l))\JL9.: DIVINE GUIDANCE. THE ^^^^^^^^^^ f^#l^ «4^ #^s mf IN LEBANON VALLEY COLLEGE. BY REV. E. S. CHAPMAN, A. M. Delivered June 1 0, 1875. l/TJTr DIVINE GUIDANCE. THE Baccalaureate Sermon IN LEBANON VALLEY COLLEGE. Delivered in the College Chapel on the lOth of June, A. D. 1875. BY REV. E. S. CHAPMAN, A. M. PUBLISHED BY REQUEST OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES. LEBANON, PA. : C. M. BOWMAN a'^CO., PRINTERS 1875' DIVINE GUIDANCE. Prov. 3:6. " In all thy ways acknowledge him and he shall direct thy paths. ' ' No subject of contemiilation possesses more of thrilling interest than the future of a liumau life. Tiiousli veiled in that darkness vvhich covers all the future, its vast [)ossibilities, its certainties and un- certainties sometimes rise before the imagination in pictures vivid and impressive. There are, with all of us, certain periods in life peculiarly calculated to awaken in the mind anxious inquiry respecting the future. To such a period have you arrived, my young friends, and God only knows how many nnxious inquiries respecting your future lives even novv are taxing the mind and heart of tliose you love. Into that dark future, which our knowledge can not enter, the imagination peers with wistful eye, and with fond affection traces for you the paths which buoyant hope suggests. As exi)erience casts its light upon the picture thus drawn in^ fancy, many ot its most attractive features are darkened by doubt, and vague uncertainty flits like a specter o'er the scene. A world of anxious inquiries arise in the mind respecting your future career, which fanc3' has vainly sought to sketch. What will your future be ? Will it be peaceful or tempestuous ; will it be darkened with sorrows or radiant with joy ; will it bring a realization of those fond hopes which now warm your hearts and nerve your arms, or will disappointment verify those anxious fears which ever and anon arise ; will it be a success or a failure ; a blessing or a curse ; will it be i)rotrncted or brief; will it be j)rematurely closed or will a v\\)Q old age rejoice m the treasures of a life well spent ? How will these thing? be ? Who of all the sous of men can tell ? Where sliall we look for an answer ? If v/e consult the records of the past we learn that while all desire to make of life a success, its pages are burtbened with the stor}' of utter failures. Though true success is worthy of the fondest desires and most vigorous efforts, it is not alone b}' fond desires and vigorous efforts that such a result is reached. Hence failure, is fitting word which closes the record of many an earthly life of liigh as- piration and persevering industry. Yast capabilities and rare culture do not furnish a certain guaranty of success, but often display the woefulness of failure. The strongest hu- man forecast, the keenest insight into the future, cannot determine, with any approximation to certainty, the ultimate tendency or result of any effort. The most wisely laid plans of life, the most maturely formed purposes, very seldom reach lealization and are often utterly thwarted by some unseen influence or hidden hand of destiny. The day whose morn- ing was bright and serene, often closes in deepest darkness. " We feel the mighty current sweep us on, Yet know not whither. Man lortells afar Tlie courses of the stars ; the very hour He knows when they shall darken or grow bright, Yet doth the eclipse of sorrow an I ot death Come unforewarned." With the future all wrapped in utter obscurity, how can you so solve ihe problem of life as to determine what that luture shall be ? We pause for an answer, and human knowledge, judgment and desire " Speak not a word, But, like dumb Statues or unbreathiujf stones, Stare each on other." And wh}'^ ? Because full well they know how powerless they are to lead to any certain issue. And is it true, that with all your yeais of ardent .toil, equipped with learning and decked with laurels of collegiate honors, you must now meet life's battle in utter ignorance of what the result will be ? It 'IS true indeed. And will no kind hand lift the curtain that conceals the future, that your paths of life may be so chosen as to secure for you the ends desired ? No, no. It ma3'' not, can not be. And is the picture sad ? Do you shrink from the contemplation of yourselves walk- ing the paths of life thus blind and ignorant ? As I love you and hope for your highest interests, my heart would sink in sadness as I state these truths, but for the unshaken confidence and unfaltering and unquestioning faith with which I point you to your better portion. As a perfect guar- anty of every desirable result, I bring to you to-day the solemn admo- nition and gracious promise of divine revelation. " In all thy ways acknowledge Him and H3 shall direct thy paths." In these words, all radiant with the light of divine love, may you find a practical solution of the vexed problem of life It is the divine claim, and the divine promise which here appear No tremor of uncertainty, no halting of doubt mai'ks the movements of the voice which is here lu'iinl This is the solemn asseveration of the Lord God Almighty, and'-'H^ wt'iiihty words does He speak. The extent of the divine elaim appears as