"I exhort, therefore, that first of all supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men; for kings, and for all that are in authority (or in eminent places) , that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty" (1 Tim. 2:1). murder of the president speaks to all a solemn reminder from God of our dependence upon His mercy for stable government, instead of the horror and confusion of anarchy. It is a call to prayer, according to the well-known exhortation at the head of this article – a reminder perhaps to most of us of our easy forgetfulness to pray, that is, to consider how we are in need of His mercy every hour, and in all relationships.
Great honor, too, is put upon us in giving us the place of intercessors for all men, and for rulers, and persons in high station. We are thus as God's priests around His tabernacle, with the nations afar off, but cared for of God, who has not forsaken them ; – as Israel in the millennium will be, a nation of priests, when all nations will be blest, and recognize Jerusalem as a center.
Now that evil has reached such a pitch of subtilty and danger to national peace and government as to puzzle the wisdom of legislators, God is giving to His own a special opportunity to approach Him with exercised hearts, and with a spirit of prayer and fasting.
As the priests were to bear on their hearts before God the iniquity of the people, Christians are to act in like manner toward the world,-to consider the world's condition, and cry to God for mercy, knowing His long-suffering and goodness.
As in the seventh chapter of Daniel empires rise out of the sea-Babylon, Persia, Greece, and Rome -so the revived empire of Rome in Rev. 13:rises out of the sea-out of a condition of national confusion. As we see the time approaching (while we know the Church will be kept from " that hour " Rev. 3:10), let us not forget our obligation to the world.
Prayer "for all men," too, will beget a spirit of gentleness, and love, and meekness, in place of coldness and harshness which has so evil an effect if it colors our intercourse with the world, which also would affect the way we present the gospel itself.
"Freely ye have received, freely give."
The world has its lesson to heed in the recent distressing event-the fruit that sin bears, and the vanity of wisdom that ignores God. But it is to the Church God speaks first, that we may realize what a groaning creation we are in, and that we may pray without ceasing, while in everything giving thanks; for our God who is for us is above all, as He was at the cross, and will be in glory forever.
Let us use the occasion to draw near to God, and cry to Him for mercy in a time of great need; especially that all may be overruled for blessing in the gospel, and to arouse the Church. But still let us pray for peace, for good government, and for all men, and for rulers, and all those in places of special influence and authority.
How great is the goodness of God. How sanctifying the view of faith. Instead of taking a human standpoint for or against a certain party, (often with scorn or evil speaking) faith views all from God's presence. The rulers are "God's ministers" to do His will, for the punishment of evil doers and for the praise of them that do well (Rom. 13:).
As violence increases in the world-the offspring of corruption, now as before the flood, may it be ours to cultivate a spirit of meekness and lowliness, and subjection to God and to governments, and to one another in the fear of God. E. S. L.