Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1905-02-23

ships defeated from invading British
harbors not by the English cannon,
but by the tornado which swept the
English channel in 1888: What about
the storm which prevented Napoleon
attacking Wellington ut Waterloo III
the early morning and which delay
was great factor in the triumph OF
the English: What about tho dense
and impenetrable fog which settled in
New York harbor in the early morning
of the day OH which Washington and
his troops escaped from Long Island
and made it possible for the American
boats to row to safety under the very
guns Of the British fleet, which could
have annihilated them: What about
the frost which came in answer ia
Americas prayer Just at the right time
after filaw which destroyed the 10
Gusts by the millions n few years agc
in OIL, western states. where they were
destroying the crops everywhere:
| Were not those storms and those frosts
| the voice of God in answer to prayer
coming to the aid Of his children: |
| tell Won we have to realize that there
are atmospheric answers 10 prayer rs
well rs astronomical answers to pray
or God speaks to us in times OF
drought when we pray rs he answered
Elijah's prayer OF old when Ahab fed
to Jczrecl TO escape the deluge Hath
not the rain father" Gods rcscu-
| ing voice is heard in the Growl Of the
| 81 il
cubatiug sunshine. and if it is best
for Us Gods storm and Gods sunshine
are seen and fclt in answer to our be-
lieving prayers.
But find the mighty forces not only
astronomical ana atmospheric. but also
sociallstic. subscribing Gods children.
| use the word socialistic not in its
broad sense OF mans relationship to
man. In the triumphs and defeats OF
nations, in the supremacy ana the
overthrow Of thrones. ! find that the
great onward movements of the world
have been employed FOR the rescue and
salvation of Gods peoples for all time.
In tho Fulincss of Time.
What is the meaning Of that verse
Galatians iv, 4, When the fullness OF
time was come, God sent forth his Son
made OF a woman under the law to re
deem them that were under the law
that we might receive the adoption OF
sons?" Was not one time in the sight
Of God just as favorable as any othel
time! Oh, no. There were certain
prophetic conditions which had TO bt
fulfilled. Not the least OF these was
that Jesus had to be born in Bethlehem
of Judaea. How was this to be accom-
plished? After the whole civilized
world was brought under the domain
Of the Roman scepter God prompts
Caesar to order that a Jewish census
be taken. What was the result: IL
. order to obey that command, Joseph
the carpenter, who was married t.
Mary, had to take a trip to Bethlehem
. He was one of the descendants O
David, and all his family had to b.
counted In the village where the royH
shepherd boy once lived. Then through
Joseph, through Caesar, through for
cign command, Jesus was born wher
pTopueCy suiu NuI1pV pnou'o w WI"
1t is folly for you and ! to say. "Go'
might have fulfilled prophecy In a dit
! ferent way" Yes. he might. Blu
, Gods way was true way. And u
order to accomplish that way Caesa
, must conquer and Rome must rule.
, Can we not in the same way see til
, finger Of God In the discovery OF Amer
, lea. IN the birth Of our constitution, Il
the awful tragedy Of the ciJil war. u
the strange acquisitions Of Porto kic
and Of the Sandwich and Philippine IL
lands? Can we not feel that the boon
ing guns at Port Arthur and the sue
cess Of one political party over anothe
.. are the voice OF God heard in the san,
words that Paul spake when he sal
, that God Is working out his plan