THE HAND OF
PROVIDENCE,

AS SHOWN IN THE
HISTORY OF
NATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS,

From the Great Apostasy to the Restoration of the Gospel.

PREFACE.

Don't throw this book down carelessly. It will do you no harm. It assumes no dictation. It may benefit you if you will read it carefully.

"We have plenty of histories."

True. But most are too large to be of practical value to the sons and daughters of toil. Many are written in the interest of some party or sect, and in order to gain favor, they flatter the vanity of men.

"But they tell of wonderful deeds, and thrilling adventures."

Very true. Some of them are mostly composed of recitals of legalized slaughter, and praise of tyrants who have climbed to power over the mangled bodies of their fellow-men, and whose names will not live in one grateful memory; while the real benefactors of the race, the unfolding of new and higher truths and, above all, the over-ruling hand of God are unnoticed, or, at most, barely mentioned.

"Does God rule the world?"

Yes, verily. The greatest actors on the theatre of the world are only instruments in the hand of God, for the execution of His purposes.

"Where have you obtained the facts contained in this volume?"

From many authentic works, some of them not easily accessible to most readers.

"This will be a good book for the young, and all those who have not the opportunity to consult larger works, will it not?"

With this idea it has been written and to this end I dedicate it to my children as heirs in the kingdom of God, to the youth of Zion and to my earnest friends everywhere.

THE AUTHOR.

Salt Lake City,

March 16th, 1883.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.

Injustice of Roman Governors—Nero Emperor—Vespasian and Titus Sent to Judea—Fortifications of Jerusalem—Titus Offers Terms of Peace—Horrors of the Siege—Women Devour their own Children—Temple Burned—City Destroyed—Dispersion of the Jews—Universal Apostasy—Priesthood no More—Ideas of God Perverted—Worship Corrupted with Heathen Rites—Persecution of Christians—Emperor Constantine—Rise of Monastic Order.

CHAPTER II.

Description of Arabia—Arabian Customs—Birth of Mahomet—Early Life—Journey to Syria—Christian Sects—Doctrines Taught by Mahomet—His Marriage—Proclaims Himself a Prophet—Persecution—Flees to Medina—Becomes Powerful—Sickness and Death—Personal Appearance.

CHAPTER III.

Causes of Triumphs—Abou-Beker Elected Caliph—War Declared—Fall of Bozrah—Battle of Aiznadin—Siege of Jerusalem—Departure of Roman Emperor—Saracen Fleet—Eastern Conquests—Fall of Alexandria—Conquest of Northern Africa—Conquest of Spain—Battle of Poictiers—Extent of Saracen Empire.

CHAPTER IV.

Intellectual Stagnation—Saracens and Jews Revive Learning—University of Bagdad—Public Schools—Medical College of Cairo—Circulating Library—Modern Form of Books—Arabic Notation—Discoveries in Chemistry—Rotundity of the Earth—Mariner's Compass—Discoveries of Alhazin—Astronomical Observatories—Golden Age of Judaism—Cities of Andalusia—Saracen Dwellings—Condition of Women—Female Physicians.

CHAPTER V.

Jerusalem the Sacred City—Alexandria Noted for Philosophy—School of Hypatia—Mob Murders Her—Doctrines of Cyril—Jerusalem a Scene of Suffering—Fulfillment of Prophecy—Herculaneum and Pompeii—Their Destruction—Evidences of their Wickedness—Excavations—Roman Rule—Removal of Capital—Crimes of Constantine—Commencement of Greek Empire—Description of Constantinople—Its Capture by Crusaders—Taken by the Turks—Intellectual Degradation—Priestcraft—Debauchery—Turkish Rule.

CHAPTER VI.

Growth of Relic-Worship—Schemes of the Roman Pontiffs—Manufacture of Relics—Their Great Variety—Value of Relics—Insults Offered to Pilgrims—Peter the Hermit—Crusades—Disorderly Rabble—Terrible Suffering—Capture of Jerusalem—Terrible Massacre—Capture of Constantinople—Crusades of the Children—Results of the Crusades—Revival of Learning.

CHAPTER VII.

The Morning Dawns—Rise of Knighthood—Principles of Knights—Apostate Priests Held in Contempt—Waldenses—Persecutions in Southern France—Rise of the Inquisition—Liberal Policy of Frederick—"Everlasting Gospel"—Its Remarkable Teachings—Bacon's Discoveries—Geographical Knowledge—Azores and Canary Islands—Travels of Marco Polo—Condition of European States—Modern States.

CHAPTER VIII.

Lesson from Heathen Mythology—Vicissitudes of Roman Church—Boniface Pope—Advancement in Civilization—Work of the Roman Church—Invention of Printing—Gutenberg—Bible First Printed—Columbus—His Wonderful Dream—His Great Voyage—Discovery of America—Trials and Triumphs.

CHAPTER IX.

History in Words—British Coat of Arms—The Ten Tribes—Account of Esdras—Dispersion of the Tribes—Mixed Seed of Israel—Effect on European Society—Jewish Influence—Discovery of Cape of Good Hope—Pacific Ocean Discovered—Magellan's Voyage—Discovers Cape Horn—Distance Sailed—Death of Magellan—Voyage Completed—Its Effect on the Public—Huss and Jerome Burned—John Ziska—Persecutions of Waldenses—Capture of Mentz—Dispersion of Printers—Hans Boheim—Joss Fritz—Sale of Indulgences—Martin Luther Burns the Pope's Letter—Grand Council at Worms—Rome in a Rage—Luther Kidnapped.

CHAPTER X.

Germany Aroused—Peasants' War—Muntzer's Proclamation—Emperor Quarrels With the Pope—Results in Other Countries—Growth in Modern Languages—Luther's Crowning Work—Power of Superstition—Witchcraft—Reformers not Inspired—Extracts from Mosheim—Battle-Ax of God—Copernicus—Galileo—Newton—Death of Bruno—Change in Commercial