The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-08-06

rev Anoreas BARD. VINO Is Milling the
pulpit OF the St. Clements Episcopal
church In the absence Of the pastor. Rev.
morning on ",rhy Vim Be Done He
Popular Christianity N still permeat-
ed with superstitions and remnant pagan
ism. There are thousands among our
church si rh people who expect their petitions
not realize that II the Creator would
change the activity OF the least little
wavelet on the ocean. II He would alter
that melts on the bosom OF the rose. He
would thereby revolutionize the entire
system OF natural laws which for inn
magnificent universe, so intricate il the
machinery which sustafns our globe, so
finely woven the net OF creation. Shall
not call him arrogant who with the
music OF the spheres?
Again. II God controlled natural laws
~ arbitrarily az chess-player manages
the figures on the board n He directed
the order OF the universe as freely as the
Turkish sultan commands his troops.
prayer might be used as a taIisman, a
lamp OF Aladdin which PRODUCES magical
results. hut when science assures US
that nature In the orderly manifestation
OF Supreme Power, that tho Eternal
Himself Expresses His transcendent He
Ing In natural Recommendation we are
forced to look upon selfish petitions ~
sacrilegious requests TO the Almighty. to
change His very essence to crafty our
desires.
''T'he tragedy OF Calvary was a settled
fact In the wisdom OF the Father In
heaven. No prayer could change IL. And
though Christ for q moment expressed
q wish contrary to the DEGREES OF Provi-
dence He was willing To withdraw His
petition, setting classic example of
chiid-like obedience to those who would
follow Him In the beautiful words. Thy
Will be DONE.
''pifiidence Is the cause, obedience the
nature, triumphant faith the effect OF
prayer We rebel against our lot In life.
This disappointment seems unendurable.
this sorrow undeserved this failure I'M
Just. this dircord inexplicable. Before
the throne Of his Maker man unbosoms
his revolutionary heart, let the cup pass
from me-. But when through communion
with God we learn that far more than
human wisdom is controlling the mys-
terious threads of the worlds strange
history: that even our little lives are
being watched and guarded by eternal
love, That not sparrow falleth from
tho housetop' without tho approval OF
from the struggles OF Gethsemane and
bow to unfathomahie designs: Thy will
be done. Aye as the lily evolves her
peerless beauties because to the infiu-
ences OF sun and rain she willingly sub
mits. as the stars move tremendously
within their orbits because they obey un-
changing laws. mortal man cannot find
true bliss apart from Providence divine.
Only by adjusting hts little power 10 the
eternal viii OF God he gains real success
and the privilege of eonfessing the creed
OF supremcst wisdom. Whatever IL. il
best
Christ could not comprehend why He
should so to Calvary. but obeying the
Fathers viii lie became the worlds re-
dc@mer. The early martyrs looked pax-
xied OF Rome's triumphant vices and at
their own unmcrttcd torture, yet oheytrg
Gods Decree they laid the foundation 20
q new civilization. We cannot see how.
midst all the bribery. corruption. selfish
neas and bioodShed. Christ kingdom can
progress bat the historian recognises a
alstinet line of progress from the dawn
of time to this present era Finite logic
cannot argue With INFINITE wisdom The
cycles OF God ara too large Tor human
gigantic for a mosquito. Only BY Gath
we can know. and the efficacy az prayer
does nst consist in a descent % Immortal
purpose to mortal desire V Il san ascent
~ doubling man to an ail-kns~fnx Prov.
iaence "fhs viii, o Father. be done