete when
q 4 tfaiffd Of aecorr fishing aaTt hing, and
. enterprise Wick sc were Almost resiv TT {
lardon has been nrotlnetiFec 81 sudden profit
nd advantage livery one who reviews
Is life with religious rrfectioa Is ]
rprised to see how little influence his own
ans have eserted upon that life, and how I
-ident Il is that there's a divinity that
apes our endsr In spite Of our con- e.
ious freedom our hrInest decisions have
en- overruled, we have done the very {
ings that we pledged ourselves not TO do 4
d have neglected or forgotten those '
ings which were once foremost in orr a
oughts. God has directed all our efforts. a
arked out our course, and introduced us !.
new and unthought-of scenes Infdela !
u this directing power chance the ir- Z
1gloIs call it fate OF accident but the a
tristan humbly agrees with the wise King n
Israel, "a mans heart deviseth his way. q
t the Lord directeth his steps, :,