Elizabeth-Town gazette. [volume] (Elizabeth-Town, N.J.) 1818-1821, 1820-02-01
From the National Recoder.

From the National Recoder.
80 give thanks unto the Lord, far he is good
Psalm evil.
Surrounded by the blessings Of Provi-
dence through the whole course OF our
lives. we too readily forget their value,
and too seldom feel grateful for the good
cess of our heavenly father.
1t is therefore proper and necessary TO
fix upon certain times at which we wall
mediate upon ihe various causes by which
our happiness is promoted. and IN coutem-
plating the mercy of the Almighty, feel
gratitude renewed 10 our hearts.
The ordinary comforts of life are GER
taiply not the less valuable because they
are Of daily occurrence. They form the
essence of our enjoyment, though We ge-
morally forget them to fix our eyes upon
some addition Of our own.
We should look around us and thank the
Most High, for the pare air, the blue sky
the bright stars of the armament, the soil
light of the moon, and the splendor of the
sun. We should be grateful for the change
of seasons, and Of day and night; for the
health that enables US to fulfil the duties
of life, and the quiet sleep that closes our
ewes 10 the hours of darkness: the plenti-
full fruits of the earth aud the crystal
streams that n.urmur around, should call
our attention 10 the hand that blesses us ::
for all the beauties of nature aud comforts
of art; for all the enjoyments that we re-
ceiye from our senses for the gift of rea
son and the power Of improving ii; for the
passions that strengthen US, and for hope
that sweetens the present, while she points
to the future, we should offer our humble
gratitude TO Him whose smile has called
them around us, aud whose hand is ever
over us to bless US:
Wherefore Natures form
So exquisitely fair! her breath perfum'd
With such ethereal sweetnessi whence her voice
Ipform'd at will to raise orto depress
The impassion'd soul and whence the robes Of
light
Which thus invest her with more lovely pomp
Than fancy can described Whence but from
Thee.
O source divine of ever flowing love!
And thy unmeasur'd goodness Not content
With every food of life to nourish man,
By kind illusions of the wondering sense
Thou max st all Nature beauty to bis eye,
Or music to his ear
--to chase the gloom
Of care and make the destin'd road Of life
Delightful to bis feet"
Besides these blessings, which are diff
fused over the whole earth, we have to be
thankful for favors which distinguish us
from other men; for the pure spirit OF
Christianity, which promoting our happi-
ness by correcting the anger and selfish
ness which have been brought into our
minds by perversion of those passions
which were gwen US for good-softens our
hearts, and makes us better qualified to
attain the ends Of creation. And still mar
rowing the circle, we should thank God
for system of government which more
nearly approaches the fulfilmeDt Of the
purposes for which it was erected, than
any other in the world. That We are Of
ali men the most unfettered 10 our words
and actions, while the authority Of the law
protects our persons and property, and
preserves order around us, is blessing
which calls for an expression Of gratitude
not only from every member Of the repub
lie. but from the whole nation in its col
sective capacity.
Let every man survey the bOunties tina
are given for his peculiar happiness; thu
increase Of his riches, the cultivation o
his understanding, aud the improvement
of his heart. All the enjoyments Of SO
.ciety all the confidence Of friendship, a
rise from the goodness Of the Creator.
For all the happiness of conjugal anc
paternai love; for the kind smile OF tn,
wife, whose tenderness sooths all sorrow
and drives all care,--whose disinterestet
affection dwels upon him with perfect re
liance--bis most grateful thanksgiving
should ascend 10 the Heavenly Being wht