covering- all our rightful pos- sibilities. In thought, and plan, and effort, in faith, and prayer, and prac- tice, God and His glory must be supreme. And God as He is, God as He has revealed Himself — watchful, loving, sympathizing — must our failh embrace and our ev«>ry power and effort acknowledge. "No God of icy theories and heahless speculations should we place upon the throne. In His own true character must He be acknowledged, or our assumed ac- kiiowk'd'jraent becomes positive denial. Such an acknowledgment embraces complete cheerful obedience to His every call Such is the elaim which He presents, and any failure to oljey in fuli involves denial of His claim, and hence of Him. No measur<'(l or ]iartial obedience, therefore, can fill the requirements here made. And not arbitrary or irksome are the duties thus enjoined, for did not the beloved disciple say, " His commands are not grievous?" Did not the sweet singer exclaim, " Oh, how love T Thy law," and did he not also declare of the man who walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, that his delight is in the law of the Lord ? There is here also displayed the extent of the human privileges. Ev- ei-y act may be an acknowledgment of God, every duty a religious duty. No mischievous separation, by wide distinctions, of duties into secular and ndigious, is here allowed, but in all alike must there be an acknowledg- ment of Ood. Such is the compass of the divine claim ; such is the ex- tent of human privilege's. Not alone in the sanctuary or the closet shmild we engage in divine service ; in all the duties of life, in securing an educa- ton, in choosing a profession and in selecting social or l)osom companions, should the divine claim be recognized, and the divine guidance invoked. Thus far our theme lias been circumscribed to the sphere of human eMetai)hors with which his writinLi'S so abound, the prophet Isaiah presenisthe divine pronuse, 58 : H, " The Lord shall <(uide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drou-iht, and make fat thy bones, and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water whose waiers fail not." Oomprehendinn- ad cduditions and eoveriny all periods of life is the guaranty recorded by the Psalmist, 48 : 14, " He will be our guide even unto death." In view of the ignorance and indiscretion so distinguished in man, the projihet of the Lord is permitted to say, Ls. 28: 26, " His God doth instruct him to discretion and teach him " It is a significant fact that while the directing influence of tlie inli- nitc mind is here most positively vouchsalcd, iIh; means or mannei- ot that direction is not even hinted at. It is obviously here implied that our acts in life and their res'dts, together with the great world of events over which we have no control, shall l)e so ord'/red as to result in our greatest good. We are not howevc^r to hope for the divine interposition to arrest the results of any willful violation of our relation to the uni- verse. We are provid(,'d with faculties by which we may learn our true relation to the universe, and we cannot iully acknowdedge God without the exercise of those faculties. But the bliiuiness and ignorance by which we are oppres.sed, call for more than is found within tiie compass of hu- man knowdedge and power, and it is tliis which is secured in the divine ])romise. Tliese flittering gems of sacred truth constilute a basis for our hopes as immutable and impeiishaljle as the throne of Oinuipotence. It is the province of faith to accept, with gratitude, the surety-thus af- forded, without reasons or inquiry, but if into the (ield thus opened wi; press our most critical investigations, we shall lind the hnindatious* for our confidence noi^ less secure in reason than in revelation. To no one of the many sources of human effort is the divine S|)irit liiidt d in its directing inlluence The entire '-ange is grasped in the infinil,e mind and subject to divine control. Upon all the springs of human conduct the f^pirit of God may move, and by agencies unseen and influences unknown the path of obedience may be constituted the path of safety and success. The very act of pdinonilion hero presented will of itself become a di- recting- auencr to those who in all t^ieir ways acknowledge Ilini. Such aa acknowledg-nient eniuraces an adjustment of our relations to both the ma- terial and spiritual world, of measureless value in its iiiQueucc upon our destiny. Au illustration drawn from the lessons of science may serve to dis])],:}' this truth. There are two forces, the centrifugal and centripetal, in perpetual and uniform o|)eration in the great s^'stem of worlds. UiKju the unvarying vigor aad action of these two forces depend all the advantages of tiie system. Either without the other would work ut- ter ruin. By the \ig()rous and uniform action of both the vast system, moved by the power of its centrifugal force, dashes away through the depths of spac(! with a velocity Which seems to portend immediate and ut- ter destruction, yet held by centripetal power, and without tlie least vari- ation, within its uwn orbit, and to the accomplishment of its (nvu grand missiiM). Xot e itirely unbke these forces in nature, are those influences which opeiate