The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-11-04
"MysteriOus Dispensation of PrOyi
dence..

Editor Press and Banner:
My attention has just been called to an ar.
ticle in your issue Of the 2lst instant with the
above caption which l presume is an edlto-
rial. It may have reference to talk which /
recently had occasion TO make In Abbeville.
AT any rate. 1t sets forth view, which, in my
opinion, is far from being correct.
BY Gods providentinl government. we un-
derstand, says DR.. A. A. Hodge, of Princeton,
that "he continually controls and directs the
actions of all his creatures, SO that while he
lures, he yet infallibly causes all actions and
events, singular and universal, to occur &c.
cording to the eternal and inimitabls plan
embraced in his Decree"
According to this view, everything which
exists, and which occurs, comes under the
providence of God. This seems to be clear y
taught by the Son Of God himself when he
says, Are not two sparrows sold for far
ground without your Father But the very
hairs of your head are all numbered"
II anything In all the universe OF God, how
ever minute, is beyond the prov den tal care
nothing. For his word declares that he con-
trolls all things. Amy view that denies this,
logically leaus to the view Of the Deists, that
God when he created the universe endowed
1t with its laws, and then withdrew from II
an left 1t solely to the control of these laws.
without his presence and direction.
Such a theory does away with with Gods revela-
The author OF the article in question Is
amazed when the preacher says that the
death Of the young Is dispensatlon OF divine
providence. In this class OF occurrences, he
sees only the working of the laws Of nature.
His view that an early death IS traceable
merely 10 the violation Of natures laws, and
having no connection with Gods providence,
reminds me OF the view widely prevalent
among the Jews OF our Savlor's time, and
which some Of his disciples gave expression
10, when they asked about the blind man,
MASTER, who did sin, this man, or his pa
rents, that he wGs born blind?" Jesus an
swered, "Nelther hath this man slnned. nor
his parents, but that tho works OF God should
be made manifest In him." Sil had not as
much to do with IL, rs Gods ordering II for
the display OF his grace and glory. This truth
is emphasized again BY Jesus, when he says
in reference to LaZarns, This sickness is not
unto death, hut for the glory of God, that the
Son of God might be glorllled thereby
The writer of tie article referred to accuses
the preachers Of "baming" God for the death
of the young. ] am slad 10 say tnat am
more fortunate than he, In having heard no
such men preach. | have heard many preach
ers, and all so far as l knew believed that
Gods providence was displayed In the death
of the young as well as in the death OF the
old. That ii was displayed everywhere and
in every thing. They also believed ana apGh;
that to the human mind the providence OF
God was often mysterious. for God Is Infinite
In his perfpctions, and his ways are not our
ways. / hope | shall never hear anything
from the pulpit that would deny this funda-
mental truth Of our religion, which Is IN
wrought in the Word of God and which has
SO firm hold upon the conscience of man.
]. A. Brown.