ProvidenceinAmerica OR The Problems of Self -Gov- ernment BY CLARENCE A. VINCENT Minister First Congregational Church, Sandusky, Ohio. Copyrighted, THE ALVORD-PETERS COMPANY, PUBLISHERS. I-* \nrj ^ 17822 PRESS OF THE ALVORD-PETERS COMPANY, NEW YORK, SANDUSKY, OHIO. IWOuOrltoiicGtiVtD. 2nd COPV. 'Proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof." CONTENTS, I. THE SCRIPTURES AND NATIONAL I^IFE 7 II. PROVIDENCE IN AMERICA'S DISCOVERY 27 III. PROVIDENCE IN ITS PHYSICAL FEATURES .... 40 IV. PROVIDENCE IN ITS SETTLEMENT . 58 V. PROVIDENCE IN ITS DEVELOPMENT 73 VI. providence: in ITS CRITICAL PERIODS 87 vii. providence in its leaders . t05 viii. providence in its present perils ii8 ix. what does god expect of america? i38 x. the church and america's future 161 xi. the home and america's future i9i xii. america's future assured 204 xiii. english-speaking nations and the world's future . . . 226 TO THE GROWING NUMBER IN THE CHURCH OF CHRIST WHO APPRECIATE THE PRINCIPLES AND PROBIvEMS OF AMERICA AND THE RESPONSIBIEITY AND PRIVII.EGE OF THE CHURCH 13 THIS VOI.UME DEDICATED BY THE AUTHOR. PREFACE. The synon^^m for America's past is achievement; for its present, responsibility; for its future, oppor- tunity. Its brief life has been one of great strug- gles at great odds — a David fighting a Goliath — but of marvelous victories. The present finds it faced by many and satanic enemies, but courageous, de- termined, and hopeful — a Gideon and his three hun- dred joining battle with the horde of Midianites. The future beckons it on to the completion of those vast undertakings which it has set itself to accom- plish. We see written upon its history the name of the Lord, and we hear the Spirit speaking to it now, as to the church in Philadelphia, ' ' I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not de- nied my name." The writer of this book has been impressed in all his study of American history that the hand of God can be as plainly seen in it as in the records of the children of Israel, and that upon this nation God has laid a peculiar responsibility. It has seemed to him that at this time, when so many problems demand solution and so many battles are thrusting themselves upon us, the attention of the Lord's chosen and heroic band should be directed to the marked evidences and incidents of God's provi- dence, and, in the light of this, to our peculiar mis- sion and the brightness of our hope. He sends it forth, then, believing that the Spirit has led to its preparation and will use it in the furtherance of the kingdom. O God, our heip in ages past, Our hope for years to come, Our shelter from the stormy blast, And our eternal home. Under the shadow of thy throne Thy saints have dwelt secure; Sufficient is thine arm alone, And our defense is sure. Before the hills in order stood. Or earth received her fame. From everlasting thou art God, To endless years the same. O God, our help in ages past. Our hope for 3'ears to come ! Be thou our guard while troubles last, Ar.d our eternal home. — Isaac Wails. PROVIDENCE IN AMERICA. I. THK SCRIPTURES AND NATIONAL LIFE. At our mother's knee we first learned of the children of Israel. With thrilling in- terest we followed them in their wanderings, shocked at their disobedience and listening with hushed hearts to the record of God's care. It seemed to us then that God walked and talked with them as a father walks with his children across the fields, and. while guiding their feet, talks of his plans for their lives. As age comes and we read the history with more mature minds, the impression, while it becomes less gross, deepens, as we see the tenderness of that care and the greatness and wideness of those purposes which he w^as working out through them. The promise of God's care over the indi- vidual life of each child of his is one of the rich heritages of the soul. The trust of David, ''The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want," and the wader sweep of Paul's confidence, ' ' I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep o PROVIDENCE IN AMERICA; that which I have committed unto him against that day," are examples of the as- surance that speaks forth from almost every page of the Scriptures. Through all the dark ages since Paul's day there have been choice souls who have heard these voices of cheer. Poets have sung of this care, martyrs in the hour of persecution and death have found strength in it, and the saints of all climes have amidst the turbulence of life walked in perfect peace because of it. lyife without this confidence would be night with the stars gone. None the less sure is the teaching of the Scriptures upon God's care over nations. This we need to have clearly in mind before we study the history of our own nation. 1 . The nature and character of God in- sure his care. He is omniscient, omni- present, omnipotent, immutable, just, holy,, good, faithful, and " is love." He created the world and placed man upon it. He has sent his Sen to redeem it. Accepting the Bible outline of God's nature and character, we must accept the necessary ergo that he cares with perfect care for those persons and nations that do his will. 2. The purpose of God. He has found- THE SCRIPTURES AND NATIONAL EIFE. 9 ed a kingdom upon the earth. This kingdom is to be world-wide — is to control the world' s life. A kingdom means loyal subjects, but it means more— loyal subjects united in one effort and with a single aim. Thus we have nations whose purpose is the carrying out of God's purpose — the bringing of the uni- versal kingdom. He will not leave such a company to the destruction of wicked men, nor fail in the carrying out of his plans by neglecting those upon whom the consum- mation rests. We must not in our doubt charge upon the Lord what would be a libel upon finite character and wisdom. It is the iUvStability of children and of weak-minded or immoral men that permits their plans to fail from neglect. 3. The promises of the Scriptures. The author of the thirty-third Psalm has a wide horizon. He calls upon the righteous to re- joice in the Lord. He created the heavens and the earth. He governs the world. All kings and nations, whether they obey him or not, are instruments in his hand. He gives special knowledge, protection, help and joy to his own chosen people. There- fore should they praise him. In this song he declares a great truth, whose application lO PROVIDENCE IN AMERICA, is as wide as the world, ' ' Blessed is the nation whose God is the lyord; and the peo- ple whom he hath chosen for his own in- heritance. ' ' And in another psalm he sings, "Happy is that people whose God is the Lord." The Lord said to Moses, speaking of the children of Israel, ' ' Oh that there were such an heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments al- ways, that it might be well with them, and with their children forever ! " ^ Before this the Lord had promised, ** Now, therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treas- ure to me from among all peoples: for all the earth is mine: and ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation,"^ Any one with a concordance can multiply these promises. They all teach in general that God punishes those nations that com- mit sin, and b' esses those that do his will. National disaster is certain outside of God., National success is assured in him. 4. Special incidents. The promises are strengthened by recorded incidents of pun- ishment and favor. Israel's history is a 1 Deut. V :C9. 