OUR LEGACY FROM THE PAST - NCCUMC

36
We wish it terminated. To prevent it our patriotic statesmen
labored with commendable zeal. To arrest its mad progress
before it reaches its culminating fury our nation is now at prayer
before God. The wisdom of our wise men fails, all their resources
have been exhausted and still the war spirit is rampant; he is
fulminating his thunders on all our borders.
TO GOD WE TURN, may He help us!
II. What is implied in setting up our banners in the name of
God? It implies,
1. That we recognize the supremacy or sovereignty of God.
That God exercises a superintending Providence over the affairs
of mankind, the Bible abundantly proves. In fact, the entire
universe commands his watchful care, even the sparrow is not
suffered to fall to the ground unnoticed by His eye and He who
spake as never man spake, said, "Ye are of more value than many
sparrows, But the very hairs of your head are numbered." In
theory, it has been our glory to recognize the supremacy of
Almighty God from our earliest national existence. Upon his
knees before God, Columbus took charge of America in His name.
We acknowledge His supremacy in all our official acts from the
lowest officer attending upon the court, to the highest judicial,
legislative or executive officer in the land, this declaration of faith
is made. There is no exemption. Then we recognize His right to
control events and consent to yield to His disposition of them.
2. It implies that we appeal to Him for the justice of our
cause. Whatever may be the character of our acts in regard to
other matters than the cause of our present troubles, I have
nothing to do at present, but to turn the attention to that subject
entirely and learn its character. Promising in the meantime the
truth of HAB. 1:13, speaking of God he said, "Thou art of purer
eyes than to behold evil and canst not look upon iniquity."
Therefore in our appeal to God, we appeal to Him as a just and
righteous God, who will accept the person of no man, and a God
that "hates all workers of iniquity."
Whatever, in political circles, either North or South, may be
regarded as the remote or proximate cause of this war, it matters