Зображення сторінки
PDF
ePub

with its holy, enhancing presence, the great outward temple of God, from the verdure and flowers around the altar of prayer, to the azure and stars of the dome.

THE

DIVINE AGENCY IN NATURE.

THE DIVINE AGENCY IN NATURE.

THE unceasing agency of the Creator throughout his material works is one of the most prominent doctrines of the Bible. It is early impressed on most readers of the sacred volume, in consequence of its sublimely striking representations of the infinite presence, power, and majesty of the Most High. The prayers and hymns of the sanctuary abound in phraseology of similar import. The hearts of worshipers respond to the language that leads their devotions. But we would ask if this impression of the Divine presence and agency is not, with very many, a vague sentiment rather than a clearly apprehended truth, a profound conviction of the understanding. We infer this to be the fact from the language we often hear respecting nature and its operations. The Laws of Nature is a phrase that falls from almost every tongue. Teachers of philosophy, especially, are in the habit of representing the Creator as having ordained certain permanent laws in the beginning, by which all the

revolutions of the worlds, and all the processes and appearances of matter, take place. They seemingly speak of creation as a mighty machinery, which, once set in motion, continues to go on without any further impulse from the original contriver and mover. The text-books of youth on Natural Science, and a thousand books beside, are fraught with language conveying such an impression. The term, "Laws of Nature," has been personified, indued with a life and a will. Indeed it has almost grown from a mere figure of speech to be an actual person, a very entity, even the Creator's conscious vicegerent, carrying on his works, while he might be away or inactive, almost as if the Omnipresent might be absent, the Omnipotent weary or delighting in rest.

We propose in the following article to show, that the Deity operates directly upon and through the material universe, without the intervention of what philosophers call Laws,-that all the changes of nature proceed from the instantaneous impulses of His almighty will. The subject is one of exceeding importance. It is of the highest practical tendency in respect to faith, filial love, and resignation toward the paternal Creator. And still further, it has a particular bearing on the probability and truth of the Miracles connected with our Religion. In the first place, we must dispose of the often uttered and blindly used term, "Laws of Nature." Whence came it, and what does it mean? The word law, was primarily applied to human conduct.

« НазадПродовжити »