The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1896-11-21
PROVISION FOR DEPENDENCIES.
BY A. A. THAYER, d. d.
CHICAGO, Nov.

We expect the proprietor to supply
the wants which he creates. If he
builds mill which needs wheat he
is supposed to furnish the grain and
not keep his mill idle. If the pro-
prietor erects warehouse or store,
as a merchant, then must he supply
the goods and enter on his own busi-
ness. If it be ship or railroad,
then he is wise to secure freight
and passengers. If man is pro-
genitor or father, then humanity re-
quires him to furnish reasonable sup
plies for the progeny which belongs
to his lineage. This wise philosophy
holds good throughout all the ami
mated kingdoms of the earth. In all
the parentage of the animal king
doms-in all insect life, among birds
and fishes, and even in vegetation,
we universally find paternity or ma
ternity providing for progeny in an
infinite variety of ways.
Well, God himself is no exception
to this kindly and humane philoso-
ply of life. His providence is over
all, in all, and through all. Universal
life hath a feeble beginning, it is
true. But life overlaps life and rami-
fes into life until the new being can
provide for itself. The bountiful
Father has furnished forces within
and without which secure the sup
plies that are needful. Emerson
said, "All | have seen teaches me to
trust the Creator for all / have not
seen"-a sentiment duplicated by
Whittier thus:
''F'or the things / see
1 trust the thing to be.
The Heavenly Father is the author
of infinite conditions which make for
our happiness. 1t is ours to accept
and govern ourselves accordingly.
What a benefcent intention in sun
and rain and snow and vegetation
Bread for the eater, aad seed for the
sower that the eater may have still
more bread and continued supply
of bread. Even the industry which
perpetuates the supply sweetens the
bread.
But we have to notice the rich
spiritual comfort stored up in the
comparison following the gift of ma
terial things. Having noted Gods
sure method of sending bread
through the abundance of rain and
snow from heaven to water the earth i,
then the prophet afirms: $50 shall my
word be that goeth forth out of my
mouth, saith the Lord 1t shall not
return unto me void, but it shall ac-
complish that which | please and
it shall prosper in the thing whereto
| sent it,
What kind of God is it who can
not accomplish his own purposes
who is helpless as to the means OF
prosperity in material or spiritual
thingsi Is his arm shortened that he
cannot save? His word shall accomp-
lish that which he pleaseth, and it
shall prosper in the thing whereto he
sent it, said the prophet. AS to physi-
cal nature Christians are of one
mind. God reigns. Law is trium-
phant. The winds obey him. Moth
ing walks with aimless feet" God is
not simply good, but he is good for
something. His goodness hath a
purpose. His water is for the whole
earth. No living organism exists
without it. Not the finest leaf or
flower or insect can keep its home
this side of death without the use of
water and air. The elements have
an actual and a universal application.
That was a prophets word when
Henry Thoreau said, $50 high as a
tree aspires to grow, so high will it
find an atmosphere suited to it's
growth" 1t is also true that "never
yet abyss as found deeper than the
cross can sound" If we ascend into
heaven God is there. If we make
our bed in sheol God is there. Borne
on the wings of the morning to the
uttermost parts of the sea, even there
Gods hand shall lead us, and his
right hand shall hold us up.
Fail not to notice also that the rain
and the snow alike come down from
heaven. They are both of benefcent
origin. The snow is but another
,orm of water. 1t is a richer stimu-
liant of prosperity, in its season, than
the descending rain. The wheat
-hoots up into a fatter growth
wherever blanketed with the merci-
al snow in the cold of winter. When
G I'd belabors the soil with the knuck
les of the frost it is not sign of
enmity but of love. Even so it is