2 Exodus XIX :5-6. THE SCRIPTURES AND NATIONAI^ LIFE. 1 1 continual illustration that sin is a nation's ruin and righteousness its life. The greater part of the Old Testament Scriptures might be appended in witness of this assertion. The Red Sea, with its destruction to Pharaoh's army and its salvation to IMoses' escap- ing slaves, the falling walls of Jericho, the forty years of wandering because of doubt, the victory of Gideon's band, and other al- most countless illustrations, are known to every Sunday-school scholar. This special providence includes the supply of temporal necessities, victory over enemies, escape from mean conditions and the opening of opportunities. The power of God is pledged to it, even to the performance of that which the world calls miraculous. 5. The leaders. God works through personality. Men look for armies ; God searches fcr a man. The wisdom and pur- pose of Jehovah are seen in nothing more plainly than in the leaders raised up and used. The Bible bristles with telling proofs of this. The Lord wants this enslaved race in Egypt to be a free people in Canaan. How shall it be accomplished? He calls Moses to the performance of the task. The names of .^^braham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, 12 PROVIDENCE IN AMERICA; Joshua, David, Daniel, and others stand for men divinely raised up, national movements begun and carried on by the will of God, and great results accomplished. The Scriptures teach clearly that God raises up men for leaders and fits them for their tasks, that he calls them to the place of responsibility, and that he furnishes to the faithful the wisdom and power needed for success. 6. Providence is clearly seen in the rev- elations given the nations. The Bible has the awe-inspiring scene of the giving of the law at Mt. Sinai. Providence dis- closes itself in the way it was given. Amid thunders and lightnings and thick clouds, with the voice of trumpet, the mountains quaking and smoking, the Lord calls Moses to the top of the mountain and there reveals to him his will, the command- ments of the Lord. The commandments themselves give proof of their authorship. They summon the world to a new life. They call it from the wilderness of idolatry and selfishness up to the heights of an om- nipotent God and a world-wide brotherhood in God. A world that has never been able to realize in its life these requirements could never have given us theoe ideals. None but The scriptures and nationai, life. 13 God can draw the outline of God. The New Testament adds its revelation. It declares, as we have said, that Christ has founded a universal, spiritual kingdom. He is its head. It is to control in time the world's life. Its two laws are the first and second commandments, as interpreted and illustrated by Christ. Kach nation, then, is to be conducted in harmony with these laws. This requires the putting away of vice and lawlessness. It means a perfect industrial, intellectual, social, political, moral, and religious life. The best nation does not appreciate even yet the absolute perfection of this kingdom. Its outline was not drawn by human skill. A perfect king- dom means a perfect founder. A perfect founder is God. These revelations came in the fullness of time. The law was given at the earliest moment when Israel would receive it. Christ came, and his kingdom was set up in the fullness of time. So in all the coun- tries shall God appear, and some new appli- cation of his truth be made known, as men and nations are ready to respond. A king once gave to the officer in command of a warship a number of sealed letters. One 14 PROVIDENCE IN AMERICA. was to be opened when he had reached a certain place. This told him where to sail. There another one could be opened. So point by point the journey was made and the work of the king revealed and carried on. Thus God deals with nations. One by one the seals that contain his will for them are broken, and the breaking of each is conditioned on their fidelity to instruc- tions given before. Why did God thus lead and bless Israel ? For Israel's sake. He wanted to make them strong, prosperous, happy, and right- eous. The L/Ord delights in a holy people. He would make every nation good. He saw in Israel special elements of hope. He revealed himself to them because he would give them unusual opportunities. " And Moses went up unto God, and the Lord called unto him out of the mountain, say- ing. Thus shalt thou say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel; Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles' wings, and brought you unto myself. Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me from among all peoples: THE SCRIPTURES AND NATIONAL EIFE. 1 5 for all the earth is mine: and ye shall be unto me ?, kingdom of priests, and an holy na- tion. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel."^ " Oh that there were such an heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children forever ! ' ' ' ' Ye shall walk in all the way which the lyord your God hath commanded you, that ye may live, and that it may be well with you, and that ye may prolong your days in the land which ye shall pos- sess. ' ' ^ " Hear, O Israel: thel^ordour God is one lyord: and thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be upon thine heart: and thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou i is- est up. And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be for 1 Exodus XIX :3. 2 Deut. V:29-33. l6 PROVIDENCE IN AMERICA. frontlets between thine eyes. And thou shalt write them upon the door posts of thy house, and upon thy gates. And it shall be, when the Lord thy God shall bring thee into the land which he sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give thee; great and goodly cities, which thou buildedst not, and houses full of all good things, which thou filledst not, and cisterns hewn out, which thou hewedst not, vineyards and olive trees, which thou plantedst not, and thou shalt eat and be full; then beware lest thou forget the Lord, which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. ' ' ^ God aimed to make Israel a nation whose God is the Lord. Idolatry is death to na- tional life. It makes men superstitious. It breeds ignorance. It feeds vice. It re- moves the sense of responsibility. It is to all moral, social, educational, political, and religious life what leprosy is to physical life. The worship of the true God is na- tional life. It gives a conscience. It fur- nishes lofty ideals. It is the source of cour- age. It stimulates intelligence. It gives a mission. All this God would do for Israel. iDeut. VI:4-12. THE SCRIPTURES AND NATlONAIv IvlFK. l^ God had also the whole world in view. He was preparing Israel for a broader work than its own salvation and perfection. He wished to reveal