in the realm of accountable beings. Instinct with activity are all the children of men. In body, mind and heart there is a perpetual ten- dency to action.' Herein is the force corresponding to the centrifugal force in nature. Prompted by this native activity, man pluttges into schemes and efl'urts of every conceivaI)le character, and is involved in turmoils and contentions not unlike the wild chaos which would be seen in the planetary World if only centrifugal force were in operation. But for man there is provided a remedy for i.ll these ills. As the planets are held in tlieir orbits by the centripetal force of attriiction to the sun, and pojarring or collision occurs, so may man be held in his proper orbit by the power of loving obe- dience to he divine mandates, and may ever revolve around the I)right Sun of Righf-ousness, in perpetual peace and holy joy. His affectionate obedience to the diviiK! will, gives direction to his efforts, and hence, as is declared by the wise man. Proverbs 11 : 5, " The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way." Herein would be found an unfailing panacea for every earthly ill, if liumun Unijwledge of duty vvas i)erfect, and all men would obey tlie diviae la>v. In so fir as iucn m knowledge grasps the divine law, and tlie human heart will yield obudienye to its chiiras, there will be that direction of lii.^5 paths of which we are speaking. But human knowledge is limited and the world is lull <.>f wickedness. Beyoml our control are influences in [lerpetuiil activity and iuimic;d to our highest interests. To meet the wants thus arising, the hand of Omnipotence is extended a,,f} its aid kindly proffered. Replete with precions assurances are those o-enis of sacred truth, ia which that aid is tendered. Cova'riiig' the eutire rana'e of causes which war aaainst our interests, these precious jiromises guaranty to us the direct interposition of God to uive to our cft'.irts tlie ri^ht direction, and control or overrule, as may be best, every event or effort inimical to our welfare and success. In all this there is nothing in conflict with the teachings of science or the deductions of sound reason. True there are within the range of hu- raen knowledge, fixed and injuiutable laws, but the divine interposition in human affairs involves no conflict with tiio.se laws or their uniform opera- tions. Through the ordinary operations of natural causes, the divine di- rection mav be bestowed. For instance, human eifjrt, in the main, is in accordance with the promptii^gs of desire or inclination. In the ordinary current of events, incentives arise which awaken the desires leading to endeavor These events mav arise from the operations of fi.xed law in ibe ma- terial world, or they may lie withiii the realm of free will, lint all ihese regions are alike under the Infinite eye and sultjcct to His ciMitrol. In the renlm of material things many causes of human choice may ari.se; heat and cold, storm and calm, light and darkness, may become the determining cause of human effort and may seem to determine with heartless seve\ ity the destiny of mortals. A severe t-torm delayed a train by which, in some way, our entire future life was determined. It may be that while thus de- layed an acquaintance was formed which resulted in vast consequences to us, and in a limitless number of ways may momentous interests be in- volved in what niay si'em the invariable! workings of invariable forces. Here there may seem to be no sphere for divine interposition These operations of nature are fixed for all time and can not be interfered with- it is vain to think t)f divine direction so long as our efforts in life and their results are so intimately connected with these operations of invariable natural law. But it is not wise to overlook the fact that even in the ope- rations of nature the line of causation is to but a limited extent known to us. From the meager glimpses which we have gained, shall we attempt to decide what God can and what he can not do, while away back in the unknowable, into the depths of infiaity, extend the lines of causation in every movement of nature or free will ? How dare we leave (Jod, or his direct and immediate agency, out of the heat or the cold or any physical condition or movement, when such a mere glimpse only is given us of the the causes of anv results? But the influence which these material condi- tious and operations may have in determining our destiny depends largely, if not entirely, upon the relationship which sve may sustain to them, and that lelationship may arise from considerations of a purely intellectual or spiritual character. A thought springing up in the mind tinds expression in a word or act, Ity which is begun a line ()f causes, whose importance, ever widening and extending, exhausts compulation. But whence aro.