Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1893-05-08
GODS Will SUPREME.
CONSPIRACY AND ASSASSINATION ARE NOT
ALWAYS SUCCESSFUL
An Interesting Discourse Delivered at the Third
Presbyterian Church by Rev. G. n.
Afford Last Night

At the Third Presbyterian church,
last night, large congregation assem-
bled to listen to an interesting and In
structive discourse by the pastor. Rev.
C. M. Afford. He selected for his
theme Conspiracy and Assassination
Unsuccessful. Text, Acts 23-12. "And
when it was day certain of the Jews
banded together, and bound themselves
| under a curse, saying that they would
neither eat nor drink until they had
killed Paul"
Rev. Afford prefaced his remarks with
the following reference to recent
event: "On the night OF April 25th,
while Mr.. Gladstone was walking home
ward through st. James Park, an at
tempt was made on his life by would
be assassin. On his person was found a
note book containing rawlings against
Irish Home Rule, and the idea that TO
take the life of Gladstone would be JUS
tilted in the sight OF the world. Fortu-
nately this fanatic was unsuccessful In
his attempted assassination.
This was not the first time, he said,
that evil men have consDred together
to take tie life OF noble men. His text
| furnishes an example Of one Of the most
| dastardlY conspiracies ever formed. Re-
sorting to such means to rid themselves
OF Paul proves that they had no case
against him, and by law could not Sc
| cure his death. 1t also proves the ter
rible condition OF public morals at that
| time.
There are cross purposes in life, but
Gods purpose succeeds. These con-
| spirators had their purpose with Paul.
1t was arranged to assassinate him on
| his way from the barricks to the coun-
Gil. Their purpose was TO kill Paul, TO
stop the preaching of the Gospel, but
Gods purpose was to spare his life that
! he might continue the work. II your
purpose is in opposition TO Gods pur-
pose, you cannot but fail, for He is al
ways successful. MAN proposes, but
God dlsposes." Man proposed to seal
the life of the Apostle, but God over
ruled this conspiracy as a means to the
carrying out of His own plan.
Previous knowledge of Gods purpose
| uOb BlONCuO 10 AAOhA
means to accomplish orr plans. Paul
knew that he must go TO Rome, and the
very night that the enemy was arrang-
ing for his death, God lighted up his
prison and gave him the promise that
! he should witness to Him in Rome also.
! Still Paul employed the means OF safety
! His keen mind saw at once that God
has placed means In his path, whereby
he could escape death by the conspira-
| tors. There is q vast difference be-
tween faith and fataliSm. Fatalism is the
| law OF necessity, effecting its end IRE
sistibly and irrespectively OF the means
and the free choice Of the agents con-
cerned. While the man who has faith
| in God believes that He will bring things
out for the best by the use Of the means
and the free agency Of the agent. fa-
talism will cause man to do nothing
for himself; faith encourages man to
work for his best interests. Some peo-
pie are so foolish as to make no effort
| to be saved. If you are to be saved,
YOU must use the means God has placed
in your reach.
The failure OF sinful purpose does
not exonerate from blame. The forty
men who plotted against Paurs life were
guilty of murder, though their plan
miscarried. 1t was not for any lem
iency or change OF mind or repentance,
that the foul deed was not committed.
We Judge men by their motives and in
tentions. Gods servants are always
safe, but are often subjected to the
greatest dangers, God reigns in this
world. We may deny Him the right,
but nevertheless He rules, and He will
make the wickedness Of men rebound
to his glory.