Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1859-11-25
THANKSGIVING SERMON,
REV. ]. ". DODGE.

Inc Cnurch was well hIIed, showing that,
although our rulers may not think that we
have any cause of thanksgiving, yet our
people do. 1t is a beautiful and well ap-
proved custom, and one much better hon
ored in the observance than in the breach
Coy. Wise's notions to the contrary,
Notwithstanding
After an opening voluntary by the choir
from the cantata of Daniel, commencing,
sin God is our trust" prayer was offered,
and the regular services commenced by
giving out the Goth hymn, beginning,
Say, should we search the globe around,
= Where can snch Happiness be found9"
Tho Rev. J V. Dodge, brotherof the regular
pastor, then announced that the text which
he had chosen for some remarks applica-
bic. to the occasion, was the 18th verse of
the Hath Psalm, reading:
'IIappy is that people that is in such case; yea
happy is that people, whose God is the Lord"
Mr. Dodge then proceeded to remark
that if the multitude of blessings bestow-
ed upon people, whatever be their char
0cter, are in general to he considered as
evidence Of the kind and merciful regards
of Almighty God, much more are such
blessing 10 be deemed the expression Of
his peculiar love and favor, when conferred
upon a people who make it their delight to
fear and honor him. righteousness cxalt-
eth q nation"-nattonal piety ensures ma
tionalprosPerity. Thepeople who most tru-
lv take the Lord to be their God, will more
than any others experience the blessings
of his protecting care and preserving grace
Such has been, in general, the history of
Gods providential dealings with men and
nations in ages past, and such is the char
ncter of his dealing still. Would that the
Il. l..
be said with humble yet joyful confidence
to apply to us-thatwc were such apeople-
such natiou-that in the signal mercies
received during another year from the hand
of our Father. our people could unitedly
rejoice to-day, and rejoice in them as the
tokens of the love of our God in covenant
relation to us.
We are Protestant, and professcdly
Christian nation, and that in a higher
sense than any other nation. Do we real
izc it AS we ought? Do we estimate as we
ought, this our character? This inquiry,
it would seem, as if the current of events
was bringing nearer home to the hearts
and sense OF our people, and sooner or
later it must be answered. Influences
are ut work to test the security of our ma
tional birthrights, our faith in God, and
our right to worship. Already in some
parts OF the country, has the attention of
the people been awakened to the inquiry
rs to whether we are indeed a Protestant
and Christian people, and ADMINISTRATION
has provoked more fearless uttcrances of
private convictions, and is resulting, it is
hoped, in u more proper appreciation of
our privileges. CThe speaker then went
on to consider what our privileges were as
American citizens, and how that from the
very exalted nature of our political posi-
ton as free, Self-governing nation, we
approached nearer the ultimate divine
standard, which God intends for the human
race-and how that such freedom as we en-
joycd, from its very nature, brings us, as
people, more directly near to God, and
gives us more Immediately to do with Him.
We are more directly dependent on Him, so
to speak, than any other nation-wc have
fewer intervening agencies to look up
through to Him, than most other nations.
With US there is no necessity for standing
armies to enforce law, keep down the in
stincts of the people, and Cypress their
aspirations after liberty of thought and
action. The divine attributes of scIf-gov-
ernment were unfolding in our nationality,
and giving to the rest of the world,
specimen of man in his noblest condi-
tions)
1t is pleasing fact that so many States
il this highly favored Union (twenty-fve)
have. through their Executives agreed to
observe this day as Il day of special praise
and Thanksgiving to God for national mer-
cics during another year. 1t is matter of
regret that no such official recommendation
to all classes OF our citizens-merchant5,
mechanics, laborers, and the members of
the various professions has cmenated
from the Executive of this State, and some
l1af ~,
part Of our Executives is indicative of the
strength or weakness Ofpiety among them
and the people of their respective States,
or whether it IL to be accounted for by any
untowHrd eXcitements which would initiate
against tue observing of to-day, we under
take not TO say. But of this we are as
surcd, that though no moral obligation
rests upon us to observe such IL dav, vet no
privilege should be more gladly welcomed
by Il Christian people than that of day of
National Thanksgiving.
But to enumcrate simply and briefly some
OF the reasons why VIC shonld give thanks
is rather our purpose than TO call your at
tention to any one special subject:
Our thanks are due, said the Rev. gem
tleman, for the measure of public health.
plenty and prosperity which we have en-
.Joyed as nation. We have, during the
last year, been mcrcifully preserved from
scourges of famine or pestilence. The
destroying angel has had no mission of
wrath TO execute on us rs in some former
years. The smile of q beniiicent Provi-
dence has been abroad upon the labors of
the husbandman, and in all our borders
there is plenty OF the neccssaries of life.
The blessing of success seems to have yerv
generally crowned all the other depart
ments OF our national industry.
These were physical blessings. said the
speaker, for which VIC haze great cause to
be thankful to-day.
He next proceeded to contrast our con-
dition in these physical points of view
with some OF the Continental countries of
Europe, where recently they had had desc