Portland gazette and Maine advertiser., 1807-11-23
Contmttnirakcr!s.
FoR THE PORTLAND GAZETTE.

4 III ~ONl OF november, inst. DcJng APP
pointed BY the authority Of this Common
wealth, as a day of Public Thanksgiving and
Praise, 1t caEnot be deemed qucrulous, or
incompatible with or duty as citizens, to
enquire how far the Proc lion, now be-
lore tho public, IS calculated To answer the
original design Of this iaudable, pious and
venerable institution. We are told that it
Is in imitation Of the example Of our paoas
ancestors, that we arc requested to Law aside
our ordinary occupations, and present our
selves in the sanctuary with grateful hearts
| 10 the Author s Preserve of our existence,
| and the bestower Ct al our mercies but 30
I ascertain how tar this example had influence
in debating this proclamation, we need on
ly compare the things recommended as sub
Jects of Thanksgiving and praise, with those
recommended in former proclaniations.-
| Though many things are mentioned with
the strictest propriety, and which really
merit our grateful Acknowledgements yet
| the proclamation as an instrument of this ma
ture, discovers objectionable deficiency It
| is aprinciplc of natural as well as a precept
| of revealed religion, that we should confess
our dependence on the invisible " Fathe7 of
! 0hY SPIRITS" and that we should thank and
praise Him for all his benefcence to us, his
! unworthy creatures. We ought, i'm the
language OF the proclamation, to feel thank
tul, that he put it into the hearts of our
I ancestors" TO encourage science, and the
necessary and useful arts Of life that He
enabled them TO repel an invading foe u; and
that He preserves us from oppression, and
affords Us the inestimable privilege Of a mild
and equitable government. Ii is proper and
| commendabie, that we should "express
our gratitude BY munihcence to the poor
| that " to our gratitude we should unite true
and sincere repentance for all our sins, and
that we should " ardently and sincerely" en-
deayor "to discourage intemperance and
! wickedness, and to encourage and promote
piety, virtue, morality & religion" These
things ought to &c done; but there are 9th
| er things of greater Importance, that, on
such An occasion as this, ought not to be
left undone. Even the sages among the
heather who were morally disposed, con-
fsssed all these obligation, and pretended
7 Il. discharge many Of them by frequent fes.
tivais eonseorate6te tbe8 fceifasHs a,iri-s.
\ But it will be asked, does not the procla-
nation recommend ihanktulness, that {" the
place of our habitation" is marked out
where the gospel IS CnIoyed }" / answer,
~ 40 lhCHLAOHGAA3 diQ "a SelIlSn QelSL
might do the same for men of this stamp
have not been wanting, who have confessed
the happy tendency of christianity upon the
morals Of society. But the gospel is not
mentioned a. the way and only way of sal
walton. 1t is not mentioned as a rich, invai-
liable, and distinguishing blessing, without
which all other mercies would only tend to
lead us farther from God, and ultimately
aggrayate our ruin. 1t is not noticed as a
system of grace originating 10 the pure mer-
cy Of our heavenly father, aud worthJ of all
acceptation. And where lie the name Of its
Author and Founder Not surely in this
proclamation The very merits of Re-
deemer as procuring pardon and salvation,
are excluded. Does this look ike an imita-
tion of our pl0us ancestors Let their pub
lie proclamations, and the records Of their
iiv.s, principles and actions, solve the ques-
ton.
With what Impressions, those who minis
ter AZ the Altar Of the Redeemer, and pro-
! TESS To be deTotcd TO his service and 70 the
proa1tion Of his kingdom, will receive and
| read this proclamation, will not take it up
on me to determine but believe they must
| confess that subjects Of |, mary monent are
omitted, and that it discovers derelic,ion
If Principle ever which piety must mourn.
The present is time peculiarly interest
ing TO u c christian world, and nothing
could be more appropriate, than The. great
cXertions which ale making for the spread
Of christianity, and the evident blessing
with which they are attended, should be in
Guided among the recommendations for a
day Of public Thanksgiving. While many
Of the most illustrIous and benevolent char.
| acters OF every Protestant kHSdclJ Of Europe
are sacrificing their time & case and wealth,
and some iorsaking their native home, and
| tgayersing the inhospitable and dreary rea-
gion Of Asia and Africa to make known the
glad tidings of salvation to the yretched,
benghted psrishingl Heather ought not
we who enjoy the gospel to offer at least
our thanksgIvings 10 Almighty Ccd for their
present, ard cur prayers for their future
| success But not the most distant, or OBJ
scure allusion to any Of these things can be
| found in the proclamation. Tie eulogium
/ paved the president is forced, ill-timed,
+ awkward, and inapplicable. Every peasant
who -" ventures abroad beyond the smoke of
| his own chimney" knows that It does not
naturally result from the present situation
OF our country and the late message Of the
| president relative to our foreign affairs, ex.
pressly oontradicts the intended co+npli.
ment. ! do not object to any ones attach
| ment to the present administration / only
lament that men Of talents, should, by an
unreasonable devotedness, and puesiIe SER
| Witty, render themselves contemplate in
view Of a rsfecting community. It's hoped
our Ministers viii be more faithful TO the
cause OF their divine Master, than our ra-
tcrs hive been, or the intentions Of our "pi-
Gus ancestors" viii no more be snsw cred BY
this day OF THAEKse1vINC than b the eel
ebrstions Of the relels Cd Bacchus, or the
Olympic games, NO DEIST.s