The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-11-25

throuab the economic policy of our government inequality and injustice In the distribution of our wealth. This. like all our other troubles, will in time be lighted.
 "Never before in the worlds history has there been such an age of mate- rial possession and practical utilities. Many things that are today necessities of the poor were in former times lux uries of the rich. Indeed, many things now available to all, were in former times impossible to all. This great achievement is due to mans knowledge of the laws of nature and the applica- tioh of these, through bis inventions. to his industry and commerce. The lifeless, Inorganic forces of nature have been largely substituted for the vital organic force of muscle
 '.Mind and culture are more and more the directors and natufe and nature's laws more and more the servants, and human labor as expressed in muscle power less and less factor in the in- dustry and commerce of the world. The nation, the State, the individual. that realizes this truth and prepares accordingly, will be in the future the only example of the survival of the fit- test.
 we have met here today as congre- gations of various denominations. and as citizens of Montgomery and Ala bama, some of us being members of no church, for the purpose of engaging In 8 thanksgiving service. Do we be- lieve that God In any way influences the deatinies of man, other than through the laws of nature and the economies of evolution7 Is there 8 God? Those of us who believe the Bible through faith, say yes; those Of us who believe the book of nature, as taught in the natural sciences, through a logical necessity, say yes; only the fool sayeth in his heart, there is no Creator. All intelligent people ac-' knowledge the necessity, of creator. Nature can neither create nor destroy matter; neither can she make or amend a natural law But to believe that God interferes In the affairs of men ip this world. blessing here and intiict- ing punishment there, is a matter of disputation which must be accepted through faith with proper regard to the facts of history, many of which partake of the nature of the miracu- lous.
 Providence of God.
 Most of us in this country and cer- tainly in this audience, whether church members or not, not only believe in God, but in his providence also. This belief came down to us as 0 precious inheritance. When Columbus discov- cred America he kissed its soil and thanked God for his protection and blessing, and when he returned home and reported his discovery to the King and Queen and courtiers at Barcelona the King and Queen came down from their throne, kneeled at it's feet an3 with fearful eyes and grateful hearts gave thanks to God
 'When the Pilgrim fathers were driven by religious prejudice and per- secution into Holland from which they embarked to America, brought with them a belief in God and His provi- dences. According to Mir. Gladstone. they brought with them all that was democratic in the policy of England and all that was protestant in her re- ligion.' When the Dutch settled on the Hudson they brought with them their belief in God and His providence. When Penn founded the City of Broth erly Love he consecrated 1t with the belief, piety and peace of the Society of Friends. When Lord Baltimore and the prosecuted Catholics came to Mary land they brought with them their be- lief in God and his providences as un- derstood bg the Catholic Church. When the Cavaliers fled England fear ing the persecution of Cromwell. they brought with them a belief in God and his providenoes as taught by the church of England. When the Huge nots fled from France to the Carolinas they brought with them a belief in God and His providences as understood by the followers of Luther. When George Oglethorpe and the oppressed debtors came to Georgia they brought with them their belief in God and His providence. Charles Wesley was the Secretary of Oglethorpe and was ac- companied by his brother John, and by this token we may judge of the char acter of the religion of these people.
 Thus the pioneers of this country were believers in accordance with their several faiths and creeds in God and his providence. Indeed 1t may be said it was the desire for religious freedom that was the main factor in establish ing the colonies in this country. It was God fearing and serving people who discovered. subjugated, settled, de- veloped, and established our present civilization with all it's institutions and who founded and defended this great republic.
 "St. Luke tells US that the Kingdom of God is in us, Henry Drumm0pd, speaking of the kingdom of God says, that its capital is heaven; that the
  church is It's weekly parade. our forefathers believed in and woFshipped God. When the liberty bell proclaim ed the declaration of freedom, the church bells joined in the patriotic ac- claim and the people fell upon their knees and praised God and asked his blessing.
 Recognition of Prayer.
 In 17s3, when Washington wrote to the Governors of the several States he acknowledged the munihcent provi- dence of God. Our Declaration of h. dependence, the Constitution of our country and of all our States in their preambles acknowledged the existence of God and his Providence. All our legislatures. all our inaugurations, and the public and civil political functions are opened with player Who can say that in the discoverey of our country. it's settlement by the Anglo-saxon, its victory over the French, thus saving us from the oppression of Jesuitism, and the despotism of the policy of a Richelieu; its victory over the Spanish. thus saving us from the Tyranny of an Ava and Philip, and finally. in the name of justice and freedom. the suc- cessful establishment of our own Eov- ernment. was not guided by tho provi l dence of God. Who can say that in our great industrial development, our commercial expansion. divisions and wars there was not the providence of God? Who can say that the sweet peace, splendid prosperity and glory. power and strength of our country to- day was not in part at least to the providence of God, in guiding and blessing the efforts of man. that rnarsa