Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-11-11
LIES Privileges.

The observations Of a philosophical
friend:
1t IL common falling Of mankind
falsely to accuse the Almighty. and then
either attempt TO abjure or dethrone
Him, or make themselves very miserable
IN their cupable ignorance. The charge
OF the Lord to the unfathful servant
was bitter irony: Thou knewest" Chat
is, 50 you say) that l reap where I have
not sowed; and gather where / have not
sirewed." So under that belief he delibe-
rateiy threw. away all his opportunities
and brushed aside his responsibilities. In
the same way men commonly lose all
interest in life, take 10 drinking, and
kill themselves. They imagine that others
have n great deal more than they
are entitled 10, and themselves 4 great
deal less; they overrate others. under
rate themselves. charge God with un-
fairness. and envy, the "rottennoss OF
the bones" consumes them. 1t is strange
how readily injustice and ingratitude call
in their torinentor. "Ono Gin, l know,
another doth provoke"
1t IL barbarous sort Of consolation
that men prescribe for that old disease
of envy: this looking for the skeleton in
the closet OF the apparently best, and
satisfying ourselves by marking a
wretched offser 70 every ones good luck;
and so with grim piety justifying the
providence OF God. The quintescence OF
half-breed philosophy. so lauded north OF
us. makes a great discourse on what he
calls the law OF compensation. and sup
plies very unwholesOme comfort in tho
assurance that We need not trouble our
selves about our neighbors' luck, for
they are sure to have compensating
misery. The other view Of such cases
would have been much more amiable and
credltable: that for the sorest trials OF
life the good Lord provides some COM
pensating comfort 10 those who trust
His love; that lie Is not cold dispenser
OF exact justice; but a loving Father
grieving for the chastenlng He cannot
withhold-feeling our griefs and fears.
and counting and treasurlng up our
tears-and rejoicing in the fullest hap
piness of His people.
1t Is a miserable thing to go about 10
soOthe our envy and establish the even
handed justice Of Divine Providence by
proving that the Father of the human
family as freely dispenses Ills and ca
lamties as lie pours down blessings
upon us. There are dlrges enough In the
Book OF Psalms: but thanks and praise
for blessings far exceed lamentations for
chastisements. And the walls OF the
typical man are not for the compensa-
tions that are thrown In to Offset his
bounties. but grief for the breaches OF
plain law that brought those ills.
The face of nature proclaims the good
ness and glory. the character Of God.
One star differs from another star In
glory; yet all are glorious In their places
and orbits and offices. He hath made
everything beautiful In His time and
place The tiniest daisy and the most
gorgeous flower are full of marvellous
grace and beauty: the roaring cataract
and the ripping rill alike manifest power
and skill All are full OF order and
harmony, OF goodness and wisdom. Mo-
thing Is suggestive OF necessary evil, TO
compensate special blessings. Day and
night summer and winter. cold ana
heat, are beautiful contrasts. not COM
pensating good and III. 1t Is the Ian
guage of natural gratitude: Q. all ye
works OF the Lord; bless ye the Lord;
praise Him and magnify Him forever!
1t is as true Of the face OF society and
Of all conditions and stations Of life that
they were made and ordered to praise
their Maker. The children OF men. the
chosen race. the priests and special SER
wants. the spirits and souls Of the rtghte-
Gus. all holy and humble men Of heart
are rightly called on TO magnify His divine
and mercifui Providence. His privileges
the best. the highest. the sweetest. the
noblest pleasures Of life-are shut up to
no class or condition. no prefession Or
calling. no race or family. ne Advantages
or levels: but are free. full, and ready
for the gentle. the loyal the teachable
tho honest, and earnest; for the poor tn
spirit and pure In heart: to those that
hunger ana thirst for the truest man
heed.