All that remains to be said is of a religious nature. Mr. Devereaux, as
representative of the friends of the Road, beautifully alluded to Moses
as a Civil Engineer. So we, in conclusion, go to the word of God for
the lesson of the hour.
Moses went up the mountain and received the patterns of all things
which were to be made; but the Israelites were not permitted to
transgress the bounds set at the base, “lest they die.” Skill in art
and architecture was in those days regarded as an inspiration from
God, as was proved in the case of Bezaleel, who had knowledge of all
inventions.
In our day we have invaded the region of storms, and have thought
to seize the forces which belong to the Almighty; but the result has
been death--death unforseen, unexpected, appalling, heartrending. Men
have found by hard experience that it is dangerous to lay hold of
these grand elements of nature. Until they have become more reverent,
conscientious, God-fearing and unselfish, they are not fit to enter the
dangerous precincts where the Almighty dwells. In some way, even if
knowledge is attained, the sin and selfishness of men will bring the
lightnings and the fire out of the mountain, and men shall surely die.
The great forces of nature have a sacredness about them, and the laws
of the universe an inviolability, which will admit of no wantonness or
careless handling for selfish ends. But until a sense of accountability
to God prevails, the safety of property and of human life cannot be
secured. No coroner’s jury, no legislative committee, no congressional
enactment, will make men realize how sacred are many of these
responsibilities of life. The haste to get rich and the desire to make
men serve the purpose of money-getting, and the control over many to
the enrichment of the few, will destroy the sense of accountability and
blind men, so that they run profanely into the very place where God
has the hidings of his power, but the result is that they do not know
how to handle the lightnings and to control the storms, and they are
appalled at the calamities which their own temerity has brought down.
The people must understand that with all this control over the
elements, the increase of knowledge and power, there is no safety
anywhere except in God. It is sad that this lesson has to be impressed
by many deaths when it is taught by every one. The terrible experiences
of many, concentrate because we will not listen to the hints given
gently to each of us. The storms and hurricanes and great shocks and
calamities and horrid deaths, come because we will not listen to
wisdom; and yet God is not in the storm or in the earthquake, but is in
the still small voice.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account