himself in perfect love and mercy to the world. His purpose included the soul's redemption and the final perfec- tion of society. Israel's life was not to be a selfish one. In national as in individual existence, life is found by losing life for noble ends. God opens the Red Sea and gives succor and wisdom for the sake of the world. Every new grace added to the world's life was in God's thought when he blessed the Jewish people. God had Christ's coming and work in mind. He w^ould fit this people for that supreme event and task. He blessed them, that later on the angels might sing the news of glad tidings, that the afflicted might have a physician, that the cross should come to the world's rescue and the tomb be robbed of its great terror. Israel was guided that Christ in becoming King of the Jews might also become King of the world. God gives the sunlight not only that the earth may be beautiful and fruitful, but also that man may be fed and delighted. So he shone upon Israel, not only for her life and beauty, but 1 8 PROVIDENCE IN AMERICA. that through her the world should live and be clothed with the beauty of holiness. Nations, if they would be the subjects of God's special care, must meet certain con- ditions. So teach the Scriptures. They must be loyal to God. "Behold, I set before you this day a blessing and a curse; the blessing, if ye shall hearken unto the commandments of the lyord your God, which I command you this day: and the curse, if ye shall not hearken unto the commandments of the lyord your God, but turn aside out of the way which I command you this day, to go after other gods, which ye have not known. And it shall come to pass, when the lyord thy God shall bring thee into the land whither thou goest to possess it, that thou shalt set the blessing upon mount Gerizim, and the curse upon mount Ebal. Are they not beyond Jordan, behind the way of the going down of the sun, in the land of the Canaanites which dwell in the Arabah, over against Gilgal, beside the oaks of Moreh ? For ye are to pass over Jordan to go in to possess the land which the Lord your God giveth you, and ye shall possess it, and dwell therein. And ye shall observe to da THE SCRIPTURES AND NATION AI, IJFE. I9 all the statutes and the judgments which I set before you this day."^ A country's outlook is usually estimated by its mines, the number of its acres, its exports and imports, by the number and ef- ficiency of its schools and by its present moral and social conditions. These are, be- yond measure, determining forces. Still they are secondary. In loyalty to God rests its future. This was the condition implied when God covenanted with Abraham. It was clearly specified when the law was given. Israel's history from its beginning until now is a continued illustration of it. Genesis gives us the record of four oppor- tunities given the race, and the sad failure at each time through its disobedience. The first trial was made in Eden with Adam, and he disobeyed. The second was with Seth. This ended with the flood. Then, with Noah at the head, the Lord gives another opportunity. The confusion of tongues and the scattering of the people close this chap- ter. Finally Abram is called out and sep- arated unto the Lord as a peculiar treasure. For a time his posterity are loyal to God and are successful, then they become self- iDeut. XI:26-32. 20 PROVIDENCE IN AMERICA. reliant and sink into the hopeless slavery of Egypt. Disloyalty is rebellion. Rebellion against God is ruin. This rebellion may be wilful or neglectful. Ruin asks not how, but only requires the fact. This loyalty includes obedience to each new revelation. God makes known his way by steps. Sometimes beyond the step revealed a mountain seems to block the way and a chasm to yawn. Loyalty takes the step and receives God's care. I once visit- ed a mine. The entrance was a horizontal and narrow way running a half mile into the hill. A guide led me, yet in the dark- ness I could not see him. One step could be dimly seen. In my timidity it seemed to me I was about to fall into some unseen pit. Only the voice of the guide could be heard, "Follow me and all will be well." Step by step I obeyed, and when the end was reached and I looked back I could see plainly the way through which I had come. There w^ere pitfalls and protruding rocks, but in obeying the guide I was safe. So was it with Israel. Destruction often seemed to await them. Still God com- manded, ' ' Speak unto the children of Israel that they move forward." When they The scriptures and NATIONAI, like. 21 obeyed, they were kept. When they re- belled, they were punished. At the mo- ment of action it was a matter of faith. At the end of each experience it was a mat- ter of clearest sight. The second condition required of Israel, if it would receive the special care of God, was that it should be free from sinful in- dulgences. The disobedience of Kden was for the sake of indulgence. Achan s covet ousness brought a severe defeat upon all Israel. Saul's desire 'or ^ood and property led him to disobey God's command, and the Lord repented that he had made vSaul king over Israel. David sinned, and David and his people suffered. Whatsoever a nation sow- eth that shall it also leap. Sow the wmd and reap the whirlwind. Indulgence is dis- loyalty to God. At heart it is a traitor. Leprosy appeared on the surface, but was a disease of the blood and meant the death ot the victim, unless God himself became the physician. National worldliness is a dis- ease of the nation's blood. None but the Lord of nations can cure it and turn death into life. The nation that is impure shall die. Purity, like dew to a plant, is a na- tion's nectar of life. Sodom and Gomorraq 22 PROVIDENCE IN AMERICA. are black monuments marking the end of a voluptuous people. The third scriptural condition which a nation must fulfil if it would receive the special care of God is that it engage heart- ily in the work to which he calls it. God's purpose looks forward to fulfilment in a perfect world. The vision of the Revelat:ir as he sees a new heaven and earth is 3'et to be realized upon this earth. Men look at years and storms and wrecks, and cry, ''What shall be the end?" God beholds the eternities, and answers, "A new heaven and a new earth. ' ' The nation that enters heartily into its part of this work has pledged to its protection and victory the power of God. Israel refuses to do its di- vinely appointed tasks, and Israel is over- come by its enemies. Denial of its mission meant Egyptian slavery. Denial of Christ and its w^ork for him brought, as the Scrip- tures v^arned, national destruction and cen- turies, not 3^et ended, of individual heart- ache and shame. What might not Israel have been had she taken up the task im- posed. The refusal of a tree to respond, when the sunshines upon it and says, " Put forth thy leaf and blossom and fruit," is its THE SCRIPTURES AND NATIONAI, IJFK. 2^ own death warrant. A nation refusing the tvork to which God calls it becomes its own executioner. National service for human- ity in the name of God is assured life and divine care. It has all the strength of the cause which it champions. It has the greater strength of a pure heart and an un- selfish purpose, that saw the cause and led it to its support. This is likeness to God. This is God in the hearts of its citizens. This is assured national life. "For who that leans on His right arm Was ever yet forsaken ? What righteous cause can suffer harm If he its part has taken ? Though wild and loud, And dark the cloud, Behind its folds His hand upholds The calm sky of to-morrow." The aim in the following chapters is to re- call such facts of our national position and history as indicate the marked evidences of providential care and purpose in the estab- lishment and development of this nation, and to impress the supreme importance of its present problems and work. To do this exhaustively would require a large volume. 