disappointment. Those whom we had thought good men sometimes discover themselves to be far otherwise. Those who had been zealous advocates of the truth sometimes turn against it. Our plans for doing good often fail, through the apathy or the unchristian conduct of our professed brethren. When the good man sees such results from the efforts of himself and his friends, what encouragement can he have to make further exertions? What can prevent his sitting down in despair? The universal agency of God is his only support. Infinite wisdom and goodness is directing all these things. In this precious truth the good man may find consolation and support, in times of the greatest darkness to the Church. He may be certain that God will give such an issue to every enterprise, as is most desirable on the whole; and that all the trials and disappointments of his people, will, in the end, contribute to the advancement of the cause on which they have set their hearts.

The belief of the universal agency of God will give the Christian more exalted thoughts of God. Some pious men have found this to be true, by their own experience, and have expressed themselves to that effect, in very striking terms. They were, indeed, good men before they embraced this doctrine, and they had respectful thoughts of God, according to what they saw of him; but now, their views of him are greatly enlarged, and their thoughts of him are far more exalted. And the belief of this doctrine has a powerful tendency to produce this effect. For the more the good man sees of God, the more glorious and excellent does he appear. And the belief of this doctrine leads the good man to see far more of God than he did before. While he considered him as exercising no agency in the government of the world, and discovered no hand of his in passing events, he saw, comparatively, very little of him. But now that he sees his hand in every event, he realizes his constant presence, in a much higher degree. He sees him in every thing. A sparrow cannot fall to the ground, nor a hair drop from his head-not the least event can take place, but it furnishes him with an occasion of seeing and admiring the perfections of him, who is not only the great Creator and Preserver, but the all-wise, and powerful, and beneficent Governor of the

universe.

The belief of the doctrine of the universal agency of God will tend greatly to preserve the Christian from backsliding and apostasy. It will be a great safeguard against temptation. Let the Christian have a deep sense of the divine presence, everywhere, and at all times, and it will prove a powerful motive to resist even the approaches of evil. The presence of a fellow-creature whom we highly respect, is a powerful restraint

upon us.

Much more, then, would a sense of the divine presence restrain us. The belief of this doctrine will restrain us in another way. It teaches us not to regard as unimportant the smallest event which God employs his agency in bringing to pass. It guards us therefore against regarding any sin as a little sin, and teaches us to watch against the first beginnings of backsliding from God.

The belief of the universal agency of God will tend to make the Christian humble and thankful. Humility and gratitude are certainly very important traits in the Christian character; and it is highly desirable that they should be increased to the utmost extent. The belief of this doctrine tends powerfully to increase them. It is not strange that those who deny this doctrine should think more highly of themselves than they ought to think. If they make themselves to differ; if it is to their own superior wisdom and goodness that all their excellence is to be ascribed; if God does nothing, in forming their character, or in crowning their enterprises with success; then self-exaltation is the natural consequence. But if God forms the character of man, and makes one to differ from another; if he gives men prudence and wisdom, and crowns their enterprises with success, then humility and gratitude are the feelings proper to be exercised.

The belief of the universal agency of God will help the Christian to see the use and necessity of prayer. There is, no doubt, a deplorable deficiency in the Christian world, in regard to the duty of prayer. And it is probably to be ascribed, in a great degree, to a prevailing opinion that it is of little use. And the disbelief of the agency of God in the government of the world, naturally tends to diminish our sense of the importance of prayer. For, of what use can it be to pray to God, if he never does any thing in answer to our prayers? Why should we ask him to exert his agency in our behalf, when we do not believe he exerts his agency at all? Some have seemed to admit the correctness of these conclusions, and have conceded that prayer is of no other use than as it has influence upon our own hearts. Is it true, then, that prayer is of no other use? Is the design of it simply to put our hearts in a proper frame? Are we directed in the Scriptures to go to God, and ask him to do certain things for us, not because he ever does such things, but merely that we may thus prepare ourselves for what creatures may do? How does this comport with the promises God has made in the Scriptures to hear and answer prayer? And how does it comport with the instances actually recorded of the prevailing influence of prayer? And how does it comport with the language used in prayer by the Scripture saints, who spake as they

were moved by the Holy Ghost? It is highly desirable that every Christian should understand the subject of prayer, so as to feel its importance, and be induced to pray without ceasing. And if he believes that God governs the hearts of men, and brings all events to pass by his own agency, he will be assisted in discovering the use and importance of prayer. He will be able to see that it is not only of use to himself, to put his own heart in a proper frame, but may also be of use to all for whom he prays. He will see that prayer may have a prevailing influence with God, to obtain blessings for himself and others. He will see how the prayer of Jacob could prevail with God to deliver him out of the hand of Esau; and how God could hear and answer his prayers, and incline the heart of his wicked brother to show him kindness. And in this view of the subject, he will feel no embarrassment from the consideration that God does all things according to a fixed plan; for he will see that those prayers may have been included in that plan, as well as the answers to them. Let all Christians believe the doctrine of the universal agency of God, and in connection with it, let them examine what is said in the Scriptures respecting prayer, and they will soon see a propriety and an importance in that duty, far beyond what is at present felt. They will see how their prayers may procure blessings, not for themselves only, but for the whole world; and not for the present generation only, but for generations yet unborn. And when they shall feel the full importance of the subject, when they shall see the use and necessity of prayer, as they are to be seen in the light of this doctrine, then may we expect that Christians will cry unto God day and night in behalf of his Church; and that he will graciously hear their petitions, and show mercy to his

chosen.