^e that thought? Can science discover its source, or reason point out its origin ? In its results we discover the blending of the material and imma- terial, the intermingling of mental action with physical phenomena, but of oiigin we know only that it arose an thoughts are continually aris ng, frou! the mysterious depths of the human intellect. It is not inconsistent with reason to claim that the divine Spirit approaches especially near to us, and holds intimate communion with us, in this realm of intellectual exercise. We may not be able to determine to our entire satisfaction the precise modus ope/ audi by which the divine Spirit touches and influences human thnught and inclination, and still leaves intact man's freedom of choice. To our feeble vision there may here appear, if not a paradox, at least a myster}^. But what field of thought opens before us, into which we may not plunge far beyond the soundings of our deepest sea lines ? Human thought and desire are in themselves unfathomable my.-teries, and their subjection to the immediate and perpetual influence of the divine Spirit neither increases nor diminishes the depth of their mystery. Not less impressive and mysteiious is the fact of mutual human influence, which, though instiu(;t with power, crosses not the threshold of conscious freedom of choice. Within this realm of thought may the divine s^jirit exercise its direct- ing influence. Here may there be suggested or prompted by the spirit of God, those views of duty, those conceptions of truth by which our _eft'ort9 in life are determined. Thus may we walk in the paths of our own chojsing, while the choice we make is prompted by the divine Spirit. To what extent the divine guidance may be given through the influence of the Holy Spirit upon the mind and heart, we may not be able fully to de- termine, but of this we. may be sure, the views of duty and the promptings of the heart when we are living near the Lord will constitute a means of guidance, if not infallible, at least of great value. But beyond all that has thus far occupied ouratteution, there is a work of still greater importance. Xot only must the inclinations of our hearts be such as to prompt to wise endeavor, but tht. outside world of conflicting causes and agencies, must be made subservient to our interests. The ])lot- tings and efforts of wicked men, the intoward concurrence of ci lO ices, the bidden band of destruction are all arrayed against us. But in all tbe realm of causation reigns tbe Infinite Mind. In the midst of all these conflicting forces, God moves in majesty and without molestation. Back of all phenomena he acts upon all tbe lines of causation. Within the realm of free will he grants volition. If here, in the exercise of this volition, God be our choice, the finite is merged into the infinite, the divine will becomes our will, and thus, lost to self and swallowed up in God, we shall walk the paths of life without the possibility of failure or loss. As well may tbe forces of nature seek to destroy God or defeat his pur- poses as to compass tbe ruin of him who in all his Avays acknowledges God. Like one of old, be " vvalks with God," and hence in tbe paths of his highest interests. In the dark days of the war, at a time of great interest and upon an occasion of much importance, I heard a distinguished American statesman, while speaking of the anxious fears of his friends, lest some blunder of bis should secure defeat, with much earnestness and emotion say: "Fellow citizens, the man who steadfastly fixes his eye upon the pole star of jus tice, can't make a blunder !" How true is this of the man who " walks with God !" By this it is not meant that he sliall not in any case fall, but " if be fall, he shall not be utterly cast down, for the Lord upholdeth him with his hatid." ISTor would we claim that he ?hall never err in jud^-ment respecting duty for tho' " a man's heart deviseth bis ways, yet the Lord directs his steps." Neither can he rest in certainty of havino: no enemies to his interests, but, "If a man's ways please the I^ord, be maketh even bis enemies to be at peace with him." — (Prov. xvi : 7.) The paths in which we are led, may not be such as seem to us desirable or of good promise. A shorter, but not a safer path to our land of prom- ise may lie through the land of the Philistine, yet by the way of the Bed Sea and the Desert we may be led. A traveler, bearing great treasures, was led by his guide out of the fre- quented path in the valley and -^ver rough and winding ways upon the mountain side. When at length, weary and indignant, he remonstrated with his guide, and reproached bim for his infidelity, with calmness he pointed out to him the camp fires of the enemy in the valley below, whose murderous assaults they had escaped by following the rugged path upon the mountain brow. A mother kneeled with bleeding heart by the cold icy form of her first born Bitter was her anguish, and unreconciled was her heart Tho' not in words, yet in heart, she reproached God for his 11 '^^ severe judgment?. At length, weary with her weeping, she slept a dreamy sleep. Again her babe was in her arms as beautiful and lovely as before. Rapidly the years rolled on, and, as in panorama, she saw his downvvard tending course. Step after step she saw him take down the steep descent of vice, until at length, blear-eyed and bloated, he made his last fatal plunge into crime, for which he paid the forfeit of his wretched life. Shriekinj? witii the agony of her heart she awoke from sleep. It was a vision in mercy given to display the mercy of the smiting hand. "U^'ith tears of joy she clasped the cold form to her breast and through her tears of gratitude looked up to heaven and by faith saw the true picture — her lovely babe, more beautiful than ever, clad in the garments of heaven and safe in the arms of Jesus. The ways of Providence have always been mysterious, but to those who acknowledge God they have been the ways of joy and peace. We do not always recognize the divine hand of love and mercy, but it is because of our blindness and lack of faith. Mary wept bitter tears in the gar- den even while Jesus stood and talked with her, but her grief was be- cause ''she kiieiD not that it was Jesus.''