St. Johnsbury Caledonian

God's Balances.

There is nothing more sure than justice. Injustice may rule for a time; but it was never decreed that even in this world wrong should be stronger than right. As a nation we have learned this fact. For more than two generations our machinists were making shackles for the oppressed. We closed our hearing against the groans borne hither on the south wind. Our churches refused to speak out. Our commerce was obedient to the slave-holders. Our statesmen, with scarce an exception, were on the side of slavery. There were no expounders of the constitution among the blacks; no interpreters of the law; no armies. Said Jefferson: "I tremble for my country when I remember that God is just." He trembles before a great fact. In the lesser events of life dishonesty sometimes seems to have the advantage. The injured sometimes cry out in vain against wrong. Corrupters of society are everywhere. Slanderers keep up their abominable work. Wickedness cries out to heaven for its recompense. But it is written, "I will repay, saith the Lord." The murderer's victim shall be avenged. The seducer and the seduced shall meet in impartial judgment. God takes the part of his children; and his loyal children shall ultimately triumph.

There is comfort here. Wicked men may not be in trouble as the godly are. Even in death their strength may be firm; but this life is not all. God's children are safe, it matters not what man shall do unto them. The great lesson demanded is trust in him "who doeth all things well." All the force of governments shall fail before this great truth. Take courage, then, whatever comes, and let the Psalmist's words become your own, "In the multitude of my thoughts (anxious cares) thy comforts delight my soul." [Selected.]