Gold and the goodness of God

Throughout much of the history of the United States, God’s providential control has been seen through His timing of events. Two great examples of God’s timing can be seen in the acquisition of California and Alaska. California was added to America after the war with Mexico as part of the Mexican Cession. When we defeated Mexico in 1848, we gave them 15 million dollars in exchange for the territory that now makes up the Southwest United States. The War with Mexico had been debated greatly. There were many who felt the United States had provoked Mexico into war just to gain more territory. Even though the way we got the land may not have been God’s way, God allowed us to get the land just in time. The way things worked out remind me of the conversation Joseph had with his brothers in Egypt. Joseph told his brothers; “you meant it for evil but God meant it for good” Often God will take a selfish act of man and turn it into something good. We signed the treaty and took possession of California just weeks before Gold was discovered by Sutter’s mill. Soon thousands of prospectors were flocking to California in search of great wealth. Had the Mexican government known about the Gold in California, they probably never would have sold it to us for such a small amount, if at all. The second example of God’s timing was seen in the purchase of Alaska. Secretary William Seward had been approached by the Russian Authorities that they would be willing to sell the Alaskan territory. When Seward presented the possibility to Congress, he was laughed at and ridiculed. The proposed purchase was labeled “Seward’s Folly”,” Seward’s icebox”, and other such names. Seward was able to buy the land, and it turned out to be a pretty good deal. The land itself cost just a few cents and acre. Then in 1890, gold was discovered in Alaska. Once again, it is doubtful as to whether or not Russia would have sold us the land had they known about the gold just a few years earlier. Russia fell to Communism in 1917, can you imagine the danger we would have been in if Russia controlled Alaska at that time in history. Alaska turned out to be rich in furs, fish, and most of all oil. The purchase of Alaska was an example of God’s mercy and kindness to our country.