April 18 is the hundreth anniversary of the "Big One" -- the earthquake that destroyed San Franciso.

As they did as recently as 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina, some members of the clergy professed to see the earthquake as judgement of a wrathful God on a sinful metropolis. But, even a hundred years ago, there were Christian preachers who took another tack, and employed compassion, humility and common sense in attempting to comprehend the tragic event.

One of these enlightened preachers was the Rev. Dr. Donald Sage Mackay of the Collegiate Church in New York City. In a sermon delivered the Sunday after the earthquake, Dr. Mackay spoke these healing words:

"It is not the function of the Christian pulpit to justify, far less defend, the dealings of the Almighty. The calamity of San Francisco has a profound religous significance, but that significance is not to be discovered by human ingenuity scrutinizing the methods of divine judgement. In itself, in all its appalling horrors, the catastrophe, which in a few hours wiped out the pride and glory of a modern city, staggers the mind. It is an impressive picture of the awful resources of natural law working out in periodic course their appointed destiny. That we cannot explain, but we can give to this calamity a profound religious experience by recognizing in it not an opportunity for vindicating God, but for helping man. God does care for his children, and that love of his is not limited by death. It is for us who believe in that love to mediate its power through the channels of human sympathy and human brotherhood. We make this disaster beautiful in light of our Christian charity."

Amen, Dr. Mackay. Would that other members of your profession were less willing to "vindicate God" when natural disasters strike, and more willing to extend your brand of Christian charity.