The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1857-11-26
THANKSGIVING.

tuted by the stern old Democratic Puri-
tans Of New England, we afo invited by
the authorities of the State to devote our
thoughts to-day to a review Of the un-
numbered blessings bestowed on US the
past year, by an infinite, benificent, and
loving Parent, in whose designs our be-
ing arose, and in whose care we have our
daily existence. Most men spend the |
day in thoughtless hilarity, and think
that only the professedly religious are
expected to unite in prayer and praise to
the author of all our blessings. But can
any one elevate his mind to contem-
plation to the benevolent and parental
care that mark all the adaptations Of the
world to our happiness-see how Pa
rents loving kindness has made oil the
wants, duties and passions Of men-if
rightly used-sources Of enjoyment; and
behold how bounteously he has heaped
the lap of Nature with comforts and lux
uries for all his children-so that not one
Of the humblest goes uncared for, and
even the birds and insects have their AL
lotted share Of his bounty--and not be
moved with sentiments of profound graf
itude and love to the Parent that mani
tests so much love for US? And who has
read the history Of his country without
tracing the hand Of experimenting
Providence in all its great events, more
evidently manifested than in the divine
guardianship Of the Jews? and if He
has now a chosen people on earth, whom
He is training for the accomplishment OF
some great design-for the revelation OF
new political and social light and truth
to the world, and on whom He is shower
ing countless benefits, it is our own be-
loved country, prosperous in spite Of its
temporary revulsion-and glorious and
great and still marching on-with gian,
tread--to greater happiness--to greater
wealth, and to increased power in the
world, to fulfil the mission which God has
assigned it to accomplish.
And who that has share I'm this good
ly heritage" can be ungrateful, and forge,
his blessings as citizen of o country
basking in the sunshine Of heavens "a.
vors, where mind is as unshackled as
the spirits that roam the heavens
where intellectual light and knowledge
are inhaled as freely as the air We breathe
where the poorest child in the lowlies
cabin may indulge the loftiest aspira
tions and feed his hopes on the brightes
visions, and fill his heart with the no
blest purposes and highest ambition
and though he fail to realize any Of them
the happiness and the benefits of our In
stitutions are not in the attainments o
our wishes, but in the impulses the,
give to the workings Of the mind, and il
the pursuit Of the noble objects whicl
they open to every citizen. Abound u
are scattered material blessings SO boun
teous, that we revsl in them and vast
them almost without q thought Of tt
source Of the great gifts and plenty, tina
are lavished upon US. From the ric
fields lie has prepared and reserve
for us from the foundations of the worl
GONE harvests of abundance, that fee
us-clothe us-make US content, happ,
and Joyous. 1t needs no sanctimonioI
face nor awe in our hearts to yield THANK
and praise to the Glver Of all these ble'
sings; and let Us on this day in the mid
OF the least-in our rejOicings, jOlllty an
laughter, say in our hearts "alI the
bounties-all this happiness-all this jC
and enjoyment are thy blessings, bestov
ed on US, Oh Heavenly Father! for whic
and the innumerable blessings tho
art daily bestowing on US and our cou
try, make US ever thy grateful children
n N-T.laTanN