The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-06-01
Rev. Mr.. Nutting'S Sermon
on ST. Louis Disaster.
Spectacle of Man Denying God
at Edge of the Grave.
Is One OF the Most Awful Visions
Ever Given to Human Eyes.

Romans III :33-"How unsearchable are
his judgements"
great city, on our greatest river, lay
under the eye Of God. its good deeds were
apparent TO Him as are pictures cast upon
screen. All that walked in darkness
and covered their motives, were in His
thought. Elements OF air. water, fire, IN
their various moods and ombinations
appeared clearly in His mind. He under
stood their tendencies afar of.
Among a half million people, most of
them intelligent, many of them learned,
teaching in and sustaining universities.
technical and scientific schools, among all
the mediums and spiritualists, who pre-
dict the future, among all the weather
Office force who foretell by science the
happenings of twenty-four hours, there
was not an individual who knew what
was coming. Our weather service fre-
quently explains that at points on
the ocean coast il il impossible
to know what barometric and ther-
mometric conditions prevail some dis
tance out to sea, hence predictions may be
brought TO naught by an approaching
change from the ocean. But here on our
western river, at point almost in the
geographical center OF our great country,
where the climatic conditions for a thous-
and miles In every direction were known,
1t was impossible for the most skilled OBJ
servers to say that death rode on the
wings OF the wind.
The invisible executioners of the air
took no warrant from courts The cases
were not tried. No such preliminary as
imprisonment or even arrest was observ-
ed. No argument as to the amount of
bail was heard, and no clergyman was
summoned to prepare the doomed.
Without advertisement, without a sus-
picion OF what awaited them, many hun
dreds OF persons, with their loves, their
hopes, their ambitions, with whatever of
character they had formed, were whiried
away in death dance, or struck down
by the invisible powers of the air.
Fathers were there, who had Just learn
ed the joy of that relation, having for
once heard. that name from the lips OF a
little child. Sweet'motherhood, with all
its charms, the gaiety of youth and child
hood. instantly cease and determine,
while voices rang down the wind, call
ling, where are theyY Can any Stanley
locate those who are not; or what court
can issue mandamus compelling their
return? Or shall presidential proclaim
alton admonish the unseen powers to
stand and deliver.
Such is the futility Of human knowl-
edge when matched against the mysteries
of nature, the dispe ensations of Proyi-
dence. Not only are we impotent to
withstand, Ms individuals, the onslaught
OF invisible powers, but as society, as
cities and States we are unaware of our
destiny for a moment. In the face OF
facts like these IT seems ike the irony OF
fate TO read OF the issue OF 30-year bonds;
the lease OF properties for 90, and even
for Oa9 years. In deeds we give a war
ranty to protect the purchaser. his heirs
and assigns forever. And while we 40 SO
just as such papers were being made in
st. Louis, the parties TO the transaction
and the very property itself van shed
ger from God appeared to demand either.
now much would have been surrendered
In view Of what we do not know, a re-
Election on the impudence of human
nature IL pertinent. A man going into
his cellar was shorn in two. A student
leaving his rooms was ricked up and cast
down heap OF broken bones. The smile
on lip was unfinished, the oath OF
tongue was cut short. The goodbye,
tender or grun, was hot TO be amended.
Living in such strange presences n great
becomes human nature But IL
by no means follows that the prospect or
even certainty of near death Is sufficient
10 change the course of mems lives. IL
iAbo bN1h hOAANths huIlnk AGN tDitUN VI
plaques and pestilences that many men
grew reckless, Indifferent. Places of
amusement are not forsaktn; ana some
who have hitherto lived outwardly re-
spectacle lives cast aside all decent re-
straint IL was remarked during the
reign OF terror in the French Revolution
hat the people seemed careless of moral
law to on extent hitherto unknown.
Criminals, condemned TO death, are In
many cases not induced TO forego the
same sort OF animal existence that has
characterized them. Some, whose lives
hang on thread, uass 90 their vocatlons
without prayer. live without love, and
deal without apparent i-erey. Aged men,
about 20 meet God, and even now in full
OF his condemnation Of
heir course OF life, continue Withstand
ing, iR steaafe-t will the calls and ed-
of God in conscience.
The spectacle OF a man challenging and
denying God at the edge OF the grave Is
one of the most awful visions given 10
human eyes. II is the example par oxccl-
lcnce OF evil roitinacity In human nature
= portinatitv which, touched By the
spirit, could Vie with rauls in enduring
and rejoicing la all things.
The question has ten asked by n'any,
Why couid not those about TO be smittcn