The Hillsborough Recorder

From Sturm's Reflections, translated by Wesley.

THE UTILITY OF STORMS.

We should consider the phenomena of nature so, that the wisdom and goodness of our Heavenly Father may be clearly apprehended by our understanding, and make the deepest impression upon our heart; and this should appear to us the more indispensable, because it is so much neglected by a multitude of inattentive, ignorant and ungrateful people. It is true, that God sometimes makes use of natural phenomena to punish the sins of men; but these particular cases do not prove that he does not propose chiefly, and in general, the benefit and welfare of the whole. Universal Nature affords incontestable proofs of this. At present, let us consider a single phenomenon, which is well calculated to convince us of this; and concerning which we have great need to have our ideas rectified.

Are we not, in general, accustomed from our youth to pronounce the words thunder and lightning, with terror? Such is our injustice, that we never think but on those extremely rare cases, in which tempests have been prejudicial to a very small part of the universe, while we shut our eyes against the great advantages which result from them to the whole creation. Alas! we should change our tone, if God, irritated by our murmuring and ingratitude, were to deprive us of the blessings which thunder and lightning produce. It is true, that we are not capable of pointing out all the advantages resulting from them; but the little which we know may suffice to fill our hearts with gratitude toward our great Benefactor.

Let us represent to ourselves an atmosphere loaded with an infinity of noxious and pestilential exhalations, which are still more and more augmented by continual evaporations from terrestrial bodies; so many of which are corrupt and poisonous. This air we must breathe; the preservation or destruction of our being, depends on it. The salubrity or insalubrity of the air, brings life or death. We all know how difficult respiration is in the stifling heats of summer, and what uneasiness and anxiety we then feel. Is it not then a great mercy from God, which merits our utmost gratitude, that a salutary storm comes to purify the air from all that might render it injurious; that it sets fire to the saline and sulphureous particles, and thus prevents their dangerous effects; that it cools the air, and in restoring its elasticity, renders it proper for respiration?

Without such storms, destructive exhalations would be more and more corrupted and multiplied; men and other animals would perish by thousands; and a universal plague would render the earth a general grave yard. Which then is most reasonable--to wish for, or fear storms? To murmur at the slight mischief which they sometimes occasion; or to bless God for the excellent advantages which they procure to the world at large? Add to this, that not only men and animals profit much by the purification of the atmosphere from noxious vapours; but the vegetable kingdom also gets much advantage by it. Experience teaches us, that the rain, which falls in a thunder storm, is more proper than any other for the fertilization of the earth. The saline and sulphureous particles which fill the atmosphere in the time of a thunder storm, are brought down by the drops of rain, and become an excellent nutriment for plants; to say nothing of the innumerable multitude of little worms, seeds, and insects which are precipitated by the rain; and which may, by the assistance of a microscope, be easily discovered in the drops of water.

Reflections of this kind may serve to moderate that excessive fear which we have of thunder; a fear which too plainly proves how little confidence we have in God. Instead of giving way to dreadful and terrific ideas, let us accustom ourselves to meditate on the majestic grandeur of the storm. Instead of conversing about the evils occasioned by lightning, let us speak of the great necessity and utility of thunder storms--Instead of praying to God to avert such, let us rather entreat him to send them from time to time; or else let us leave this entirely to that Supreme Being, who always governs the world with so much wisdom and goodness. As often as we see a storm, let us say, in the fullness of our heart, and with strong confidence--"Lord God Almighty! it is thou who commandest the thunder; and directest the way of the lightning! We are in thy hand; thou alone canst save; thou only canst destroy. At thy command the tempest shall either fertilize or destroy our fields. Thou art great, O Jehovah! and thy power is inexpressible. How can we resist thee; or where can we fly to escape thy pursuing anger? Thou speakest to us by the thunder; but it is to bless, not to curse us. Blessed be thou, O Lord, from eternity to eternity, and let all the people say, Hallelujah! Amen."