1 desire only to suggest in compact form 24 PROVIDENCE IX AMERICA. those things that in themselves shall en- lighten and inspire the great host of those who are j ust taking up the responsibilities of citizenship. The careful student will find, I am sure, as great proof of divine purpose and aid in America's past and pres- ent as in Israel's marvelous history. God said, I am tired of kings, I suffer them no more ; Up to my ear the morning brings The outrage of the poor. Lo ! I uncover the land Which I hid of old time in the west. As the sculptor uncovers the statue When he has wrought his best. I will have neve^' a noble, No lineage counted great; Fishers and choppers and plowmen Shall constitute a state. And ye shall succor men; 'Tis nobleness to serve; Help them who cannot help again; Beware from right to swerve. — Ralph Waldo Einersoti. II. PROVIDENCE IN ITS DISCOVERY. The child who sees the falHng stars at night, or hears his father tell of the irregu- lar orbit of a comet, maj^ think the universe is run by chance; but the astronomer who has studied the rotation of each heavenly body, the revolution of the planets around the sun, the relation of our solar system to other systems, and the lightning-like flight of all through space, sees a unity and har- mony that bespeak wisdom. The careless reader of history, seeing the ruins of nations and civilizations, might think this world the result of passion and chance; but the student, tracing causes to effects and effects to causes, surveying the movements of each age and the relation of the ages, sees in all the working out of a beneficent purpose, the unity and harmony that indicate om- nipotent wisdom. Paul is declaring this same fact when, in speaking of Christ's coming to the earth, he says, ' ' When the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son to redeem them that were under the law." At the earliest moment, then, when the world was 28 PROVIDENCE IN AMERICA. in such condition that Christ's coming would accomplish its purpose, God sent him forth on his errand of mercy. Each step of civilization forward has been the coming of the Son of God, in the fullness of the time, to redeem the world. The Ref- ormation came at the time when it would accomplish the work so much needed. The work of the Wesleys, and that of William Carey, was each the coming of Christ, in the fullness of the time, to redeem those un- der the law. Whittier evidently had this fact, as well as the swift flight of the centuries, in mind, when he wrote the first lines of his Cen- tennial Ode: "Our fathers' God ! from out whose hand The centuries fall like grains of sand." And the aged Bancroft, sending out the last volume of his history, and summing up the convictions to which his studies had brought him, was led to declare the same purport: "That the path of humanity is still fresh with the dews of morning, that the Redeemer of the nations liveth. ' ' We believe that a careful study of gen- eral history, as well as of the history of this nation, will disclose the same divine pur- PORVIDENCE IN ITS DISCOVREY. 29 pose and human necessity in the discovery of America. In the fullness of the time it came, at that moment when the progress of the world depended upon it. This appears clear when we study the condition of the old world. The tenth century was a time of great depression. Intellectually, Christendom was dead. The people at large were grossly ignorant and superstitious. The few trained in the schools had all intuition and love of the truth destroyed by pedantry and formality. ' ' The massive vengeance of the church hung over them, like a heavy sword sus- pended in the cloudy air. Superstition and stupidity hedged them in on every side, so that sorcery and magic seemed the only means of winning power over nature or in- sight into mysteries surrounding human life. The path from darkness to light was lost; thought was involved in allegory; the study of nature had been perverted into an inept system of grotesque and pious parable- mongering; the pursuit of truth had become a game of worldly dialectics. The other world, with its imagined heaven and hell, haunted the conscience like a nightmare. However sweet this world seemed, however 30 providence; in america. fair the flesh, both world and flesh were theoretically given over to the devil. It was not worth while to master and econo- mize the resources of this earth, to utilize the goods and ameliorate the evils of this life; while every one agreed, in theory at any rate, that the present was but a bad prelude to an infinitely worse or infinitely better future. ' ' ' The moral condition had reached its low- est point. Popes and rulers set the pace of immorality. It was the time when the famous trio of courtesans, Theodora and her daughters Theodora and Marzona, gov- erned for years the pontificate, bestowing it on their lovers or bastard sons. John XII. , who was raised to the papacy in 956, turned the pontifical palace into a vast school of prostitution. He was followed in office by Benedict V., Benedict VI., and Boniface, who murdered his successor. Thus the record reads, until in 1033 Benedict IX., was raised by bribery to the ofiice. So vicious was he that the writers of that day blushed to tell the story of his vices. Gregory VI. purchased the office from him. The monasteries were the places of 1 Encyclopaedia Britannica. PROVIDENCE IN ITS DISCOVERY. 3I all vices. Cattle were stabled in the basil- ica of the monastery of St. Paul. Priests played dice on the altar, and made up the order of worship with indecent songs, filthy jokes, and drunken revelries. These were the beginning of the priestly orgies of a later day in France and other lands. Dr. Storrs closes a review of this terrible cen- tury with these words : " It is certainly not too much to say that no other period has appeared surpassing that in the general gloom and fear of Christendom since the Son of God was crucified on Calvary. The earth again seemed to shiver, as under the cross; the heavens to be veiling themselves in eclipse, like that which of old had shrouded Jerusalem from the sixth hour to the ninth. It looked as if the gospel had failed; as if the church had wholly lost di- vine virtue amid the carnival of lust and blood; as if the wickedness of man had be- come too great to be longer endured; as if the history of the planet were about to be closed, might properly be closed, amid uni- versal dread and death. ' ' ^ I will not draw the picture in greater de- tail. The student can multiply the sicken- 1 Bernard of Clairvaux. Dr. Storrs, p. 66. 