Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1910-02-22
THE WORK OF GOD.

IIeye that he was an instrument III
the hands of the Almighty. chosen and
inspired to become the father oil
great nation. the prime factor In the
stirring events by which the Constitu-
ton of a free country was iranleu' do
n preparation for the final estaohsn-
ment of the kingdom OF the Son OF God
I'm all the world With such views they
cannot but revere the memory OF such
men as Washington. Jefferson, Samuel
and John Adams. Benjamin Franklin
and all the other patriots who loporeo
for the cause of humanity. They can
not but be loyal to their country. For
loyalty, with them. is based upon the
strongest of all foundations-religion.
II Is with them, an integral part of
religion.
II is evident that the discovery oil
the Western continents in the 18TH
century was Providential. Else what
mower prompted Columbus to attempt
TO reach Asia on a westward course.
at time when the kings of Europe
declined to support the seemingly abb
surd enterprise? What power inspired
Isabella to furnish money for an eN-
pedItlon of so doubtful mert4 Who
led Columbus across tho deep. safely,
until land was discovered. "as an
Unforeseen incident in the voyage of
one of the most extraordinary men In
history" Columbus, to his death,
supposed that he had landed on the
coast of Asia. and not in an entirely
BILE: 1t was God.
The same conclusion must be
reached when the further history OF
discoveries Is contemplated. Left Erik
son, undoubtedly, reached North Amor
lea more than four hundred years be-
fore Columbus, but nothing came of
his explorations OF consequence to the
rest of the world. 1t was different
with the achievement OF Columbus. He
was only the forerunner of an army
OF explorers In his wake followed
the Cabots and vespucius. Balboa. Ma
gcllan. Cortez. Pizarro, Cartier, and
host of other explorers, and the West
crn Hemisphere emerged from obscur-
ity.
About the same time the great move
ment known as the Reformation took
place in Europe. BY that moral and
religious upheaval. century-old walls
tumbled into ruins and men and women
were set free from the shacklcs OF ig-
~
them felt the need of a new world In
which to breathe the air OF liberty and
TO develop without let and hindrancc.
English Puritans found a refuge in
Holland. but they soon became con-
vlnced that they needed another place,
and so thoy turned toward the New
World. God had prepared for them a
place of refuge, where they could set
I'D an almost Independent republic,
with n representative assembly and
freedom of the church from state inter-
ference, thus sowing the germs of the
principles embodied in tho Constltu-
tIon The hand OF God is plainly Wis
ible In this.
And then, later. when the colonies
OF the New World were called upon to
defend with arms their right to rep
resentation. 1t is clear that they were
under divine care and guidance. Few.
II any. realized when 1.-The cmbattled
farmers stood and fired the shot heard
round the world" at the bridge near
Concord that A great nation was about
Ing OF the days OF sorrow and pain
that followed the first defeat OF the
British troops. The patriots were,
seemingly. badly equipped for a con-
lict with a great nation; they had
neither money nor ammunition. nor
training: but they had patriotism; they
loved liberty more than life: and they
had, among other great leaders. George
Washington.
The Lord had raised up this man for
this particular crisis In the worlds
history. He became the leader both In
war and peace. He was a man OF OK
traordlnary industry and mastery of
details. In the field he became in
vincible because he was taught by his
defeats how to conquer. His was a
rugged manliness that inspired conf
dence by both friends and enemies. In
the public assemblies he manifested
wisdom and patience, and he exercised
an Influence over men that made him
their leader. He was well trained In the
school of life for the part he had to play
God raised him up. just az he called
and trained Moses. of old. TO become
the rather" of n nation
The government OF the United States
being established. the lesson OF tolor-
ance and religious liberty had to bo
learned. The Church of England was
the official church of Virginia, the Car
ollnas and New York. The Congre-
gational church was supported by
public taxation in New Hampshire.
Massachusetts. 0ncluding Maine and
Plymouth). and Connecticut In Rhode
Island, the Jerseys. Pennsylvania.
Maryland. and Delaware there was no
state church. Side by side with these
churches there were Baptists in Rhode
iaiand; Preshyteriana Eneliah as