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[For th3 Armj and Navy Herald.] Divine Providence, No, 1. 1. That there is a Uivine Providence over the world—and over every part of it, is as clear, as that there is one Great Creator of the heavens and the earth. If the world could not be made by chance, it cannot possibly be governed by fortuitous circumstances. If nature lias no self-inherent propelling power, it is no' at ail possible that the laws of nature should govern anything in, and of themselves alone. The •ante nutnortty that says, “In the beginning, Ged created the heavens and the earth de clares that “the Lord reigueth : let the earth re joice.” Also, that not a “sparrow falls to the ground without his knowledge;” audit is im possible to Vive any tolerable account of these, and many such scriptures, without ac knowledging a constant superintending Provi dence. 2. ■With these remarks, we will begin with the control of natural cutisrs. This implies the government of the heavens pud the earth, and all their influences in such a way as to produce whatever he may choose to be done in the natural world. He permits, or hinders the designs of men, b; r winds and weather by life or for ward springs:—sets bounds to their passions and intrigues -overthrows powerful fleets and armies, and thus defeats the wisest counsels of men and arbitrates the differences of princes and the fate of kingdoms with these powerful elapieats of nature. For. if O'-d govern men by nature, tie must control all those influen ces of nature that lead toVuch r.n end. with as much freedom, as fre® agents exercise over themselves. Men do r.ot aha y • ,<Je serve well or ill, and if die kind, or malign influences of nature must be tempered to their deserts, —to y need if, attd ", ird wh :n they deserve it: —those influences must be gui ded by a wi c e hand in at much ns they have no intelligence in themselves. 3. Tims the simplest process of rea'soti tells us that God must govern in the world of nature —that he hasalso invested it with many virtues for wise and holy ends—and that he in ordina ry cases makes use of those virtues: and never works without, nor contrary to nature, when it can answer His wise designs. This causes some persons to resolve all into nature, without' a God to govern it ; whereas, we are not to sep arate what God has joined together, and thu3 recognize his hand in natnre and all its laws. But as God does not usually act without nature, neither does nature work .without a constant governing Providence. While everything acts necessarily according to its laws in the natural world, God can temper, suspend, or quicken those laws so as to direct their influence with out reversing them- God produces fire, wind, rain, thunder and lightning by natural causes, which are followed bv natural effects ; but Tie directs when and where the rains shall fall and the windsTtlow —and in what proportions, times and seasons natural causes shall dispense their influences, God holds in his own hands, subject to tlre dictates of infinite wisdom, justice and goodness. This He usually does without alter*- ing their laws, and in this way repders the nat ural world subservient to the control of the moral. Less than this could not be expected when man is both a physical and moral being. 4. The Bible makes this view of the subject tenable beyond all doubt in those remarkable passages devoted to God’s relation to the natu ral world. “ fanst thou bind the sweet influen ces of the Pleiades, or loese the bands of Orion ? Canst thou bring forth Mazzaroth in his season? * * * Canst thou send the lightnings that they may go, and say unto thee here we are ?” See .lob xxxviii. 31. 3-5. “ Fire ami hail, snow and vapor, and stormy winds fulfill his word.” Ps. cxlviii. 8. “ I will gitte youthe rain of your land ir. his due season, the first rain and the latter rain, that thou mayest gather in thy corn and thy wine, and thine oil.” Deut. xi. 14, 15. And to clear the matter of all suspicion that, these texts referred only to the older dispensa tions, our Saviour says ; “ Hcsendeth rain upon the just, and upon theunjust.” These scriptures must be without meaning, if they do not teach clearly, as do a.i hundred others, the constant control of God over tlie inanimate laws of the universe. 