Page:OptimismBlood.djvu/23

not our purpose to specially deny or coincide with any Scripture. But we think we shall not state amiss the orthodox interpretation of that which is written when we say that thereby the pains, cares, and sorrows of the world find no reason but God's will: He may do what he will with his own: in the sweat of his face, as the result of his sin, is man condemned to labor and to suffer, and for this reason solely. No kindly promise, in plain words of good assurance, is found to warn him that for all he suffers he shall be repaid with interest,—or to admonish him that all evil is for good.

Some speculators upon providence have made logic serve for the assurance of God's love. They have said, It is the office of reason first to acknowledge that Infinite wisdom will choose the best possible of systems; thereafter reason should study to reconcile itself to the system, rather than the system to itself. Perhaps this were a good method, were there not a better. We are slow to admit such tremendous premises. Let man see that the universe is working as he would prefer that it should work, and then man will see himself blessed, and will acknowledge the divine wisdom. He thinks God could make all men continually happy if he would, and therefore he does not find God as benevolent as himself. But if we can find that all things are for the best, not only in the light of divine but of human wisdom, were it not a blessed discovery? Answer, ye polished lines of the famous essays which deprecate the apparent difference in our mortal fortunes! It is not the justice of our ills that troubles us so much,—we are not badly per-