The Cause and Cure of the Cattle Plague: A Plain Sermon

In this measured 19th‑century sermon, the speaker turns a troubling cattle plague into a broader meditation on the relationship between nature and its Creator. Drawing on Isaiah and everyday observations of frost, lightning and drought, he argues that the laws governing the natural world are not autonomous forces but instruments set in motion by a sovereign God. The preacher challenges listeners to move beyond a vague reverence for “nature” and recognize the divine purpose behind both beneficence and calamity.

Through clear, conversational language he explains why disasters are never random caprice, but purposeful corrections that reveal God’s wisdom and moral governance. By linking the practical concerns of farmers with scriptural insight, the address invites modern ears to reflect on how theological ideas can shed light on real‑world crises. The sermon offers a thoughtful blend of pastoral care, biblical exegesis, and philosophical inquiry, making it a compelling listening experience for anyone interested in the historical dialogue between faith and the natural world.