in truth, it seems evident that Providence demands our ACKNOWLEDGMENT, our CONFIDENCE, and our SUBMISSION.

PROVIDENCE DEMANDS OUR ACKNOWLEDG

MENT.

We should ever be willing to recognize and acknowledge the hand of Providence in all our concerns. Let us ever keep in mind the care of the Almighty over us, and maintain a deep sense of it from day to day, looking to him for success. Let us in all our ways acknowledge him, and he will direct our steps. We are prone to neglect this. God is ever near to us, and yet we disregard the operation of his hand. He is in every breath we draw, and in every thought we conceive, and yet we frequently forget him. His power is as much displayed in those events which are common, as in those which are more extraordinary. By the latter we are sometimes roused and affected, but of the former we seldom take notice as we ought. Let us endeavour to acquire the habit of acknowledging and recognizing the hand of providence on all occasions, and not ascribe to chance, to fortune, or to fate, either the good or the evil that attends us.

It has been the constant practice of the people of God in all ages, to acknowledge His hand in their affairs, and to preserve the memory of

the providences which have befallen them. Thus Moses wrote a memorial of the victory which was obtained over Amalek, as the fruit and return of prayer, and built an altar, with this inscription, Jehovah Nissi, "The Lord my Banner." Exodus xvii. 14, 15. Thus Mordecai and Esther employed every means to perpetuate the memory of their signal deliverance from the plot of Haman, by ordaining the feast of Purim as an anniversary throughout every generation, every family, every province, and every city, that those days of Purim should not fail from among the Jews, nor the memorial of them perish from their seed. Esther ix. 28. Thus parents gave suitable names to their children, that every time they looked upon them, they might refresh the memory of God's mercies. 1 Sam. i. 20. Thus the very places, where eminent providences have appeared, have been new named with no other design but to perpetuate the memorial of those sweet providences which so refreshed them there; thence Bethel took its name. Gen. xxviii. 19. And the well of water where Hagar was seasonably refreshed by the angel in her distress, Beer-lahai-roi, "the Iwell of him that liveth and looketh on me." Gen. xxi. 14.

PROVIDENCE DEMANDS OUR CONFIDENCE.

We should confide in the care of Providence.

God is intimately present with us every moment, to observe all our thoughts, to know all our wants, and to dispose of all the circumstances of our existence. Whatever occurs he can overrule for our advantage, and grant suitable answers to all our requests. Nothing can be more proper than that we should entreat his favour with our whole heart, seek his guidance, and request his aid for the accomplishment of our laudable designs, and ask him for our daily bread. We should trust in Divine Providence for all we need, with unshaken confidence. practical belief of it should so influence our minds as to render us calm and serene in all conditions. No perplexing fears, no anxious solicitude should dwell in our bosoms; since whatever may happen to us we are under the protection of infinite power, the watchfulness of unbounded wisdom, and the care of sovereign mercy and goodness.

The

What need the man fear who has the care of God extended over him? A being who is able to crush all his adversaries. A being who can divert any misfortune from befalling him, or turn any such misfortune to his advantage. The person who lives with this constant and habitual regard to the great Superintendant of the world, is indeed sure that no real evil can Blessings may appear under

come into his lot.

the shape of pains, losses, and disappointments; but let him have patience, and he will see them in their proper figures. Dangers may threaten him; but he may rest satisfied that they will either not reach him, or that, if they do, they will be the instruments of good to him. In short, he may look upon all crosses and accidents, sufferings and afflictions, as means which are made use of to bring him to happiness.

:

We have a beautiful example of confidence in the care of God, and trust in his providence, in the life of David. The circumstance is referred to in the 2 Sam. xvi. 25, 26. The circumstances of David at the time were severe and trying. His son Absalom had commenced a powerful rebellion; in consequence of which he was compelled with a few faithful followers to leave Jerusalem and pass over the brook Kidron towards the way of the wilderness. "And lo, Zadok also was there, and all the Levites with him, bearing the ark of the covenant of God, and Abiathar went up, until all the people had done passing out of the city." Here he paused: and here we would call upon you to observe him. In such a distressing and perplexing condition, the mind will be driven with the wind, and tossed, unless there be some grand principle to anchor it. And this anchor David had. had confidence in the care of providence. And

He

the king said unto Zadok, carry back the ark of God into the city: if I shall find favour in the eyes of the Lord, he will bring me again, and shew me both it, and his habitation. David here views his defeat or success, his exile or return, as suspended entirely on the will of God. He does not balance probabilities-these things are for me, and those are against me: when I think on these circumstances, I feel hope, but when I dwell on those, I tremble for fear. No; he knows the issue turns upon the pleasure of the Almighty. He bringeth down and he lifteth up. When he giveth peace, then who can make trouble? And when he hideth his face, then who can behold him, whether it be done against a nation, or a man only.

PROVIDENCE ALSO DEMANDS OUR SUBMIS

SION.

us.

We should submit to all the dispensations of providence, and be content with the lot assigned Were the world under the government of necessity or chance, we might justly be disquieted. But the Lord reigneth. Almighty power in union with unerring wisdom, and infinite goodness, will manage all our affairs, and order everything for the best. If poverty and adversity are appointed for us, let us not indulge a repining thought, but submit to them with becoming resignation, as the allotments of providence.