Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1852-11-25

This time honored custom OF the
Fathers of New England, we are happy
to see, is being introduced intoAmost Of
the States throughout the Union. Ii is
an appropriate, beautiful, ard an ex-
pressive custom, and we ,rus, it will
always be respected and observed in all
the future Of our country.
We profess to be Christian PEG.
pie, and as such il is becoming TO US,
thus 10 set apart day especially devo-
ted to Thanksgiving and Praise to that
Benefcen, Being, upon whom we are
so dependent. and 10 whom, as people,
we are under such infinite obligations.
Tie has dealt bounlifully with us. He
has bestowed upon us goodly Inherit
nnce; land flowing with milk and hon
ey; broad land, extending from sea TO
sea, and full of great rivers and broad
lakes; a land that brings forth its fruits
in large abundance, of an al most infinite
variety, and all in their due seasons.
gladdening the heart of the husbandman.
and scattering plenty profusely through
out all our borders; land now well fill
ed with Peoples, free, equal, intelligent,
and enterprising; and all indela.icably
seeking. in various ways, their best indi-
vidual good, and all active agents in that
progress and develnpemen,, which char.
aclerizes the age in which we live. He
has given 10 us these institutions and
laws, the most perfect the world ever
saw, under the protection of which, we
enjoy such liberty, security, and happi-
ness, as never before fell 10 The lot OF
any people. .-
1t is. therefore, becoming in US TO OBJ
serve such day; TO observe it as Peo-
pie; 10 cease from our usual avocations,
and attend upon the public worship OF
God. And i, will be beneiicia to us.
while we do SO, TO reflect upon the won
derful dealings of tina, all controlling
Power, who planted our Fathers on
these shores; protected them through all
their privatlons; Caused them TO increase
in numbers and in strength; gave them a
love for freedom, for learning. and for
religion; carried them through the terri
BILE struggle for their Independence; in-
spired them with wisdom TO establish,
upon these broad and deep foundations.
our cherished institutions, and has con
stan,ly led us forward in our career, IN
I'll we have become this great nation oil
t4eniy four millions OF souls, whose
name fills The earth; whose commerce
covers every sea, aud whose future is
gilded with hope and confidence.
Let us, therefore, exercise feelings oil
gratitude towards God, as our Fathers
were wont TO do; remembering wha,
they taught US. by precep. and example,
that while His favor is extended TO us,
we shall prosper; bu. that when His IA
vor Is Withdrawn from US, we shall fall;
sharing the fate of those other Republics
once proud and po,en, as we now are;
but whose Institutions were long since
buried under the rubbish of the past; our
proud temples and the monuments oil
our greatness, though now seemingly SO
endurable, will like theirs, crumble to
| ruins.
Let US then cherish this beautiful feel
ing Of dependence upon and gratitude to-
wards the Supreme Being, as our Faith.
ers cherished it, Ii was their moving
principle, their guiding star. They be.
quealhed it TO us. Together with our
civil aud political, they handed down to
US their religious institutions and observ-
ances; well knowing that while the lat.
Ter were remembered and reyerenced,
the former would be secure. They were
right. When we cease to be religious,
We cease to be free people. N