Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1846-12-24

der the previous typical economy as positive
and spiritual duty and as such permanent and
delightful. 1t was great mistake Of the Jew
that the typical and burthensome economy
which belonged to him was itself substitute
for the homage of the heart and Of the tongue
But even there and then il was the burden OF
prophesy-it was the theme Of inspired min
strelsy--to teach the Israeliles to render unto
God their hearts and their voices--to coDse-
crate their souls and bodies to him. We
know not the end of our being--we know not
the value Of our intelligent and immortal ma
ture, until we know our Creator and our Re
deemer by being consecrated TO him. We
come then into mis- fellowship. We symbol
lze hrs preiectons-we sympathize with his
thoughts and purposes, and we banquet ON his
love, and we have the first fruits OF our eternal
inheritance Of glory. | would remind you
that our personal unworthIness as sinful IN his
sight, qualities the nature of this service and
influences plety in its performance. No man
comparatively man genuinely, who does
not feel something of his unworthiness, offers
to God acceptable thanksgiving. Ii is not, my
dear hearers, merely to know it--who is there
that does not know it2 How often does the
truth flash on that mans conscience whose
heart never entertains 1t }-butltis TO welcome
the feelng-to approve it--and if we cannot
buy costly box of nard and break ii upon the
head Of Jesus, we can bring broken and a
conuite heart and weep at his feet and ask
HIM 10 have mercy upon US, and give HIM the
thanks and the praise that are his due.
In reference TO the occasions which cal for
Thanksgiving this day, can only say of
them that they ale like the years of God, in
Vulnerable. seem 10 be, in that respect, the
al ND mn no mrs
sent, the past and the future Every thing
admonishes Of debt of gratitude. which can
recognise, but which am sure no one of US
and no saint in glory can ever pay. | assert
what do know. It is as sure as any princl
pie inscribed upon the tablets OF revelatlon.-
And will be a part Of the happiness Of Heaven.
SO 10 speak, 10 be drawn under Obligations
that are never TO be cancelled. Who can
| thank God for redemption-ior the gift Of ms
Son-tor that incomprehensbe and ineiiabe
love which enthrones at his right hand, even
with Christ on his throne, poor unworthy,
blood stained, blood boughtslnner} Oh! when
pride, that virus OF the mind, Is utterly eXtln-
guished-when there shall not be one particle
of the accused poison Of the serpent's teeth in
US, we shall love to feel the pressure Of imph-
cit and eternal obligation, aad il will make that
paan-~.,h.st triumphant song Which Gods
grace and Gods glory will enable US TO sus-
tain. | know there are temporal benefits
which men are too selfish not TO recognise and
gratitude TO God-some that are of great value
in themselves and of all that are valuable IN
their relations as ministering to our good and
the glory Of God in our reception OF them and
enjoyment too, II werecelye them with thanks
giving. | would mention heath-clvll Tree
dom-the state Of our country-the plenteous
productions OF the earth--the prosperity OF
commerce--of NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
the arts-the means Of knowledge and IFS gen
eral expansion as connected with the facilities
of education in our land-,he signs of the
times--the hopes Of man, and especially the
signal mercies Of God not unminged with
| fathery chastisement and rebuke IT home or
abroad, as connected with your Pastors late
absence and his present restoration as your
happy servant for Jesus sake, this morning.
Here contrast this land with other lands
| feel il is but duty to remind my country
men oftheir reason for gratitude-ior content
ment and for thanksgiving TO him who has
made this young gigantic nation from its birth
from It's first inception, the nurseling OF his
providence and the prodigy Of his kindness
OH that America may never be recreant---
ungrateful in reference TO his patronage, whom
the fathers OF this nation honored as the King
of the Republic.
But would not wish TO lose myself or you
in generalities Allow me TO say that on one
occasion, especially when beyond my plan or
prospects, could not but contrast that tried and
! Eamished country with the opulance and the
| funess OF this. 1t is probable that there
thousands will starve TO death in spite Of all
the Government are gong 10 do, II they can
do l.. say this that YOU may pray for them.
| That is one reason of four hundred OF them
floating in the same ship with your pastor to
these shores; ii 10 one reason OF the crowded
and increasing emigration which will bring
them, if it is possible to obtain the means, by
hundreds of thousands 10 our shores. Well,
we have comparatively plenty: we have the
means of life aud health, and of every pros.
perity in this nation of nations-this great
country which can be destroyed only by itself
God keep US from that awful national suicide!
"OfIer unto God thanksgiving" II is he that
duckens the seed-that makes il I'LL the ear
that crowns the labors and hopes Of the hus-
bandman-prospers our commerce and gives
us the prospect Of more and more importance
among the nations. For think ii not mpro-
per here to advert TO one relation that America
is assuming in the eyes of Europe. which is
lust the commencement of a series Of develop
menis ofthe same sort which will yet charac.
terize the history Of the civilized globe; and
that is, that very probably the Valley Of the
Mississippi IS to be the storehouse of the world.
The repeal Of the Corn Laws in Eng land is 10
be regarded relgiously. 1t is giving bread to
the multitude; il is dilfusns the productions
of the earth; it is facilitating, on permanent
footing, national intercourse. and have no
doub, that ii is a movement in which God
himself nas rode on the whirlwlnd and diIec-
ted the storm. Ii is not worth while for us 10
be captous and shortslghted 10 this case. We
ought to take large views and understand the
principles Of Providence IIovevershort sight
ed and mercenary-however mean may have
been the motives Of some agents, chief or sub
ordinate; or however philanthropic and mag
unanimous, (and doubtless has been often the
case.) may have been the motives of others.
Gods providence has brought il about Who
but the providence Of God could have induced
such man as the Duke Of Wellington in the
House of Lords to tell the assembled Peers Of
the British realm--"Y on must, my lord, repeal
these laws. The people demand it-provl-
denee requires it. You cannot with safety,
YOU cannot at all deny i'll" II was only an
event Of thousands of others since the Magma
Charta was first signed, and il is only the be-
ginning Of developments accomplishing proph-
ecy--prophecy the most clear, the most lndu-