Year: 1861




he does regard the prosperity of his own
church; he has respect for the future inter-
ests OF the world, and VIC cannot but feel that
all these are deeply involved in the future of
this nation. Here is a,cause worthy of the Di-
vine interposition, and certainly worthy of
our earnest prayers.


But it may be said that in most of the cases
referred to there was a miraculous interposi-
tion, such as we are not authorized to expect.
This is all true. But miracle is not neces-
sary for our preservation. The impending ca
lamity is not of such character as to require
the suspension of any law of nature in order
that it may be averted. 1t does not arise from
any cause beyond the reach of men, were they
only willing to reach it. The sins of the ma
tion are no doubt, with God, the procuring
cause of our trouble; but men, whose inter-
ests are involved, are the immediate cause /;
and so soon as they shall be brought to act in
accordance with sound sense and true patriot
ism, the danger will be removed. But the
hearts of all are in the hand of the Lord, as
the rivers of water he turneth them whittier
soever he will. How completely, then, is this
whole matter at his disposal and if we con-
fess our sins and forSake them, how confident
ly may expect that he will interpose. He
can calm the storm OF passion, renew the feel
ings of brotherly love, inf1ame the soul with
an ardent patriotism, and 10y his wisdom illu-
mine a pathway out Of these troubles, which
all will gladly follow.


Believing in the Divine sufficiency, and en-
couraged by knowledge of his mercy, we
bring the distracted condition of our country
to God in our prayers. The preservation of
our q nion is the great burden of our desire,
and for this we would pray most earnestly.
But if God may not grant this our request,
then let us seek to be delivered from the guilt
and calamities of civil war; let us entreat the
Lord that he may turn away his sore iudg
ments, and not pour out upon us the Vials of
his wrath.


But We must do more than pray. There is
a cause for our trouble. We were in the full
tide of prosperity the bountiful hand of Prov.
idence had blessed us with an abundant supply
Of the comforts of life; no pestilence swept
through our happy land ; no invading host
threatened our shores or disturbed our peace,
and yet we are suddenly brought to the verge
of ruin I? And why /? Is it chance that has
happened to us7 O.! no. The hand of Prov
dence is here, and that hand is never stretch
ed out but for good cause.


Our national and individual sins are, no
doubt, the procuring cause of our dangers /;
and if we would escape from these dangers,
We must strive to have the cause removed.
We must humble ourselves truly before God,
confess our sins, and implore his forgiveness.
Whilst the Divine blessing has made us pros
porous nation, our own hearts have waxed
proud, and our speech has become boastful /;





our power, and preserved by our wisdom We
have forgotten our obligations to God, and our
dependence upon him, and in our eager pursuit
of worldly gain, we have sacrificed Bible prin-
ciples and neglected solemn duties.


But the Lord our God is merciful, and this
is our hope. We know that elf We confess
our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive
our sins, and TO cleanse us from all unright-
eousness.'' Humbly confessing our sins be-
fore God, let us also cultivate love to our
brethren, and refrain from all hard speeches
which tend to wrath and strife; let us cult
vate the spirit of conciliation, and be ready to
make such concessions as can be made with
out sacrificing truth and righteousness. These
are not ours. They are of God, and have been
maintained in times past at the expense of
much blood, and we now dare not give them
up. But whatever other concessions the ext
gency of the case may require we should be
ready to make with hearty good will.


Thus occupying the attitude Of conciliation,
let us intercede with God for our beloved
country, not only at this time, but all the
time. not only in our public prayers, but in
our family and individual devotions, that he
may turn away his wrath, and preserve the
peace and unity of the nation.