The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1855-12-29

of the neighborhood. Every settlement i
strengthened, every town is enlarged, ever,
institution receives new announcement. ey
cry acre Of land rises in value, happiness i
increased and people are better contented i,
their new homes. Is there not in all this
matter of thankfulness2 If, during the mas
year the whole tide of emigration had set i,
some other direction, and we had received n,
material accession but now and then famil,
deserving US, how differently we should hay,
/ felt from what we do, we would have beer
discouraged for the future, and perhaps med
itated painful remove from o country ir
which we had been disappointed. We should
return thanks to God for the health which
he has given US during the past year. A
heavy emigration is always attended by
much that is calculated to sadden the heart
A change of climate and irregular and un
wonted modes of life, together with poverty
and imprudent removals, all tend to throw
together in point like this where we dwell
much of sickness sorrow and sudden death
Even here in a healthy country we may see
SO much Of suffering as to lead us wholly to
misjddge Of the health of the climate. Some
of the first boats that arrived at our landing
last spring, crowded with immigrants cast .
gloom over our community, when we learned
that the dreaded cholera was doing its work
of death among the strangers. We feared
for the result as we thought of the long
summer months yet to come. But God in
his great mercy pitied the poor stranger and
turned aside the plague, and notwithstand-
ing those circumstances SO calculated to pro-
duce sickness and death, the season has been
one of remarkable health and although we
have been often called to go to the grave,
and have witnessed much bereavement and
sorrow, yet much less than was to have been
expected. Many of those who came with
fear and trembling through crowded scenes
of sickness and death, are now comfortably
settled in their new homes, and to day unite
with us in giving thanks to God for the
safety they enjoy.
The wall of sorrow has come up from the
south, where cities have been swept by
the pestilence. In the city of Norfolk death
relgned supreme, and before his awful majes-
ty the wheels of business stood stll-the
babbling press stood still; families affrighted
fed for their lives. The physicians car
riage and the death cart were the only vehi-
cles that hastehed through the streets; all
night long the dim lamps of the watchers
were seen from hundreds of windows 1t
was smitten city, whose very atmosphere
was charged with death. What reason have
we for thankfulness to God when we con-
trast our general health with such a scene of
suffering!
While the very fruitfulness of the season,
has caused the sickening vapor to exhale
from the luxuriant soil of other of the west
ern States, and thousands of their inhabi-
tants have been shaking with ague, or burn
ing with fever, the climate which we inhabit
is merctully free from this af11iction.
We have prospered too, politically. Our
people for the most part have been law-abi-
ding; no oppressive acts have aroused the
Indignation Of the masses. Our elections
despite of political intrigue and corruption
in spite of infamatory speeches intended tc
arouse one party against another, and to ex.
cite. Romanists against Protestants, by the
empty cry of Know Nothing, persecution
of foreigners, and the burning of churches
have passed off quietly, and the people have
shown dignified confidence and Cheerful
acquiescence in the will of the majority.
While sister territory has been disgraced
by acts of violence and persecution; while
men have beeti driven from their homes fol
daring to assert their own opinions, and Dor.
der ruffians have united to trample upon the
rights of an infant of the republic. neglected
by its mother, we have had peace and quiet
| throughout our borders.
We have this day much for which to thank
God. Not the least among our blessings
are the religious privileges which our people
enjoy. The gospel is preached in most O
our settlements in it's purity, and although
most of our people are fastening to be rich
and wholly careless about the interests o.
the kingdom of Christ, yet there are among
us many men and women who fear and love
the foundation of Christ's kingdom in this
Territory.
1t is fitting, as we take this note of time
that we should call to mind also the Affections
through which we have been called to pass
Have we no reason to thank God for the
Christening influence upon our souls, wrought
by dealings with us Some tender cords that
were rapidly strengthening our attachments
to the present life have been suddenly broken
and We have already felt them drawing us
upwardsto our final resting place. This day
reminds us that another year is gone, with
it's account to meet us at the bar of God.-
Our life flies apace, and our grasp upon earth
loosens yearly.
| &c The spiders most attenuated thread,
| Is cord is cable to mans tender
Tie on earthly bliss--it breaks at every breeze.
That solar shadow as it measures nfe---
| 1t life resembles too; life speeds away
From point point though seeming to stand still,
| The cunning fugitive is swift by stealth,
| Too subtle is the movement to be seen,
| Yet soon mans hour is up and we are gone.
SC How delicate Is the golden thread OF Efe,
| How slightly broken! oft the whispering wind
| That murmers by mans mourning path Goth sing
| mournfu dirge above his midnight grave."
| D,i& 1r& oh
unite to hasten our preparation for world
of eternal thanksgiving and jubilee. The
storm, the tightening, and the thunder that
rocks the earth drives the traveller to shell
ter.
Methinks you would know how vistatons OF calam.
Affect the pious soul, 1t Is shown you there.
Look yonder at that cloud which through the sky
| Sailing along, doth cross in her course
The rolling moon IL watched her as 1t came
| And deemed the deep opaque would blot her beam,
| But melting like o wreath Of snow
| 1t hangs in folds of wavy silver round,
clothes the orb in richer beauties than her own
Then passing, leaves her in her light serene."
While we return Thanksgiving to God, let
us do it with full sense, that there are high
er interests than those of earth. Let us la
Dor to attain these. Then shall we be pre-
pared to Join that multitude who shall thank
in everlasting songs, the King of Kings who
has proclaimed great day of Thanksgiving
Angels have begun the song, saints are swell
ling the choir, and soon the voice of every
weary pilgrim now on his journey, will bs
attuned to the song of praise unto him wht
has redeemed us and washed us in his BLOOD
and made us kings and priests unto God.
The Committee on slavery resolution viii