^ So often do we. But even in the fiercest storm which comes down upon life's sea, even in the darkest, wildest night of sorrow, if we will quiet tiie tumult of our fears, and listen, in spite of the fiercest dashings of the crested billows, and the loudest bowlings of the storm, we may beat the loving voice of Jesus saying, " It is I, be not afraid.'^ When our plans of life seem all subverted and our hopes forever crush- ed, if we turn to the chart of life like some bewildered traveler, we may read, (Is. xxiv : 16) " And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not, I will lead them in paths that they have not known, I will make darkness light before them and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them.'' Here, ray young friends, is the ricliest heritage of earth — the assurance of divine direction. All tlie vvealtli of learning can not be compared to tliis ; all the treasures of the deep are not worthy to be mentioned in connection with it. Every view which we take of ourselves displays the value of such a blessing. To a young person, just entering the busy contests of life, what can compare in value with an unfailing guide. Our utter ignorance of the future proclaims our need of such a guide. Nothing can exceed our blindness as to what is before us. Is. lix : 9," We wait for light, but behold obscurity; for brightness, but we walk in darkness. We grope for the A'ulk like the blind, and we grope as if 12 we had no eyes ; we stumble as in the iiiyht, we are in des(,late places as dead men." Even tht'se vigoivjus words of tlie prophet fail to expixss tlie lull ex- tcMit of our ignorance and blindness. Not less impressive is our defectiveness of judgment resi)ecting that which is wisest and best. Hv)vv clearl}' is this displayed in all the expe- rience of life. Tliat which ap|)ears to ns wise s^nd prudent often proves to !)■■ tln^ height of foli\'. To the.-e characteristics of our nature may be added the unreliability of our inclinations. What our natural hearts prompt us to do is often that which tends to our ruin. Thus, ignorant of the future, defective in judgmi-nt, and beset by dan- gerous desires, with what plaintive pleadings do the gieat interests of our lives call for a guiiling hand. Witiiont it, how prone are we lO grasp with eager greed the luring pleasures of the hour, and listen to the songs of sii'ens which compass our destruction. Without it, though blessed with strongest forecast, we know not what we want, and seek not what v\e need. A mothtr, I knew her well and loved her truly, sought and secur.d with joyful heart her son's escape from the military draft of our late war. With real joy she di^clared it to be just what she wanted and most needed. He could now be with her and engage with confidence in his labors. He too was glad, and with light heart entered the forests to fell the trees for the lumber of merchandise, Imt when the first huge walnut, severed at its base came crashing down, it entrapped him beneath its trunk and buried him out of sight. The mother now regretted her course and wish- ed him in the army. She sccur(;d what she sought, but it proved a snare and Source of sin'row. This is a representative case, coming under my own observation, and displaying our ignorance of what is wisest and best. Well may the wise man say, (Prov. xx : 24.) " Man's goings are of the Lord, how can a man then understand bis own way?" The value to us of this guiding hand appears frinn the further consider- ation that while under the divine direction, we have the pledge of the di- vine protection. The path in which we are led will be the path of safety. The advantage of that proection appears when we consider the dangers with which we are environed at every step of life. Evils of every spe- cies beset us on every hand, and press upon us with a degree of vigor, which we are utterly powerless to resist. They assail our bodies and prey upon our minds, the}' clamor for our blood, and watch with sleepless eye to secure the ruin of our souls. Men and beasts, the elements of ua- 13 ture and evil spii'iis, are marshaled in this hostile army. Envy, hatred and fiendish malevolence fire their zeal and direct their blows. Insinuation, slander and seduction are some of tlieir methods of attack. As the Hebrews crossed the Jordan while its waters rose high " upon a heap " by their side, pressing against the restraining hand and eager to engulf them in ruin, so do we walk the paths of life with foes to our welfare pressing with eease'.ess energy aguinst the restraining hand of God which guards us round about. But that hand of protection covers only the