“But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and _the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also, and the works that are therein shall be burned up_.” 2 Peter 3:10. 19. How will the curse of the confusion of tongues be brought to an end? “For _then will I turn to the people a pure language_, that they may all call upon the name of the Lord, to serve Him with one consent.” Zeph. 3:9. 20. How thoroughly will the effects of sin be removed? “And God shall _wipe away all tears_ from their eyes; and there shall be _no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away_.” Rev. 21:4. “_And there shall be no more curse_: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it [the holy city]; and His servants shall serve Him.” Rev. 22:3. 21. Will sin and its evil results ever appear again? “What do ye imagine against the Lord? He will make an utter end: _affliction shall not rise up the second time_.” Nahum 1:9. “There shall be _no more death_.” “And there shall be _no more curse_.” Rev. 21:4; 22:3. NOTE.—That sin exists none can deny. Why it was permitted has perplexed many minds. But He who can bring light out of darkness (2 Cor. 4:6), make the wrath of man to praise Him (Ps. 76:10), and turn a curse into a blessing (Deut. 23:5), can bring good out of evil, and turn mistakes and downfalls into stepping-stones to higher ground. Heaven will be happier for the sorrows of earth. “Sorrows remembered sweeten present joy,” says Robert Pollock, in “The Course of Time,” page 29. In the final outcome it will be seen that all things have worked together for good to them that love God. Rom. 8:28. Cowper, despondent and about to drown himself, was carried the wrong way by his driver, and went home to write the inspiring hymn below. ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ God moves in a mysterious way His wonders to perform; He plants His footsteps in the sea And rides upon the storm. Deep in unfathomable mines Of never-failing skill, He treasures up His bright designs, And works His sovereign will. Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take; The clouds ye so much dread Are big with mercy, and shall break In blessings o’er your head. Judge not the Lord by feeble sense, But trust Him for His grace; Behind a frowning providence He hides a smiling face. Blind unbelief is sure to err, And scan His work in vain; God is His own interpreter, And He will make it plain. WILLIAM COWPER. Creation And Redemption [Illustration.] Creative Power. "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works." Eph. 2:10.