Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1859-12-01

we have reason to hope that this period which
usually puts an end to the activity or even
existence of individual life, is but the begin
ing of our national strength and DURATION
To the Constitution" itself we owe it that
we have already lived so long, and prospered
so marveously, or rather that kind and
mighty hand of Providence which presided
over its formation, and which raised up tina
wonderful man by whose influence mainly II
was originally established as wcl as admins
tered. who was indeed FIRST in peace as vel
as first in war" During these seventy
wears what hath God wrought As the en-
cellent authoress above referred to, has
said-"n 1889, the thirteen individual States
then forming the American Confederacy, be-
came by the ratification OF the Constitution
over the forming of which Washington him
self presided, the Unired American Nation
The flag of our country now numbers thirty
two stars on its crown of blue, and some hall
dozen or more additional starlets are shining
out of the depths of our wilderness continent
soon to be added to our system of independ-
ent and united Government of the People
God save the United States He has saved
enlarged, blessed, and propcled us beyond
any people on this globe. Should we not be
thankful, and keep high holiday of gratitude
and gIadness in acknowledgment of these ma
tional blessings? Seventy years ago, there
were only about three millions of people mn
der our flag now it waves its protecting folds
from the Atlantic to the Pacific, and nearly
thirty millions of souls are enjoying its bless
ings If every State should Join in union
thanksgiving on the oath of this month
would it not be a renewed pledge of love and
loyalty to the Constitution of the United
States, which guarantees peace, prosperity
progress, and perpetulty to oar great Rcrub-
lie?
This appointment Of a ebay Of prayer" is
itself an occasion of Thanksgiving, and il
is ono of tire most hopeful signs of the times
that our dependence uqen Divine Providence
is SO generally acknowledged. Almost all
our public men seem to feel the need Of a re-
rirdl of tire spirit of the founders of our Re-
publicin this respect especially. The men,
orable testimony Of DR.. Franklin, in the first
Congress, with regard to the necessity OF
prayer to God, above all other means of ma
tional defence and prosperity, has been adj
duced on great number of occasions before
large assemblies of our people. The prac-
tice of Washington himself, in regard to pray
er both public and private, has been held up
to public view, and attracted universal ad-
miration. And mutitudes of our people
have actually adopted this expedient in a
manner unknown before, maniiesting large
measure of the spirit offs ppication offering
public addresses to the throne Of grace, moi
only on the Sabbath, but through the week
and even in business hours of the day, fol-
themselves and their country, the Church and
the world
May we not regard these circumstances as
token for good. A spirit of prayer has ev-
er been harbinger of blessing. 1t is itself
one of those good gifts, which come down
from the Father of lights. Let those then
who have received this gift, pray that it may
be bestowed upon all our people, that God
would thus turn the hearts OF the children T.
the fathers and in answer to the prayers which
His own word has enjoyed and Ills spirit in
spired, open the windows of Heaven and pour
us out blessing, even the blessing OF peace
For this purpose no filter words can be found
than those which Franklin himself once pen
ned at the conclusion of his celebrated pam
phlet on 1.-The condition of the Province .
Pennsylvania" in the year l744.
inlay the God of wisdom, strength an,
power, inspire us with prudence, in the tim
of danger, take away all the seeds of conten
tion and division. unite the hearts and coln
sells of all, of whatever sect or naUon, in on
bond of peace brotherly love and generou
public spirit. May He give as strength AM
resolution to amend our lives, and remov
from us everything displeasing to Him, al
ford us this gracious protection, confounC
the designs of our enemies, and give peac
| in all our borders
-sS-).Ss-~