32 PROVIDENCE IN AMERICA. ing facts that only intensify the hint that I have given. Education was a hideous dummy; moral- ity an apple decayed at heart and rind; lib- erty's emblem a prison. But the reaction set in. 1 can no more than state the fact in the limits of this chapter. Education re- vived. Reformers arose who attacked the corruptions of church and society. The cru- sades showed a new spirit of life. Men were now restless not for dissipation, but under it. Society was more courageous. Moral forces were more respected. In the evening twilight of the eleventh century the ' * Angelus ' ' and ' * Ave Maria ' ' were chimed forth to call the people to give thanks and to pray. They were really call- ing the world to a new life. These forces in- creased until the Renaissance, the revival of learning, and finally the Reformation, were accomplished. Men learned by the Refor- mation that the soul is free from the tyranny of earthly rulers; that personal faith alone saves; that churches have no power to con- demn; that every man is a priest unto God, and that each person must do his own thinking, make his own decisions, and bear his own responsibility. PROVIDENCE IN ITS DISCOVERY. 33 The newly established state churches, though they v^^ere founded in a protest against the opposites of all these, were not willing to grant these privileges and rights to 'those under their control. The people were restless. Having once fought for lib- erty and won, they were not ready to suffer the same tyranny under another name. The next step in the progress of civiliza- tion must be the founding of a nation, where the principle established by the Ref- ormation shall be realized in laws and prac- tice. Established power was too strong in the countries of the old world to yield. There. must be a new land. Education, liberty, and faith will die without it. Hu- man nature would not have been equal to the struggle had there been no new land. An American writer declares, ' ' The discov- ery of America was necessary to the pres- ervation of human liberty — necessary to the .securing of it." At this moment Columbus by his voyage set the world a-craze. Other daring navi- gators pursued the search. America was at last discovered and opened to the oppressed. The old world countries, for many reasons, would rather rid their lands of these inde- 34 providence; in America. pendent fanatics, if by thus doing they could gain new territory and gold, than to shut them in dungeons. They did both, little realizing that they were hastening on the destruction of their tyranny and open- ing a land that should furnish the world an example of intelHgence and liberty. In the fullness of time it has come; at that mo- ment when it shall redeem them that are under the law of oppression, which is the law of intellectual and spiritual death. The general movement in all lands to- ward exploration is a significant fact. It is thus that great and providential moments come. The revival of learning seemed to begin in all lands at the same general time. The Reformation held its course in England, France, Italy, Bohemia, and Germany in the same general way and to the same sea, though in different national channels, shut out from each other's view by mountain barriers. At this time, when the world must have a new continent, the minds of the daring in all lands were turned toward CNiploration. Spain, Portugal, England, Italy, France, and others, all thought that expeditions must be sent out. I see in this, as I do in all such universal movements, the providence; in its discovery. 35 working out of a purpose that includes all nations, and works for perfect personal and civil righteousness. Greed prompted many, but even the wickedness of men is overruled to work out the world's re- demption and the praise of God. Preceding these explorations, invention brought its necessary gifts. Foremost among these inventions was that of print- ing. The Chinese had practised this art twelve hundred years before. Its discovery in Germany in 1450 seems to have come in- dependently. Coster of Holland one day carved for his amusement some letters up- on a branch. He wrapped it in a piece of paper and fell asleep. It rained, and when he awoke the paper bore the impression of the letters. Gutenberg followed this with the invention of movable types, and in 1455 printed the Bible. The literature of the world was now within the reach of all. Tyrants might destroy the man, but his words would still live. In the next centur}^ came several printed editions of the Bible in England. The intellectual quickening which came through this invention cannot be fully appreciated. Ac myself ; that frustrateth the tokens of the AAIERICA'S FUTUKli ASSUKKD. 217 liars, and maketh diviners mad; that turneth wise men backward, and maketh their knowledge foo:ish; that confirmeth the word of his servant, and performeth the counsel of his messengers ; that saith to Jerusalem, Thou Shalt be inhabited; and to the cities of Judah, Ye shall be built, and I will raise up the decayed places thereof. ' ' God said of Cyrus, and how much more true IS It of those who intelligently respond to God's will, -I have raised him up in righteousness, and I will direct all his ways • he shall build my city, and he shall let go my captives, not for price nor reward, saith the I^ord of hosts. ' ' The scriptures teach that every nation has its peculiar mission. If it is true to that mis- sion its success though long delayed shall come. We have seen in our study the great mission on which this nation is sent I^iberty and the kingdom of God look to it for Its next victories. Having in mind the number of its citizens that recognize Its responsibility and are pledged to its tasks we apply the words of Peter, - But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who 2l8 PROVIDENCR IN AMERICA. hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light." So long as America gives itself to the carrying out of God's purposes so long will the promises given to Israel apply to herself. The presence of the Bible is a significant indication. I need not point out that wherever the Bible is studied by the people there is a growing intelligence, a quickened sense of responsibility, and a new life. When Alfred the Great based his laws and education upon the ten commandments, and when Elizabeth permitted the English scriptures to be given to the people, they builded better than they knew. To know the results read the history of England's wonderful progress. The reformation be- gan as Wyclif, Savonarola, Huss, lyUther, and others pored over the word of God. It was the death of heathenism in the Sand- wich Islands when the scriptures were given to that wild people. If reformations and new nations have come from the placing of the Bible in the hands of a few, what re- sults shall follow the study of the Bible by the vast number in our land to-day. Chil- dren are taught its truths when they can only lisp its words, others are studying the AMERICA'S FUTURE ASSURED. 