The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-12-14
SUNDAY, DECEMBER IA, 1890.
1n,rsrING IN pRovIDEN cE.

4, "a pretty certain that the Almighty |
never made this world for mossoacNs; 'n"'
IA for persons who do nothing, wait LOT
something 10 happen. and call 1t trusting !"
providence. Mahomet's soldiers told MN
no had thrown his reins on his Gamer
recl. and trusted in Providence. The pro-
pbet replied that he would have been wise
~ tie the beast and trust in Providence.
I, was plainly told the chosen people al
one norton Of their history that 'nelI
.strength was TO sit still" The policy tha'
.aves Rome from ruin was inactivity
hut mastery and watchiul, the IONS
yirded, the lights burning, and the dashils,
FLASHING heels-over-head, restless activity oi
Charles XII. wound him up with starting
ouickness. And many an ADVENTUROUS
bold spirit has gone his way.
There are characters known on tue street
ne amending their lives in getting in ana ou'
of difficulties. And there are Others IKE
raily horses, who gallop up the street SIDE
WAYS, chatting and sweating, whom Tue
;ocleys describe as "all action and no 60
There's no royal road through life. iign
and low, rich and poor, we have got 10
tramp il. liable TO skyey Influences, ana en-
posed TO dangers on every hand. Ana IN
our conscious helplessness the most
familiar problem is: What does the Al
mighty require and expect of us, and how
far NAV we trust in Providence
Providence was not on the side oil the
strongest artillery when Napoleon was
.s,, hack with beautiful snowflakes from
his wild goose chase into Russia, with his
HELPLESS wretched thousands at his heels
Nor did millions Of money save NanderDh'
when he bowed his head and died as ne was
debating terms TO another magnate In MS
palatial parlor. What can we do, then'
Where and when 10 our duty fulilled' ana
manhood satisfied by wise and persistent
enortsY He lifts the poor out OF the dung
hill. and sends the rich empty away ana
ont of prison the child cones to reign.
The problem cannot be solved. Nor viii
all the precedents Of history serve to make
perfectly clear the ways OF the supreme
Could one plain path be discovered, all the
world would peep into it. Could CLEAN
of the world beyond fall upon the eyes OF a
bereayed parent, that parent would never
leave the place where the revelation was
made. nor cease from efforts TO ENJOY II
again. ii is an infinite wisdom that Clouds
and Darkness are around about Him
Righteousness and Mercy His lIabitatlon
Diyin, mystery surrounds US. Only al
the works OF nature praise their author; the
God OF nature cleaning with the light OF IN
telligence, and unquestionable signs oil NE
of watchfulness. of neyerfailing Providence
ordering all things in Heaven and EARN
And man is to lead mans life In The
midst OF mystery, but embraced by power
and loving wisdom, like little child learn
ing 10 walk between the parents arms, II
danger only when he leans too
much on the arm he catches sign
Of and walking best when conscious
OF the care about him, he looks smillngly
into the face of the father and quits himsel
like a man. The best we can know anC
learn of Providence is the words OF tL'
Prophet: Let not the wise man glory IN Dl
vision; neither let the mighty man glorl
in his might. Let not the rich man glory II
his riches. But let him that glorietb glory
in this, that he understandeth and knowell
me that am He that exercise loving KIND
ness and righteousness and Judgment in tn
earth. And an humber bard tells us:
Preserve the dignity Of man,
With soul erect.
Amt trust the universal plan,
VIII all protect.