Ard. I am satisfied that the doctrine of the universal agency of God is not a matter of dry and cold speculation, as many seem to think it. It is a doctrine rich in practical consequences.

Th. Yes; the belief of it, and an abiding sense of its truth, tends most powerfully to make those who believe it, consistent, thorough, and vigorous Christians. Correct views of God, an habitual sense of his presence, entire confidence in him, a spirit of prayer, a disposition to discharge every duty, however painful, a spirit of forbearance and forgiveness, a firm reliance on the divine promises, deep humility and gratitude, are the genuine effects of this doctrine upon those who cordially embrace it. And what traits in the Christian character are more desirable than these?

Ard. If this doctrine is so useful, I suppose we might expect it would be abundantly taught in the Scriptures.

Th. And so it is. In looking over the Bible in relation to this subject, I have been astonished to find how much more this doctrine is taught than any other single doctrine in the whole Christian system. But when we consider its practical uses, we discover a good reason. It is so abundantly taught, because it is so abundantly useful. The people of God have need of it, day by day. They need to have an abiding sense of his presence, at all times. In no situation or circumstances in which they can be placed, are they safe a single moment, without a deep sense of their dependence upon God. But while they see his hand in every event, and the feelings of their hearts correspond with their belief, they are safe in every situation, and may rejoice in the Lord under all circumstances. And how happy will heaven be, to the people of God, who delight in his presence, and rejoice in all his perfections. They will then see how those perfections have been exhibited in all that he has done. They will see that in working all things after the counsel of his own will, he has executed the wisest and best designs, in the wisest and best manner. They will see the wisdom and the goodness of all those events which now appear so dark and mysterious. They will see that his hand has directed every event, and caused all things to conspire together to promote the glory of his own great name, and the highest sum of good in the intelligent universe. And while they trace each event, from its commencement to its ultimate consequences, and make new discoveries of the divine perfections at every step, their souls will be filled with the most ecstatic delight, and their tongues will be employed in the liveliest expressions of wonder, love, and praise.

Then the pilgrims sung the following hymn:

"Though troubles assail, and dangers affright,
Though friends should all fail, and foes all unite;
Yet one thing secures us, whatever betide,
The Scriptures assure us, the Lord will provide.

The birds without barn or storehouse are fed;
From them let us learn to trust for our bread:
His saints what is fitting shall ne'er be denied,
So long as 'tis written, the Lord will provide.

When Satan appears to stop up our path,
And fill us with fears, we triumph by faith;
He cannot take from us. though oft he has tried,
This heart-cheering promise, the Lord will provide.

He tells us we're weak, our hope is in vain,
The good that we seek we ne'er shall obtain;
But when such suggestions our spirits have plied,
This answers all questions, the Lord will provide.

When life sinks apace, and death is in view,
The word of his grace shall comfort us through;
No fearing or doubting with Christ on our side,
We hope to die shouting, the Lord will provide."

CHAPTER LXIII.

By this time the pilgrims had crossed the plain of Ease, and arrived at the further side of it, where Christian and Hopeful had met with Demas, near the hill Lucre. And I observed that a large village had grown up here, inhabited by those who were intent on acquiring wealth; and that quite a long row of shops were built by the way-side, where were exposed to sale all such commodities as were found in Vanity Fair. As soon as they entered the village, a man met them, and inquired what they would buy, or whether they would take up their residence here, and engage in traffic.

Thoughtful. We are travellers to a far country, and have no desire to tarry long by the way. We seek for durable riches and righteousness, and not for such gains as are to be acquired in this place.

Man. But you need not relinquish your journey altogether: you may stop here for a season, and engage in the business of the place. And, after having acquired a suitable sum to provide for yourselves, and those dependent upon you, which will not take a long time, you may then resume your journey. Great fortunes are made here, in a short period.

Ard. By what means are they made?

Man. By traffic. We buy and sell. We take care to furnish our shops with such articles as are most in demand, and then take advantage of a rise in the value, and sell out. That is the way of the world.

Th. I see no objection to an honest traffic. It is very necessary for the accommodation of the public that some should engage in the business of furnishing the market with such articles as others need. But I suppose it is a business that presents many temptations, and is attended with many dangers.

Man. All are not sufficiently prudent. And a man who has accumulated a large sum, will, sometimes, in the hope of adding largely to it, run a risk which deprives him of all.

Th. This comes of too eager a desire after wealth. An honest business, and moderate profits, with steady application.