219 Bible in the Sunday .school, in almost every church there are special classes for Bible study, magazines and papers with long lists of subscribers are scattered broadcast, theological seminaries and training-schools are sending out determined armies of men in whose minds and hearts the word lives, and Bible societies are bringing to the door of every American home the Bible itself. In the springtime a great company of farm- ers go out and sow upon the bare earth a cloud of seed. A child might, say as he saw the bare fields and felt the scorching rays of the sun and knew of the destructive power of insect and worm, that the fields would never be covered with anything except weeds, and the vegetation that had already grown would soon be destroyed. But the farmers keep on sowing. The sun keeps shining. The dews and the rain fall. Summer comes. Fields are green with growing grain. Autumn comes. Barns and granaries are crowded. It has taken time and hard work, but what of that, the farmers are happy. This is seed-time in America. Every- where men are sowing the seedof the word. Some will fall on the stony soil and among 220 PROVIDENCE IN AMERICA. the thorns, but others upon good ground, and will bring forth some thirty, some sixty, and some an hundred fold. It requires hard work and patience to wait, but who doubts that the harvest will come when he realizes that the seed has in it the life of Qo(l_the germ of new civilizations. ' ' For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it sprmg forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: so shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree ; and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree: and it shall be to the Lord for a name, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off . " 6 It has the presence of Christ. It there is any one thing that continually meets the student of American history it is the fact that this has been a Christian na- tion Its foundations were laid by those who followed Christ in what then seemed a foolish undertaking. Early society was AMERICA'S FUTURE ASSURED. 221 shaped by this spirit and around Christian standards. Schools were founded because our forefathers believed in Christ's estimate of manhood. Our ideals of liberty have come from Christian sources. Public senti- ment which led to the overthrow of national evils was developed by Christian men and teachings. Confidence, that led a few col- onists to meet a trained army, rested in the assurance that its cause was just and was the cause of Christ. Teacher and preacher and statesman and general and soldier in the ranks —the company that has given shape to our nation were inspired and em- powered by the Christ of God. It is not really otherwise to-day. The great body of American citizens believe in Christian standards and civilization, and those who shall give permanent shape to its life are the followers of Christ. Our president and other officials take their oath of office upon the scriptures. There is scarcely a rela- tionship in any part of life that does not recognize this fact. For many reavSons, not permanent, a proportion of our population seems indifferent to Christ and the church. Already, however, the tide is turning in the other direction. Men are beginning to real- 222 PROVIDENCE IN AMERICA. ize that Christ is their hope and the church the institution which he uses to carry out his purposes. The church is coming to realize that its work has to do with every part of the life of the individual and the community. Wherever a church does thus realize its mission it is reaching the people and shaping the community's life. Such movements gather force at each advance. A quarter of a century from now the churches will have so entered upon their all-inclusive work that they will be the homes where men love to come, and centers out from which shall go the influences that work for righteousness. Then will this land be Christian not only in its creed, but in its life. Christ founded a kingdom which has to do not only with men's souls and brains, but also with their political, social, industrial, moral, and domestic relation- ships. The hope of this country is seen in the awakening at the present time of the followers of Christ to this great responsi- bility. Religion will not much longer be divorced from practical life. Mere member- ship in a church will open man to derision unless to his profession of belief he adds a life that is spent in its every relationship AMERICA'S FUTURE ASSURED. 223 according to the spirit of Christ. This is our confidence. We are workers together with God. " There is no uncertainty as to the result. The prayers of good men, the schools and the teachers, the churches and the preachers, the forces that make for righteousness, the promises of God for the accomplishment of his purposes among men, the stars in their courses, will bring forth judgment unto truth. There may be op- positions, hindrances, and what are to us discouraging delays, but He who came to bring forth judgment unto truth will not fail, nor be discouraged." He who led our fathers is leading us. Instead of the fathers are the children, not more faithful but with the fathers' vision and loyalty and spirit of self-sacrifice. " But Hfe shall on and upward go ; Th' eternal step of progress beats To that great anthem, calm and slow, Which God repeats. " God works in all things ; all obey His first pi'opulsion from the night. Wake thou and watch — the world is gray With morning light ! " God of our fathers, known of old, Lord of our far flung battle-line, Beneath whose awful hands we hold Dominion over palm and pine — Lord God of hosts, be with us yet, Lest we forget — lest we forge'. ! The tumult and the shouting dies. The captains and the kings depart ; Still stands thine ancient sacrifice. An humble and a contrite heart. Lord God of Hosts, be with us yet, Lest we forget — lest we forget. If, drunk with sight of power, we loose Wild tongues that have not thee in awe, Such boasting as the Gentiles use. Or lesser breeds without the law — Lord God of hosts, be with us yet. Lest we forget — lest we forget. For heathen heart that puts her trust In reeking tube and iron shard — All valiant dust that builds on du::,t, And, guarding, calls not thee to guard— For frantic boast and foolish word, Thy mercy on the people, Lord. —Riidyard Kiplhig. XIII. the english-speaking nations and the world's future. The student of America's history and problems traveling in Great Britain finds his convictions deepening that the two countries have a common cause. If he visits the haunts of Alfred the Great he finds there the beginnings of the political and intellectual life of America as well as of England. As he gazes reverently upon the fire-scared charter he realizes that it is his charter of rights. There is hardly a step taken that does not press home the fact that the two English-speaking nations have a common inheritance, common foes, and a common destiny. They have the same language. It is the universal tongue. The traveler to-day finds it the language of communication. Ten men from as many nations find it the only language that all can use and understand. The common means of communication in business will eventually be this language. This gives to England and America a great common responsibility. Their ideas and ENGIvISH-SPKAKINCi NATIONS. 