earth in a measure,
and weighed the mountains in scales, and the hills in a balance." Aye,
and more, yet closer still does this providence approach us in our
affairs. "By Him kings reign and princes decree judgment. He bringeth
the princes to nothing; He maketh the judges of the earth as vanity."
Even closer yet, for without His permission a sparrow cannot fall to the
ground; and so intimate is He with us, that He knoweth the number of the
hairs of the head. Now all this kind of Bible instruction is intended to
teach the nearness of God to us, and His interest and intimacy with
nations and nature. Let us not think for a moment that nations can rush
to war and be outside this circle of providence. Let us study to know
God's mind, His plans and purposes with the nations; for rest satisfied
that His plan will finally be accepted by men and nations, and His
purposes will prevail. Kings may plan, diplomatists may diplomatise,
scientists may analyse, theologians may teach and preach their isms, and
politicians may make platforms and construct rings, yet none, nor all
combined, can stay the hand of God. "He doeth according to His will in
the armies of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth." He can
initiate, permit, modify, and destroy. Once we truly recognise the
sovereignty of God over us, conceit will lie dead at the feet of
humility.

The Church at large has but a slender hold upon this great doctrine.
They look upon the great movement of wars and strife, rising and falling
of nations, as looks the country stranger upon a railway engine the first
time, the whirling wheels, the steam and smoke and burnished boiler rivet
his attention so completely, that he sees not the driver in his car. So
men are dazed with the show of pomp of courts and councils, with the
harangues of legislators and march of regiments, that they discern not
the master hand behind that directs all. "Verily, Thou art a God that
hidest Thyself." No, no, friends; English bravery, nor American
ingenuity will not account for all that England has done on the line of
victories, and the marvellous and rapid growth of these United States.
As God said long ago through Moses, so He could say to-day--for heavenly
counsel was given to the children of Israel on entering the Promised
Land, with a design of suppressing their pride and enabling them to form
a correct idea of their success in driving the strong and greater nations
of Canaanites and Phi