God Rules in the Kingdom of Men.
By L.
About the history of Nebuchadnezzar there is something wonderfully impressive. From the highest of human distinctions sinking out of the level of his race, the extremes meet in his life as in no case on record. As with the great of earth generally, so dazzled had he become with the glory that surrounded him, he saw no higher than the dome of his own greatness, and so failed to acknowledge Him, by whom all rulers are ruled. The language of his heart instead of being "O Lord how manifold are thy works" is expressed when he walked in his palace with stately tread, and exclaimed, "Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honor of my majesty." But there comes a voice from heaven starting fearfully the proud king from his revery. "Oh king Nebuchadnezzar, to thee it is spoken: The kingdom is departed from thee: and they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field: they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and seven times shall pass over thee, until thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomever he will." Severe indeed, are the lessons by which God teacheth an individual or nation, humility; and terribly does he sometimes demonstrate that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men. As a nation, with a feeling akin to Nebuchadnezzar's while surveying Babylon, have we looked upon our Republic, and this feeling would not have been reprehensible perhaps, had it been founded upon justice and mercy. But as great as the institutions of which we boast, are the sins of which we are guilty; and according to these, may we expect that our punishment will be meted out. Had the Chaldean king heeded the counsel of the interpreter of his dreams, "to break off his sins by righteousness, and his iniquities by showing mercy to the poor" the tranquility of his kingdom might have been perserved. And had we remembered, although on the side of the oppressor there might be power, that it was righteousness alone that exalted a nation, the calamities that are befalling us would have been averted. But hardened in sin, we know, is the heart of this great nation; for while "war lifts his helmet to his brow," in our midst, and tumult and confusion prevail throughout the land, when men have "much to fear and little to expect" instead of turning from these things as Pilgrim turned from the city of Destruction and crying, "Life, life, eternal life!" men close their ears that they may not hear the cries of the distressed and dying, and madly rush on, as never before, in the pursuit of perishable wealth. Smitten, but not humbled, we still hear them all around us, speaking haughtily concerning oppression; and pride, at unparalleled expense, still adorns herself, and parades our streets, whilst truth, like an outcast, receives the warmest welcome at the door of the humble. But the day of the Lord is upon us when every knee shall bow and every tongue confess; for "God's hand will find out all," and men shall know if not now that his eye has not slumbered upon their wickedness. Brethren let us, who profess "not to be in darkness," acknowledge the Most High by humbly walking in obedience to all his commandments. That we may be acknowledged of him when he ariseth to shake terribly the earth.