Providence

s. (provident i a, Latin.) 1. Foresight; timely care; forecast; the act of providing (Sidney). 2. The care of God over created beings; divine superintendence (Raleigh). 3. Prudence; frugality; reasonable and moderate care of expense (Dryden). ProvipDENCE in the second of the above acceptations has been acknowledged by the “majority of men in all ages. Every altar that is erected, every prayer and every sacrifice that is offered up, affords a proof of this belief. fully have men been convinced of the sincerity of each other's faith upon this subject, that in one form, that of an appeal to the Divine Ruler of the world, by the solemnity of an oath, they have introduced it both into the most ordinary and the most important busine of life. This universal conviction of men of all degrees of knowledge, from the most profound philosopher to the rudest barbarian, is probably to be traced to some primeval tradition, never totally effaced from any nation under heaven. The truth itself, however, is susceptible of the most complete proof from principles of science, If the world had a beginning, it may obviously have an end, and can be continued in existence only by the constant energy of that power by which it was at first created. He therefore who acknowledges a creation and denies a providence, involves himself in this palpable contradiction—‘‘ that a system, which of itself had not an original and momentary existence, may yet of itself have a perpetual existence; or that a being which cannot of itself exist for a second of time, may yet, of itself, exist for you sands of years!” Simplicius argues thus for a providence: if God do not look to the affairs of the world, it is either because he cannot, or will not; but the first is absurd, since to govern cannot be difficult, where to create was easy; and the latter is both absurd and blasphemous. The sentiments of Cicero are likewise very precise and pertinent to this purpose: he thinks it impo ible for one who duly considers the innumerable objects of the universe, and their invariable order and beauty, to entertain the least doubt but that there is some efficient cause who presides over and directs the mighty fabric! Nay he lays it down as a fundamental principle of all societies, that there is a divine providence which directs all events, observes the actions of mankind, whether good or bad, discerns the very intentions of the heart, and will certainly make a difference between good men and the wicked.