Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1855-11-30
-=.=e=z==.-- From the Petersburg Express
R,shon AtEinson,s sermon Grace Church ON
THANKSGIVING Day.

notice of Bishop Thos Atkinson's excellent sermon,
delivered in this city Thursday last, until TINS
morning, from pressure OF otnef ma''er tCl ~ nos
rarely been our privilege to listen TO any discourse
which was at once so emnently adapted 10 the occa
SION vigorous in thought and elegant IN expression
Though delivered to overfowing congregation IL
was heard throughout with profound attention, and
evidently produced deep impression. For the ben
Eft of those who did not have the good fortune to be
present, we attempt below, with the assistance OF
memory only brief synopsis. We are apprenen
sive, however, that in doing so, we give put an lm
perfect likeness of the orig inal:
After reading his text from the Psalms' " p" nat
shall render unto the Lord for all his benefits to
me 2" the Bishop opened his sermon by expressing
bis qualification that day OF thanksgiving and
prayer had been recommended by the executive OF
Virgina-that it was due both from society and the
State Did he consult his own preference, the MIN
lister of the congregation, who constantly among
them, and who knew their peculiar blessings, would
speak TO them on that occasit n-that he was more
competent to do so than a stranger from another
State. Yet there were certain manifest reasons at
this time for returning thanks to God which would
occur to one much more stranger to them than him
self From the congregation before him, especially,
there was most apparent and sacred obligation at
this time to render 10 God heartfelt thanks for His
blessings.
Gratitude was often due from man 10 man. 1t was
a principle implanted in nature. NO emotion OF
the heart composed more of the essence OF wicked
ness than ingratitude. There was nothing SO pain
full 10 man as TO feel from his friend, from one whom
he had served and loved, acts Of iDgratltude. Well
had the poet said that "the act of thankess child
was serpent's tooth" Nothing was more wound
ing to the feelings of man. When the great roman
Emperor met his death, he battled for life until he
saw the hand of his friend upon him. 1t was when
ingrati,ude, more strong than traitors arms, quite
vanquished him." that
!. In his mantle quite mufang up his face
Great Caesar fell"
&c. ingratitude woundng to our Savior lie
suffered much at the holy table before his passion IN
the garden His spirit was gIieved when he SAID to
his small and chosen band, which he had loved SO
we'll that there was one among them who would be-
tray him and afterwards, when he said, " Judas,
berayest thou the Son of Man with kiss 9 He
was grieved at such reacheIy and base lngratltude
If he were called upon to say from what spot on
the earth want of gratitude to God for His bless
ings, al this time, would be more odous and Tepul-
sive, he would say this city.
That great and abundant thanks were due from the
whole country Within the last year. it had received
the most singular and marked blessings from Cod
blessings conferred upon no other country how
long these would continue, God only knew.
Ours the only country which had enjoyed the
blessing of peace.
Africa was still cursed with the most unhappy
strife without and withn-that murder and plllage
still regned within its borders.
Asia, comprising one. third of the human family,
presented spectacle which was novel to It. Here
lofoe it bad enjoyed at least, the security OF stag
nation. In the Chinese Empire, there were two great
paties in the hostile contention, the result OF which
no man could forete Hindostan was striving
against lis government. Caucasia and Russia were
now the scenes OF bloody warfare. Persia was
trembling for its existence between an upper and
neither rock.
Europe presented a scene of human and suf-
fering which was appalling: Upon one side, was
The most gigantic empire of the earth, as the repre-
sentative of absolutism upon the other, the West
4bo ntoiv Of -
ment. Already had thousands and hundreds of thou
sands fallen in this deadly conflict The small space
around SebastapoI bore witness of the bodies which
had been crushed and mang Ied with the bomb shell
and the bayonet. The Russian noble and the Rus
san serf had persisted alike. The Palace and the
Cottage of England were s.rouded alike. The gill
ded wall of the palace which, a year ago, echoed
with music and the dance, now listened to weeping
and lamentaton.
MANY of these thousands who have fallen, were
hurried into eternity with their hands uplifted to
strike fatal blow. They were often without faith,
hope, and certainly without charity. We must re-
member that each of these had BODY and soul
In the mean time we had enjoyed perfect peace
This generation knew not where national war was
n war that goes to the homes and families of men
True that few years since hundful of over
ran Mexico but that was not war of distress We
knew such war, only by tradition and history
How long such peace would continue an all seeing
God only knew-there were now signs to men who
would not be called SuNerSttlOuS which pointed
internal strife, the disaster of which could not be
conceived by man. We knew not how far we were
from foreign war. Perhaps the bloody page was
about to be turned over; hut far we have been
most wonderfully blessed, and should return our
heartfelt thanks 10 God.
But we have had not only peace. but plenty. Last
summer witnessed drought, almost unequaled in
our country's history 1t continued through the fall,
and even beyond the winter. The very fountains of
water were dry. Nature seemed as if she were
about take from the two stats of life, bread and
water. Never BEFORE except on occasion, was
our country so threatened with famine. But in the
Spring, God in his Providence, sent abundant show
ers and rains We have had plenteous harvest. A
year ago the price of bread was high, because it was
scarce. Now the plice is great, because there is a
foreign demand for it. Then the hi gh price was
alarming it brings wealth. Be grateful to
God for such harvest.
We not only had peace and plenty. but health.
You anticipate here with distressing exceptions.
The border cities just below you have suffered with
pestilence, which is unequaled in the history Of
our country. We must recall the pestilence in Atm
ems, in Florence or in London to find its equal. Be
cause it direful and you, there is
greater reason for your thanking kind Providence
| for protection from such impending danger. Your
friends at distance observed with great anxiety the
name of Petersburg, whenever it appeared in the
newspapers, in connection with that dread pestilence
What result might have ensued flom one case, then
ten and then hundred.
You must thank God for his mercy. This earth is
temple We are its high Priests Gratitude is the
incense which We should offer.
Each one Of you must ask himself, what |
rend er unto the Lord for all his benefits to me-" An
allseeng God searches the nvolutions and thoughts
of your hearts.
Foul MURDER-A friend writing us from Eliza
beth City under the 10th says: This morning be-
tween and o'clock William Charles Esq, in going
to his farm County, (Pasquoank,) was shot dead, al