IT UPSETS THEIR THEOLOGY. 285 discoursings upon providence furnish a striking illustration. We of course admit, that while the whole world agree in holding to a doctrine of providence, men often differ as to the doctrine itself; as to its extent, whether general only or particular, or both; whether it is concerned only in the great affairs of the world, the marked and unusual occurrences, or extends to all events alike, great and small; whether it controls and works through the free volitions of men, or only reaches outward things; whether its ends are accomplished through wicked agents as directly and efficiently as through the good and holy, or only through the latter; and a thousand other questions, which theologians and metaphysicians have discussed more or less from time immemorial. We do not name these differences to enter into any examination of them. Our present business is more simple. The divines who are foremost in the apologetical literature of the rebellion, so far as this has come more immediately under our observation, and from which we cite examples, are of the same school in theology with ourselves. They have received the same standards of faith, and when adopting them received the doctrine of providence therein set forth, which substantially is that received by nearly the whole Christian world. We doubt whether they ever would have so widely departed from it under any other influence than that of this rebellion, sion: "It must be confessed that our 'invasion' just at this moment looks like one of the most paltry affairs of the war. Washington was not taken. Baltimore was not taken. The Yankeeized population of Martinsburgh has embraced their townsman Hunter again. Not a bridge of the road between Washington and Baltimore was burned. The road itself was unbroken. What has been done then? What bas yet been obtained by these opportunities,-Lynchburg and Washington,-the like of which Providence has not vouchsafed since the first year of the war? One house has been burned; two thousand head of cattle brought off; Major-General Tyler and Major-General Franklin were taken prisoners and both permitted to escape. Let us hope, and pray, and trust, that the story still is left half told." which with them has overturned some of the fundamental principles in morals as well as theology. THE TRUE DOCTRINE OF PROVIDence. That doctrine of providence is thus concisely expressed: 'God's works of providence are His most holy, wise, and powerful preserving and governing all His creatures; ordering them, and all their actions, to His own glory." This is simple, comprehensive, and unquestionably founded on the teachings of Scripture. Its purport is plain. It sweeps the universe. It leaves nothing without the control of God. Not a sparrow can fall to the ground without His notice, nor is a hair of any head unnumbered. It embraces men, angels, demons, races of men, nations, families, and the concerns and interests of each and of all; and directs all things for great purposes of good to those who love God, and for glory to His great name. If the Ruler of the Universe is indeed GOD, then He will do His pleasure in heaven and upon earth, and no being or thing can thwart His plans. SOUTHERN EXPOSITION OF IT.-DR. PALMER. Now observe how some of the high priests of the rebellion preach upon this doctrine. We will let Dr. Palmer lead the way, in his Thanksgiving Discourse before referred to. He sets out with the undoubted truth, that nations have a special destiny to fulfil in the designs of God; that "a nation often has a character as well defined and intense as that of an individual;" that "this individuality of character alone makes any people truly historic, competent to work out its specific mission, and to become a factor in the world's progress." He says, also, concerning the crisis then reached, that, "in determining our duty in this emergency, it is necessary that we should first ascertain PROVIDENCE FRUSTRATED. 287 the nature of the trust providentially committed to us." Having ascertained, as he supposed, what the special trust of the South was in the plans of God, he then declares it, and gives assurance of providential security in its execution, as follows: The particular trust assigned to such a people becomes the pledge of Divine protection, and their fidelity to it determines the fate by which it is finally overtaken. What that trust is, must be ascertained from the necessities of their position, the institutions which are the outgrowth of their principles, and the conflicts through which they preserve their identity and independence. If, then, the South is such a people, what, at this juncture, is their providential trust? I answer, that it is to conserve and to perpetuate the institution of slavery as now existing. PROVIDENCE FRUSTRATED. The announcement in the last sentence, declaring what the providential trust of the South was understood to be, is the substratum of the whole discourse. We do not, just here, propose to dispute so remarkable a proposition. We have only given this passage as opening the way for exhibiting some views of providence which are quite as remarkable; indicating that the preacher supposes it within the power of man to frustrate God's plans, and betraying an excited fear not merely that He might do so in matters then undeveloped, but charging directly that it had already and most grossly been done, as seen in the election of the Chief Ruler of a great nation, and in the special bearings of that election upon God's providence, showing a positive interference by the electors with "the particular trust assigned" to the South, in the execution. of which they had "the pledge of the Divine protection." But let the preacher speak for himself: All that we claim for them (the slaves) and for ourselves is liberty to work out this problem, guided by nature and God, without obtrusive interference from abroad. These great questions of providence and his * tory must have free scope for their solution; and the race whose fortunes are distinctly implicated in the same, is alone authorized, as it is alone competent, to determine them. It is just this impertinence of human legislation, setting bounds to what God only can regulate, that the South is called this day to resent and resist. * * The Most High, knowing His own power, which is infinite, and His own wisdom, which is unfathomable, can afford to be patient. But these self-constituted reformers must quicken the activity of Jehovah, or compel His abdication. * * * It is time to reproduce the obsolete idea that Providence must govern man, and not that man should control Providence. * * ** These fierce zealots undertake to drive the chariot of the sun; working out the single and false idea which rides them like a nightmare, they dash athwart the spheres, utterly disregarding the delicate mechanism of Providence; which moves on wheels within wheels, with pivots, and balances, and springs, which the great Designer alone can control. * Such an issue is at length presented in the result of the recent Presidential election. * * * The decree has gone forth, that the institution of Southern slavery shall be constrained within assigned limits. Though nature and Providence should send forth its branches like the banyan-tree, to take root in congenial soil, here is a power superior to both, that says it shall wither and die within its own charmed circle. What say you to this, to whom this great providential trust of conserving slavery is assigned? * * * SOUTHERN THEOLOGY REBUKED BY SCRIPTURE. How is it possible to explain that a sincere believer in the doctrine of providence, and Dr. Palmer is unquestionably a believer, can utter sentences of such impassioned earnestness against what he just as sincerely believes, in the events specified, to be direct infractions of God's providential prerogative? Admit, if you please, every specific thing over which he laments, the act, the design, the tendency, the motive, the result,-and still, is it not all a part of God's comprehensive plan? But, more especially, can any event occur among men which is more clearly providential, and as such more stupendously grand, than the election of a Chief Ruler by thirty millions of people SOUTHERN THEOLOGY REBUKED BY SCRIPTURE. 289 to preside over one of the greatest nations of the earth? Does Scripture point out any event as more specifically providential? "The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the Lord." "God is the Judge; He putteth down one, and setteth up another." "He removeth kings, and setteth up kings." Or does the Word of God declare any thing to be more strictly within the purview of His providence than human legislation ? "By me kings reign, and princes decree justice. By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth.” Or can the sentiment that God claims directly to govern nations, by His providence, and does actually so govern them through the lawfully constituted rulers of the world, be more definitely and broadly declared than it is; and that upon this ground, therefore, as well as upon other grounds, it is a heinous sin to resist their authority? "Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers; for there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God." Or, on the other hand, can any thing be found in Scripture which militates against the position that God works just as freely and efficiently, in accomplishing all the designs of His providence, through the folly of men as through their wisdom; through their imbecility as through their energy; their wickedness as their holiness? Is it not, rather, directly declared everywhere in His Word, that He works through and by all these characters and agencies; indeed, that He makes every thing bow to His will, in heaven, earth, and hell? "When He giveth quietness, who then can make trouble? and when He hideth His face, who then can behold him? whether it be done against a nation, or against a man only." "All the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and He doeth according to His will in the army of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay His |