Our Public Affairs by Uriah Smith

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Aug 12, 1862

Our Public Affairs.

By Uriah Smith

The struggle in which this nation is engaged is evidently under the control of a higher power than that of man; else why is it that with all the vast outlay of men and means that has been made, no more has been accomplished? So evident is the restraining power upon our armies that some have already felt constrained to ask whether the Lord was for or against us. Read the following from the American Missionary:

“Many of the acts of the President and Congress have caused joy throughout the free States, still the state of the country fills all loyal hearts with unwonted solicitude. Notwithstanding we have a President whose aimable qualities, honest intentions, and remarkable prudence have gained for him general confidence, although the Cabinet is composed of able, industrious, and experienced men, although we have an immense army, loyal, brave, and well equipped, commanded mainly by skillful Generals, although our navy is unmatched in armament and courageous commanders, although the wealth of the country is poured out like water to supply the necessities of government, and although the people are patriotic and united, still we do not make headway in quelling the rebellion. The rebels, with inferior numbers and resources, exceed us in union, in determination, in the use of means, in esprit de corps.

“Why is it thus? This is a natural inquiry. The people are agitating it. The providences of God are forcing it upon their attention. It must find a solution. Is the great Ruler and Governor for or against us? ‘If God be for us, who can be against us?’ If he be against us, in vain do we marshal armies and navies, employ intrepid and valorous officers, and summon all the material and moral forces of the free States to contend with the conspirators against our government. If he be against us, we shall not succeed, and the enemy will triumph in spite of all we can do with our troops, our wealth, our superiority in numbers, and our conviction that we are engaged in a just and righteous cause.”

If this nation is now receiving a just chastisement on account of the sin of slavery, which is very generally conceded, then it follows that God could not consistently give success to any policy which did not regard with just abhorrence that accursed system. Such has not been the policy of the administration up to the present time; it is but partially so now. Through its own seeming obstinacy the nation is learning its present lesson in justice at a fearful cost. The only consideration that can keep a person calm amid our national reverses and the excitement of the hour, is that He who sitteth in the Heavens, and before whom the nations are but as the small dust of the balance, has this matter in his own hands, and will conduct it according to the unerring counsel of his will. U. S.