5. As we can give no tolerable account of these and a great number of scriptures without acknowledging the hand of God in the laws of nature, we are solemnly called upon to investi gate those laws by which we are more or less affected every day of our lives. That he exer cises this control over nature for the preserva tion, correction and guidance of his creatures, is as certain as any other Bible doctrine-s and if is highly important for us to know when and where to look for the hand of God in these things. If all our blessings and crosses were originated by natural causes, and wholly dependent upon them, then would onr thanks for natural bles sings be but hypocritical, and our prayers for natural good a solemn mockery before God. THE ARMY & NAVY HERALD. Such a theory precludes the probability of Di vine intervention, and closes the door of prayer. But when we see God's hand in all natural and spiritual causes, (sin excepted) our relation to Him becomes exceedingly endearing and de lightful ; and every Christian grace is called into action that can glorify God or render man happy. (5. Under the guidance of this great, Bible doctrine, we may take an instructive and en couraging review of natural causes that have affected us since the beginning of this war. A few prominent points will serve as beacon lights in such a review. After the dry and fruitless season of 18(50, ihe overwhelming wheat crop of 1881. deserves special ’attention; the first winter of the war before our armies were inur ed to hardships, was very warm." Tint as we be came proud the rains of 18ti2, together with the warm winter, produced almost an entire failure in the wheat crap; the two Last winters have been excessively cold exterminating such ver min and small animals destructive to grain, as would have infested the land. Last year wheu the wheat crop was made, the rains came near mining if ; and the present heavy rains mean something. Let us all be prepared, to say, “ Hallelujah ! the Lord God omnipotent reign eth and bow in submission to TTis will. Tx vat, it). News Summary. VIRGINIA. An officer from Ttiehmond, who reached An gus-'a on the 24-'h insf.. represents Lvnchburg as being strongly fortified, and says it is con sidered saf-'; and that, tlie people-and soldiers at Richmond are confident, and anxious to meet the enemy and that the lines of Lee and Grant confront each other % ear the South Side 11 ail road. The Yankee fore. -son the north side are composed of BlwridanV l ife raiding force and negroes. A battle is tlireateningand no doubt will soon ensue. 'Also that the returned prison ers are in good spirits. Ftve hundred Kentuckians went to Lynch burg, to join General Duke’s command. One hundred an 1 seventy-two officers came during the months of January and February. Dispatches from Petersburg as late as the 24th, represent that ihe enemy is believed to he making preparations to move, but nothing has transpired to indicate in what direction. Great activity has been observed near his lines the last day or two. If was reported that a column was moving out ou the er.Timlem plank road. Otherwise all is quiet. ORGANIZING THE NEGROES. It. is staled in dispatches of the 22d, that sev eral thousand persons assembled on the capitol square this evening to witness the parade of a batalion of troops from Camps Jackson and Winder, including two companies of negroes. The baftallion marched through the principal streets, headed by a brass band. They produ ced quite a sensation, chiefly among the negro population. The interest of the occasion was lessened by the failure of those in authority to uniform and equip the negro snhliSrs. They were armed with muskets, and wont through the manuel as well as could be expected for the short, time they have been drilled. Several regiments are in course of formation in different parts of the State. An order from the Adjutant General publish ed in Richmond on the 25th, relative to the re cruiting of colored troops in the Confederacy, says : That officers will he assigned or appoin ted in each Stale, charged with the enrollment and disposition of all recruits. No slave will bo accepted as ft recruit unless with his owners consent, by a wrilten instrument, confirming as far as he. may, the rights of freed men. The appointment of officers to companies to be form ed of recruits will be made Joy the President. Officers employed in recruiting are enjoined to be provident, considerate, humane and atten tive to whatever concerns the health, comfort and discipline of troops. To the uniform ob servance of kindness and forbearance in the treatment of them, and especially protect them from injustice of oppression. OFFICIAL DISPATCH FROM CBN. LEE. The daily papers of the 30th, contain the fol lowing : Hhadquarters, March* 25—11 20 P. M. Hon. J. C. Breckenridge ; At daylight this morning, Gen. Gordon as saulted and crrrriedtne enemy’s works at Hare’s Hill, capturing several pieces of artillery and eight morters, betweeu five and six hundred prisoners, among them one Brigadier General and a number of officers of lower grades. The lines were swept for a distance of four or five hundred yards, right and left. Two efforts made to recover the captured works were hand somely repulsed hut it was found that enclosed vtorks in the rear, commanding the enemy’s main line could only be taken at great, sacrifice and the troops were withdrawn to their original position. It being impracticable to bring off the captured guns owing to the nature of the * ground, they were disabled and left. Our loss is reported as not being heavy.