The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1896-10-03

lOToOIodlucu tuO COuloO VI ONOuto
which was instrumental in Saving
much people alive;" but he certainly
gave direction to the consequences of
an act of wickedness committed
among that people, by which means
friend and relative was sent be-
fore them into strange country to
be their protector and guardian. We
may, indeed, suppose that if Joseph
had not been sold into Egypt, the
Almighty would have chosen some
other means equally successful for
the preservation of his chosen peo-
pie. But as Joseph was sold and
sent forward into land of stranger,
it must be admitted that there was
wisdom and goodness in that order
ing of divine providence which made
this wicked act of wicked men SUBJ
servient TO the great and glorious
object of their own and their kindred's
preservation.
And is not this very accurate
illustration of the general course of
providence and grace in relation to
the moral evil of this present life?
We may wonder that moral evil is
suffered to prevail, and even COM
plain of the various and fragrant acts
of injustice, and crime and tyranny
committed by man against his fellow
man; but is not all this in the hands
of God made subservient to the good
even of the very persons who are
guilty of it? 1t is true, we cannot
! discover all the results of each par
ticular act of wickedness; we cannot
fathom and trace out all the success
sive, suspicious events in the myster-
ious operations of providence. But
are we not sufficiently acquainted
with its general operations to be sus-
tanned in affirming that God is con-
stantly educing good from apparent
evil? 1t is not in the case of Joseph
alone that we may behold most
happy issue, arising out of the dark
est combination of pre- existing cir
cumstances. Incidents of a similar
character are found to form many
an interesting portion of history in all
the successive ages of the world. And
even among ourselves it is a matter
OF no unfrequent occurrence for the
wicked actions of men to become
subservient, under the wise direction
of providence, to the benefit of the
wicked actors themselves. A man of
great wealth, for instance, but des-
titute of moral principle and addicted
to almost every species of wickedness,
is suddenly reduced by his crimes
and his profigacy to the lowest stages
of poverty and disgrace. In that
condition, he is led to reflect upon his
conduct and alter his whole course of
life. Now it was certainly benefit
to such a person that he was per-
mitted to continue his audacious
prohigacy until it produced the re-
suit which, under the direction Of
heaven, was at last produced. And
almost innumerable instances involv-
ing the same great principle, have
doubtless come under the observa-
ton of every intelligent and observ-
ing mind. We are all constantly ad-
monished both by Scripture, exper-
fence and observation to be resigned
to the mysterious, and dark, and in
scrutable ways of providence; and
this admonition is founded on this
fact that God rules in all the myster-
ious operations of nature, and the I'M
fashionable order of human events;
and, by his wisdom, he can convert
the very folly and wickedness of men
into the instruments of promoting
their own happiness.
Is it not, then, natural conclusion
that God will make every evil inten-
tion and wicked act of men subser-
Went to their own good, and finally
crown them with the JOY and peace
of humility and holiness? 1t is true
the subject of this question may to
some minds appear wholly incredi-
BILE; but it is certainly no more so
than that God should make the wick
einess of Joseph's brethren, ulti-
mately subservient to their own good
and the greatness and glory of their
posterity. When the sons of Jacob
returned to their father, with the
parti colored coat torn from the. back
of the beloved and blooming boy,
who then could have believed, that
after years had rolled away, the same
guilty brethren would have bowed
as suppliants at the feet of Josephi
Who could have believed that that
unfortunate youth, under the smiles
aud the guidance of heaven, would
have arisen to affluence, honor and
power, and become prepared by his