227 principles will reach all nations in time. They have a common literary inheritance. Shakespeare, Milton, and Tennyson, Long- fellow, lyowell, and Whittier, belong to us all. John Hampden and Wendell Phillips appeal to the English-speaking world. And this literature is marked by the moral pur- pose that gave it birth. Upon the expe- rience of the past it stands and speaks as a prophet to the present. It calls to a large future. It is a messenger of liberty and righteousness. It is an indestructible tie binding the two countries together in mem- ory, in responsibility, and in anticipation. It is one of God's ways of spanning the Atlantic. Some of the qualities ascribed to Amer- ica's leaders belong to the race. The Anglo-Saxon is noted for his energy and daring. He is the great explorer of mod- ern times. He pushes his way from busi- ness and other motives into all new lands. He possesses what some one has named '* practical judgment " that makes his un- dertakings successful. He now controls over one-third of the territory and over one- quarter of the population of the world. In 1700 the English-speaking peoples num- ■228 PROVIDKNCE IN AMERICA. bered about 6,000,000. In 1S97 they will outreach 130,000,000. What the future will be no one can say. England and America hold to the same ideas and principles of liberty. There are differences in political ideas but we are to mention only those that are alike. They have had an overmastering passion for free- dom. Prisons and battle-fields in Britain unite with prisons and battlefields in Amer- ica in testimony of the Anglo-Saxon's love for liberty. Amidst all the false ideas that led to slavery and sometimes to persecution this free spirit has been present that led at last to intelligence and freedom. To-day the great mass of Britain's population hold with America that the authority of govern- ment rests finally in the will of the people, and not in the power of the king, and that each citizen should have his part in deter- mining what the will of the people is. There is, too, 3 community of religious ideas and principles. Both countries are Protestant. As pointed out elsewhere. Protestantism is based upon three principles — living faith in Christ, the authority of the Scriptures as a rule of faith and practice, and a community of believers of which KNGI^ISH-SPKAKING NATIONS. 229 Christ is the individual head, and of which all the members are priests unto God. These principles must be the foundation of all true civilization. I^iberty commences to build here. General intelligence finds its beginnings in the personal responsibility upon which these principles insist. It is no accident that the English-speaking race has loved and stood for liberty. Their religious ideas have been the leading influence in tak- ing from the English crown its former pow- ers and giving them back to the people, and in founding a free nation and freeing a race of slaves in America. Judged from the point of view of the hopes of the world, no stronger ties could bind two peoples to- gether. Here we meet another common responsi- bility. It is not simply a question of Eng- land and America and the interests of their milHons, it is a world problem. Is reli- gious liberty to be at last the inheritance of every man and nation ? Is the almost ab- solute power of czar and emperor to be vested in the people, where God expected it to be? Is a living faith in Christ finally to lead the world ? Is the priesthood of the believer to be appreciated by every be- 23O PROVIDKNCK IN AMERICA* liever? In a word, will the kingdom of God ever fill the earth with its spirit and its power? If so it will be because the princi- ples, religious and political, and the type of Christianity of England and America have come to control it. This responsibility should thrill every patriotic and Christian Briton and American. He should measure his country and his part in its responsibili- ties and sacrifices by the world's needs. It is true in a peculiar sense of the Christian Anglo-Saxon that his " field is the world." But there are common foes which must be met and overthrown if this mission is to be fulfilled. With these great opportunities come, as always, great dangers. I. The danger of war. War between Britain and America would set back the causes of humanity for centuries. I know^ of no other calamity so destructive to the hopes of the world as this would be. When news of the Venezuelan complications was telegraphed abroad, strong men on both sides of the Atlantic wept at the thought of what might come. The non-conformist pulpits of Britain and the evangelical pul- pits of the United States rang out a united protest against the suggestion of war that ENGUSH-SPEAKING NATIONS. 23I aroused the great body of citizens of both nations to appreciate what is at stake. This false spirit of strife is apt to be stirred up in America by politicians and cheap party papers on the eve of an election. In Britain it appears in a lack of appreciation of our spirit and institutions which tests the patience of Americans who have not traveled on the island and found the cordial feeling of the English people for " the people of the states." The way of procedure is plain. Let the pulpit and press of both countries urge the common, world-wide responsibili- ties of the English-speaking peoples. Let the work of instruction go on until both na- tions shall appreciate this responsibility and be willing to bear and forbear. Let public sentiment be such that officials will not dare to enter upon a selfish policy or hastily talk of war when complications arise. The pul- pit and press have the power to bring about an invincible public opinion for peace. In addition to this all disputes must be settled by arbitration. Let the leaders of this land and their great constituency join with Dr. Berry and his constituency in in- sisting that an international board shall be established which shall have the settlement 232 PROVIDENCE IN AMERICA. of all questions between the two countries. Let the agitation go on until political self- ishness shall give w^ay and better judgment shall prevail. The time is past for nations of the same blood, language, literature, of many common political and religious ideas, and who share a responsibility to the world, to shoot each others' citizens and to destro}^ each others' property. 2. The danger of sacerdotalism. The church in its beginning had no official priest- hood. It was a family, a society of free citizens, and, from its relation to God, a kingdom. Dr. Fairbairn, in "The Place of Christ in Modern Theology," puts it clearly: " Its founder never called himself a priest ; stood in radical antagonism to the priesthood of his land and time ; the writer who ap- plies to him the name of high-priest careful- ly avoids this or any similar name to any class of his people, and those who describe his work as a sacrifice never attach any similar idea to any acts of any officials or their instruments of worship. The religion of Christ stood among the ancient faiths as a strange and extraordinary thing — a priest- less religion, without the symbols, sacri- fices, ceremonies, officials hitherto, save by KNGUSH-SPEAKIXG NATIONS. 