path of duty. Beyond that narrow way, thus f(;rever made secure, no guaranty of protection extends. It requires not th? smiting hand of divine wrath to prove to us that " the way of the transgressor is hard," for when in the path of disobe- dience the enemies to our interests may have unrestrained liberties with us, and no i)r()mise of heaven may be pleaded in our defence. Oh it is a fearful picture, but a true one. A helpless child, unsheltered from the fiercest hail storm, does not so call for pity as the servant of sin, unpro- tected by Crod. But the picture fo this wide contrast is not yet complete. To display the dangers of disobedience more fully, let us remember that all those divine influences which aflford protection to the obedient, are anangcd against those who are in the paths of transgression. The gravity of tiiis truth calls for its careful consideration. Let us present it utjder a similitude. The church of God is like a city well fortified. Upon the heights which surround are planted the batteries of God's protection. His jus- tice, His truth. His holiness, and all the attributes of His nature, are engaged to protect his people from every harmful influence. With ceaseltss activity these batteries i)Our forth their resistless tide of provi- dences and judgments, smiting with confusion and dooming to destruction every invading foe. Thus guarded upon every point, the security of God's people is complete. In the inspiring consciousness of their safety they may a[)pioi)riate the words of Israel's sweet singer : '' He that dwelleth in ihe secret place of the Most H'gh, shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord he is my refuge and fortress ; my God, in Him will I trust. Surely He shall de- liver thee from the snare of the fowler and from the noisome pestilence. He shall cover thee with his feathers and under his wings shalt thou trusi ; his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by ui^ht, nor for the arrow that flieth bv dav, nor for the ^1 14 nee that walketb in darkness, nor for the destruction tliat wasteth at noon day." All the vast range of metaphor which is embraced in this 91st Psalm, to declare the security of God's obedient children, may we adopt as ap- plied to ourselves, while we are wiihin this fortification whose ever active agencies accord us their protection, but the moment we step without its boundary, the moment we pass the boundary of duty, we place ourselves within the range of those fierce judgments of God, which were designed for our protection, and we are smitten down by the blow given by mercy for our safety and defence. It is not a picture but a reality, and if we fall and fail it will not be be- cause the means for our defence are imperfect, either in plan or operation,' but Ijecause in the exercise of our own volition we passed beyond the bounds of our privileges and fell under the weight of the blow which was struck in our defence. But the field of thought widens and extends as we advance. At every step new features of the divide guaranty appear. All nature is placed in vassalage to the Infinite mind that man's direction and safety may be com- plete. The agencies employed may seem remote from the result to be reached, but will at length appear as fitting parts of a most harmonious whole. Haman may plot destruction, and Mordica may be placed in jeopardy, but the sleepless night of Ahasuerus is made to serve the divire purpose, and " The righteous is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked cometh in bis stead." (Prov. xi : 8.) The angel of destruction may pass to and fro through the land, charged with the elements of death, and in every Egyptian house tli"re may be heard the wail of anguish, but no shadow or sorrow crosses the threshold where the blood-sprinkled door-posts proclaim obedience. When the fire-fiend dashed through the pine forests of Wisconsin, and fell like a thunderbolt upon the peaceful village of Peshtigo, a terrified mother thrust her little girl into an empty cistern, replaced its stone cover and fled for safety. When the work of destruction was complete and not a house or fence remained, she found with difficulty her way back to where her home had been, and with strong fear and tremblinii: hope, ap- proached the cistern and found her darling ^afe ! While the flames dash- ed madly forward, leaving only charred and blackened ruins in their path, the mother at a distance looked on and wept, but her darling in the cis- rn was secure from harm. 15 But there are fiercer fires than that which smote Peshtigo with instant and utter ruin, and there is jj^reater securit\^ than that which was afforded by this friendly cistern. This rich legacy of unfailing- guidance and com- plete security 1 proclaim to you to-day. And all this, in doing only that which it is your bounden duty to do. The promise is precious and sure and the precept is plain. In the same hand we hold both the precept and the promise ; if we relinquish our hold upon the precept the promise falls to the ground. Can interest and duty be more clearly pointed out ? But plain and precious as all this appears, it does not escape the assaults of criiieism, nor the sneers of blind unbelief. The voice of inspiiation, whose