— Among the ivouu led is Brig. Gen Terry, flesh wound, and Brig. Gen. Phil Cook In arm. All the troops engaged including two Bri gades under P>- ig. G n. Ransom, behaved with most handsome conduct. ; Sharpshooter's of Gordon’s Corps, who head | ed the assault, deserve the highest eommenda | tion. i This afternoon there was skirmishing on the j right, below Picket’s lines, with varied success. At dark the enemy held considerable of the lines farthest in advance of our main works. (Signed-) It, IS. Lem. A LABAMA. The Columbus Sun says official advices were received in Columbus yesterday that all was quiet in Montgomery. No fears entertained of the raid visiting the city. The conductor on yesterday’s train says the Sun, reports that the raiders had gone back from Evergreen toward Milton, Fla. They did not come nearer than five miles of Greenville. They burned the court-house in Sparta. Conecuh county. NORTH CAROLINA. Late advices from North Carolina represent that in Johnston's attack on Sherman, on Sun | day, the 19th iust., he killed, wounded and | captured 0.000 Yankees, while our loss was not tftore than 500. The contest, was renewed on Monday, and was progressing at 4 P. H. Our troops behaved with conspicuous gallant ry. the Raleigh Confederate says: Sherman’s whole army was entrenched on the morning of the 20th, and we did not attack, but, held i our position and brought oil all our wounded There was heavy skirmishing on the 20ih j and 21st, ami several partial attacks by the 1 enemy were handsomely repulsed, j The troops all behaved admirably, and the, j army of Tennessee has fu.ly disproved the , -landers that have been circulated against it. Ou the evening and night of the 21st, the enemy moved towards Goldsboro’. NORTHERN NEWS. A dispatch to the Tribune from Gen. Howard, •Wcl i.'nv rt t.i-vlVIe, lOtli, mivu ir} there and well, and although many of the men are in need of shoos and clothing, tho army never was in better condition. The draft was not resumed in New York on Saturday. The Herald says there was intense Excite ment at the Gold Room and Stock Exchange on Tuesday. Gold closed at. 157. The violent fluctuations of gold portend a general crash among the mercantile public. The approaching storm has been heralded by several failures. Government stocks had submitted to a fur ther heaver decline. President and Mrs. Lincoln visited General Grant on Thursday. Gold closed on the 23d at 150.]. Northern journals declare that Andy John son was immured in the asylum for the insane near Silver Springs. Preston King and Blair arc managing the affair. They look on his accession to the second position in the Executive Administration of the National A flairs as disgraceful, and an insult to the people. A competent medical board, which has exam ined him, pronounces him laboring under aberration of mind and insanity, caused by beastly intoxication, and requiring confine ment. The 4th Corps, under Stanley, is re ported on the way to Knoxville, to join in the Western Virginia campaign. Its strength is estimated at from 15,000 to 18,000. A cavalry force of 6,000, under Stoneman, has left Knoxville, and is moving towards West ern Virginia. Fifteen thousand cavalry and mounted in fantry left East-port, Miss., a few days ago, on a gigantic raid, with,Mobile as its ultimate objective point. DALTON EVACUATED. A dispatch from Augusta, dated the 27th, says the Yankees destroyed and evacuated i Dalton several days ago. About 1,000 of Wof j ford's cavalry moVed eighteen miles above on i a tour of observation. Wofford was operating ! with 6,000 troops. ) CONFEDERATE TRIVATEER. ! Trivate inlelligence received in Now York ! from Nassau, reports a rebel pirate, named ■ Confederate States, lying off the harbor on the 15th inst., having been refused admittance by the authorities. She is 800 tons burthen, bark rigged, has two funnels and two propellers. >•<——— Memory too Retentive of Evil.