233 prophetic Hebraism held to be rehgious all in all. ' ' Each believer is a priest unto God in no official sense but in a spiritual rela- tionship. Sacerdotalism is against Christ's teachings and order. If it be true, then the salvation of a soul is not found alone in Christ, but must have the aid of a middle- man before it is effective. It is in its last analysis the substitution of the priest for Christ, of works for faith, and is destructive and dangerous. This is seen in the history of the church. It led to the formality and tyranny and cor- ruption of the church that marked the cen- turies from the fourth to the time of the Reformation. It has blossomed forth into scaffold, prison, rack, and stake. Its legiti- mate fruit is the fiat that the interpretation of the scriptures and the definition of re- ligious duties rests in the power of the few. If universally prevalent to-day it would sweep Protestant countries back to the physical, mental, and moral servitude pre- ceding the Reformation. To-day it is lead- ing a part of the church in England and America into ritualism and formalism and on toward essential Romanism. If sacer- dotalism is true, then Romanism is true and 234 PROVIDENCK IN AMERICA. Protestantism is wrong, and liberty a wicked delusion. It is the duty of those who believe in the great principles of Prot- estantism and the teachings of the scrip- tures, who rejoice in the civil and religious liberty of this age and race, to do their ut- most to check the growth of this dangerous error. The young people in the non-priest- ly churches should be carefully instructed in the teachings of the Scriptures and of history. In the spirit of love and charity, but clearly and strongly, should the pulpit, press, and ho^ne declare the great principles upon which our institutions and civilization rest. In England the non-conformist churches have united in a federation. Their leaders begin to appreciate this menace and are getting their forces in line to oppose it- They will thus hasten the time when church and state will be separate, and this will bear piecious fruit for the religious life of the nation. In America there should be that comit}^ between the churches of this com- mon cause that shall avoid all rivalry and waste of time and means, and shall make most effective the efforts to extend a pure faith and simple methods of worship. 3. The substitution of policy for prin- ENGIvISH-SPEAKING NATIONS. 235 •ciple in international affairs. The world has seen the sad spectacle of slaughter in Armenia, and England, silent from fear of war, when her voice of protest should have thrilled the world and terrified the Turk. It has seen the war of extermination in Cuba, and America as yet trifling with its duty to humanity. ^ It has seen the South African episode, and the House of Com- mons whitewashing the prime movers in the disgraceful affair. If this indicates a new standard of national conduct, the citi- zens of either land may well be anxious for its future. To substitute policy for princi- ple in national life will be as healthful as to substitute in man water for blood. Amer- ica and England have been fed upon differ- ent meat than political offal. They have grown strong among nations because they have shaped their policies by their un- derstanding of the will of God and the needs of humanity. Let every patriot's voice be lifted, as Gladstone lifted his for Armenia, for an international conduct of justice and mercy. Let it be taught, though men sneer or smile in pity, that a nation must I. While this is in press we are having in the difficulties with Spain, a thrilline illustration of the power of self government and the unselfish love for humanity of the American people 236 PROVIDENCE IN AM ERICA, shape its policy by the sermon on the mount and the golden rule, if it would live and fulfil its mission to the world. Those just taking up the duties and privileges of citizenship have this responsibility to meet, and will, I am confident, see this ideal in a measure realized. 4. The danger of sabbath desecration. The contents of "The Sabbath for Man," by Dr. Crafts, should be familiar to every Anglo-Saxon. The sabbath as a day of worship and rest is one of the bulwarks of true civilization. I can only hint at the re- sults that would come from its general des- ecration. The religious life of England and Amer- ica would be destroyed. Lyman Beecher saw the danger and gave vigorous warning: * ' The crisis has come. By the people of this generation, by ourselves probably, the amazing question is to be decided whether the inheritance of our fathers shall be pre- served 01 thrown away ; whether our sab- baths shall be a delight or a loathing ; whether the taverns on that day shall be crowded with drunkards, or the sanctuary of God with humble worshipers." With- out the influence of a worship day- — a time ENGI2, 129 Lincoln ^°7, i [3, 206 Literature, Vicious 130 86 Longfellow Lowell 211 Lundy 213 Luther ^ 37, 218 MacGregor, Dr 238 87, 88 Mayflower Covenant Mill, John Stuart 150 Missions, modern 207 Moody, D wight L 163 Moral Development of a Nation . [50-155 Morris, Robert 109 Mountains and civilization . 52 Oberlin .... Organization of a Church Otis, James . 84 183-186 90, 92 Paul Payne, John Howard Peace, Necessity between Britain and America Penry ..... Philhps Wendell . Physical Features — Providence in Area and position Resources of soil and mines Acquirement of territory Climate and character Mountains, rivers and lakes Pitt Policy Preface Present Perils — Class and sectional spirit Dull national conscience Religious indifference . Decay of family life Social immorality Intemperance Providence in Protestantism Reformation . Renaissance . Revolution — Providence in Rivers and Civilization , Romanism Rhodes on Moral Standards 109, 27 190 230 212 III 40-55 40-45 45-50 50 51-52 52-55 91 234-236 7 118-119 120-125 125-126 126-129 129-130 130-133 133-133 62-65, 228 . 2S. 32 93-95 53 30, 64, 67, 233 122 Sabbath . Sacerdotalism Saloon, Licensing of Savonarola Schaff, Dr. Schurman, President J. G. Scriptures and National Life Providence assured Purpose of such care Conditions to be met Settlement of America, Providence in Races settling America Types of ci\ilization Smith, Rev. Francis Spurgeon Storrs, Dr. R. S. . Strong, Dr. Josiah . Sumner, Charles . 46, 236-239 232-234 125 218 64 115 7-24 7-^3 14-17 18-23 58-70 58-67 67-69 137 175 31 48, 64. 66 99 Tea party Testament, New Tobacco . 92 >3 195 United States— Extent of Isolated Resources Arable land . Mountain systems 40 42-45 45 48-49 52 Wade, Ben Washington Watts, Isaac 99 93, 96, 97, 98, 99, 106, III, 113, 214 Whittier . Wesley, John . Writ of Assistance Wvclif . Young Men and the Church Young People and America's Future ', 72, 203 28, 207 90 218 T65 214 OCT 40 1898