teachings we have been presenting, does not avail to silence the tongue of skepticism. Reason and science are invoked to unsettle confidence in the scriptural declarations of the divine purpose to hear and answer pi-nyer, and lead and protect His trusting children, as the shepherd leads and shiehls his flock. To the "invariable movements of invariable forces " are attributed all the phenomena of nature, and to the " uniform workings of natural law " are assigned the results which are believed to be brought about in answer to praj'er. But why should men seek thus to exclude from the affairs of the earth the agency of its Author ? Are the interests of society more secure when built upon the shifting sands of scientific theories, than when it raav be said, " underneath are the Everlasting Arms ?" Can we walk the devious pathway of life with greater surety of success, guided only by the ever varying compass of human knowledge and desire, than when our '' steps are ordered of the Lord ?" But, not to enter the inviting field of metaphysical discussion which here opens before us, let us test these theories in their application to the wants and woes of human life. Let us carry with us the frigid theory of lifeless, loveless law, and that of the overshadowing, felt presence of a kind and loving Father, Who hears the faintest sigh of sorrow, and relieves the humblest, weakest chdd that cries to Him for help. With these two tlieories — the scientist's and the Christian's — let us journey among our sorrowing fellows. If a doubting one is here we bid him come and test these theories by the touchstone of their application to, and relief of, hu- man wants and woes. But listen ! Ere we move, what sound is that, so soft and plaintive, now borne upon the evening breeze ? It is the voice of a child, a sweet, inno- cent little girl, in the dim tvvilight, kneeling and praying. She is the only child of a foreign missionary. Father and mother are both in the 10 far off heathen land, exposed to a thousand dangers. If they are sad, she can not, as of yore, so fill their ears v\iLh lier sweet prattle as to dispel their sorrow ; if they are sick, she can not bathe the tlirobbing brow or sing the heart to rest. This she can not do, but she can pray^ and when with the evening shadows there come fearful visions of fever and agony and death, she seeks lier quiet chamber, and with weeping eyes and aching heart she pours out into the ear of her heavenly Faiher, her earnest prayer for the protection of " Papa and. mamma in India." She believes in prater, and when her yearnings have thus found expression, confident of having been heard, confident of the power of prayer to pre- vail witli God, she dries her tears and sings a sweet song of praise and thanksgiving, Now. my brother, go to her, if you can, witli your chilling words of natural law and " invariable forces." Te"l lier, it" you can, that there is no loving Father who heeds her cries, and who will take care of *' Papa and mamma in India." Tear down that lovely cit.ulel of C(jnfidence and faith in which she rests so swceily, and build about her your castle of solid ice. Falsieci would be the tongue whicli would seek to destroy thit simple child-like fuitli. But go with me to the fireside, where parents and children are wont to gather Deep solemnity rests upon every face, aud sad and solemn words fall from every one. For the first time the family circle is to be broken. Ah! what solemn recollections throng upon the mind, as we speak of the first breaking up of the family circle Thus it is here. Henry is going to a distant land to seek his fortune. They are all pray- ing christians, and before the final adieu is heard they agree to kneel together once more at the family altar and offer earnest prayer for Gud's protection and guidance of the dearly loved wanderer. This is their only comfort now and a blessed comfort it is. But speak to them, ray brother, as they are about to fall before God and invoke His favor. Stop them, and, with tearless eye and icy breath, speak to then) ol' " immutable forces and inevi- table results." Tell them, if you can, that God will not heed their prayers, nor give to Henry any protection or guidance, because of their petitions. But you do not speak. Cold theory, cold comfort ! Go out upon the bil- lowy deep, when " He raiseth the stormy wind which liftetli up the waves thereof, when they mount up to the heavens and go dowu again, to the depths and are at their wits end. Then they cry unto the I^ord and He bringeth them out of their trouble." Tell them now of the folly of prayer, and amid the roar and tumult of the storm whisper in their ears about inv^ariable results aud inflexible law. Go where the mother weeps by the cot of her first born. Hear her cries as she witnesses the contor- tions and spasms of congestion, or hears the senseless gibberish of deli- rium. As with tearful eyes and sjnnpathizing heart I stoop and whisper in her ear the sweet word Jesus, as I speak of the " Friend that's ev'er near," and bid her " cast all her care upon him, for he careth for her," do you, my brother, speak whntever word.s of comfort you can gather from the heartless workings of natural law. Bid her look to that, and tru!