— Our mem ; ories, as corrupted by the fall, are like those ; ponds where the frogs live, but the fish die. 1 Cripplegate Lectures. From the Memphis Appeal. Linos to art Absent Husband. BY MBS. N. n. RET. We miss thee when the coming he lows deepen, And the moon beam beautiful and bright; ' When dr ps of lew upon the cool earth gather And star-rays r.u ter r-.iitn ; the :i ; v night. We mises thy Too' steps near tin ' ■ r ’d iottage The pleasant smile when lit:b, on< - r'ice greet, The shout of joy and artless 1- ! ppv prattle, So sure to give a welcome when you meet. Wo stray, a" over wont, -flown the footpath; l hold the children * temb-r hands in mine, While sorrow, Oh, so deep ! upon us settles : 1 cannot j ieid their hand from mine to thine. Their young henvtsknow how huib.ed and silent, Continued wishful watc ing makes them still, They raise their t earful eyes to mine and whisper "Will papa come'.’ Do you think he ever will ?” Ten, sadly ! sadly ! when the morning breeze Comes softly sifting through the. verdant trees Wo more amid the flowers we stray so early, Wor list tie thrilling notes the songster breathes. On the tented field now thou art watching The foe his legions marsh'ling for the light; Or, perchance, asleep and sweetly dreaming Os home; but dreams will flee with ruddy light. Ah ! we miss thee, and a weary languor Trembles in the heart and dims the eye. While on my Ups a prayer forever lingers That God would shield thee a- th years flit. l>y » Consistency is a Jewel. In view of what trivial causes do members of our Churches often stay away fr -m the house of God !_ If they are only suffering a little fa tigue orwodily '.ndi position, or if the weather is slightly inclement, or if the distance to (lie plane of worship is such as to require some ex ertion on their part in order to get there, how readily do they endeavor to quite their conscien ces, irt neglecting one of the most sacred ap poiiituKints of Heaven ! That professed Chris tian is too Yin well to worship God with his pop ple; but lie would not bo too unwell, if if were any oilier day of the week, to perform his cus tomary labour. The Sabbath is a stormy one; but you will see him on other days far more in clement driving from otie part of the town to the other. Tho distance is considerable; but propose to him on Saturday or Monday some plan that promises to advance his temporal in terest., and distance, like the state of the weath er, will at once be forgotten. Aro these men really serious in their profession? Do they manifest, the holy sinceri v, the pious zeal, that distinguished tho saints in primitive titnes? Can they be said to worship the Lord in truth, who plead such reasons for neglecting his wor ship as they would not, urge in connection even with their secular affairs? Speak, Consisten cy; speak, (' mseienejj; speak, Oracles of God! I would be fur from intimating that circumstan ces may not be such ns to render a person jus tifiable in being’ absent from public w orship on the Lord’s day. If an individual is confined to his room by a broken limb, or to his bed by a fever, it. it manifestly not his duty to go out; and the same is of course true if he is so seri ously indisposed that he would be in danger es increasing or prolonging his distemper. It is evident, also, that drenching rains in summer, and drifting snows in winter, may sometimes render it hazardous for persons in health, espe cially females. to leave their homes on the Sab bath. Wisdom is profitable to direct ; and it ivas never intended that one duty should inter fere with another. The Sabbath was made for man; and the service of God is in all respects a “reasonable service.” Still, it is not every slight complaint, it is not every threatning cloud or fog, nor even every considerable fall of rain or snow, that can excuse us from waiting upon God in his house. If we would, without hesita tion, expose ourselves as much on a week-day, and for the worldly purpose, the excuse is vain. O that men would be honest on points in regard to which, although thej- may indeed deceive themselves, they never can deceive their Maker! If they had that longing for the courts of flic Lord of which we read in the Scriptures, they would not be detained at home by trifles ; they would loose sight of not a few supposed difficul ties, and overcome even many real ones, in or der to be present, at the sanctuary. General Quitman is reported to have said a good thing on the morning of the battle of Monterey. He was observed to go to the field in fifll uniform. A friend remonstrated with him, urging that he would make himself a very conspicuous mark for the enemy. The pages of ancient and modern history are challenged to produce a more heroic reply than he made : “ Tho more balls aimed at me, the less will be directed at my men.” _ Inferior Minds: —There are •minds, as well as lands, of so harsh and crabbed a disposition that little can he made ofihem —Bishop Horne. 3