Wesley Corpus

5. UNHAPPY, very unhappy for us, we are a kingdom divided against itself; and, without a miracle, fall we must ! What a fall will there then be, when such “distress is upon the land, aud wrath upon the people !” And is this a little thing, brethren? Is it what any of us either desire or promote? God forbid! A kingdom divided against itself is an evil, of all others, the most dreadful; inasmuch as an innumerable train of evils necessarily follow; no inconsiderable part of which are the sword, fire, plunder, and famine. This our forefathers unhappily felt, and to our inexpressible sorrow we may feel. And is this an unlikely thing? Is it altogether impro bable? Surely no ! But that small cloud which arose some few years since, has, to discerning minds, been gathering blackness, and spreading itself well-nigh over the whole land. And is it any marvel if, by and by, it should burst upon us, as it has done upon America? Let him that has wisdom understand this. Then who that has any understanding, any bowels of mercy and compassion, would not do the utmost, that either human or divine prudence can suggest, to prevent it? For who knows, when the sword is once drawn, where it may stop? Who can command it to be put up into its scabbard, and it will obey him? Such power is not in man; it is only in Him Who rides upon the stormy sky, And calms the roaring seas. Again: If the sword should be drawn, upon whom may it light? This we know not. But supposing it should be on yourself, or a beloved wife, an aged parent, a tender child, a dear relative, what recompence can be found for such a loss? What, O ! what would the whole world then be, if it might be gained? Alas! what a poor trifle ! But, suppose you escape with your life, and the lives of those that are near and dear to you, there is yet another dreadful evil to fear, and which has been the case; plunder, lawless plunder, may deprive you of your little all. Now, who can insure another? Who can exempt himself in the time of general distress, from such an evil? Alas ! brethren, “we must let this alone for ever. We are of yesterday, and know nothing” of to-morrow.