The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-10-21
Twelve Pages.
"MysteriOns Dispensation Of Provi.
dence."

The Almighty when he breathed the breath
OF life into man, also implanted in his system
the seeds Of death.
In his wisdom and goodness, the Almighty
allotted TO man three score years and ten, and
in special instances by reason Of strength, life
is extended beyond the allotted time, but
sooner or later, the seeds of death must germ
mate and bring forth their legitimate result
and every living creature must die.
The Creator himself has made the decree
from which there Is no appeal.
But when ministers of the gospel, in the
nineteenth century, in this age OF reason, and
in the blaze of an enlighted Christian reli-
gion, solemnly announce from the pulpit
that the death Of the young is a dispensation
Of divine Providence that the Almighty in
his wisdom and goodness has called child or
young person hence-we are amazed.
The Almighty does no such thing.
Every child born of healthy parents has
right to expect to live to his three score years
and ten, and If the child dies in infancy, or
in youth, or in manhood's strength, he goes
hence because of some violation OF the laws
of Nature.
The laws Of Nature are inexorable, and he
who violates them must pay the penalty.
In the death OF the young we are furnished
with the mo.t impressive lesson that can be
presented To the living.
And these solemn occasions should teach
every living creature the danger incident to
the violation Of the laws Of health.
Instead OF attribnting the premature death
OF man to the act Of the Almighty, we should
prayerfully look to him for guidance, so that
We may live according to the plan, and walk
in the paths which he himself has prescribed
for US.
In our ignorance, and In our blindness, we
fall victims to the "pestience that walketh in
darkness" or else the obstruction that
wasteth at noon day" prematurely closes our
careers. Even in the 'cup of cold water"
which may be given to loved ones ain the
name of disciple" may contain deadly
poison.
When we know that the very air which we
breathe may be laden with disease and DEATH
when We know that the water, which appears
the purest and the best, may contain the
germs which bring premature death, do we
not trif1e with O startling reality when we at
tribute the legitimate result of violated laws
to the "dispensation Of divine Providence 2"
Instead Of slurrng over an actual condition
that confronts us. the premature death of our
friends should teach US the importance Of
studying the laws of health, and should im-
press upon us the fearful penalty of violating
the mandates Of Nature.
Instead Of laying the blame on the AL
mighty, the preacher should ask us to Ques-
tion ourselves as TO our mode of living. He
should teach us to avoid the mistakes of 9TH
ers, and set light before our eyes that we
may avoid the same rocks and the same
breakers which have sent down to death
many a life aud many ship as gallant as our
own.
Man is sent into the world to fulfill his mis-
sion, and his days are three score years and
ten.
But II by reason of our own imprudence, or
the mistakes OF others. our lives are cut short,
we have no right to lay the blame on the
Lord, but the lesson Of such premature death
should teach that we too may die premature
ly, If we, either ignorantly or knowingly, vio-
late the laws OF health.