“While we admit that the providence of God is a great deep, not to be measured by the short line of the human understanding, one truth is certain, that the universe is in his hands, with all its numberless movements, and every event, great or small, is under his control. Can any doctrine be more consoling to a reflecting and pious mind?

Who should have the government of the world if not its Creator? And where can all events be lodged so safely as in the hand of infinite wisdom? Is it not better that God should control the events of the moral universe — reigning throughout heaven, earth, and hell, with an energy which nothing can defeat, than the concerns of such infinite moment, should be left at uncertainties, and neither God nor creatures know what the final issue shall be? Without God on the throne, and a dominion absolute and universal, who could tell, but that ‘final ruin would drive her plowshare o'er creation?’ But while he reigns, ye who love him have nothing to fear. You may be certain that there is no more sin, no more suffering in the world, than what he has wisely permitted and will overrule for his glory, that all the jarring opinions of men, and all the changes which occur in society, will be made to observe the purposes of his government and to advance the holy and happy kingdom of his dear Son. In the language of David you may triumphantly say, ‘The Lord reigneth, let the earth rejoice. Let the multitude of the isles be glad thereof. Clouds and darkness are round about him, righteousness and judgment are the habitation of his throne.’” — James Richards, Practical Illustration of God’s Universal Providence (1834)