Worcester daily spy., 1860-12-01
ThanksgIvins Sermons.

preaching discourse suggested by the pres
ont political crisis at the south, taking for his
text words from David's prayer for Jerusa-
lem pray for the peace ofJerusalem they
shall prosper that love thee"
He said that, in needing the call of the gov
ernor of the commonwealth TO give public
praise and thanksgiving TO Almighty God for
the preservation Of the states uuited, the ques-
ton would arise, i'll view of the gloomy and
alarming notes of disunion at the south, wheth
er this was not rather a time to fast and pray
now while the sun seems in disastrous
eclipse, and thick clouds are settling down
upon the land, aud the goodliest structure that
ever man looked upon is showing ghastly
seams, while men at the north and south curse
this Union. Men at the south, wildly dream
ing of secession, not needing the insurmounta-
bic difficulties which arise to prevent peace
able disunion, do not take into consideration
how their evils would be aggravated ten fold
by such mad venture. Men at the north
have always considered these secession threats
as idle words but, said the preacher, ii l
read signs Alright, this is a storm OF momentous
peril, and, in view of the late proceedings at
the south, crisis has arrived which should fill
the patriots heart with The deepest solicitude.
While other nations have constantly been
tortured with civil war, we lave Tor nearly
three-quarters OF Il century been favored land
OF peace. The peace congress OF nations, SO
ardently desired by men who would Danish
war from civilized countries, has been realized
by the statesunited in our federal congress.
Let that pond be broken, what dire ul scene
of confusi on will follow Like that which at
tended the dissolution of the roman empire
fair fields turned to desolation, and brothers
| saughterng each other
But on this day we will not contemplate
such gloomy future. Rather should we trust
to the Being who holds nations in the hollow
of His hand Perhaps we have not been con-
siderate enough to fiery people already great
ly perplexed and have not entirely banished
the desire to indulge in recrimination for fam
cied or real outragcs, forgetting that 1t is not
rude and violent men who write the pages of
the worlds history Let not our legislators
fear to be Just, and if they find ancient COM
pacts trfed with in so much as hairs
breadth, let them hasten to do justice. In
northern bosoms, there is no such thing as
enmity to our southern brethren, not toward
them, but toward the institution Of slavery.
| But commit no wrong and while we note the
progress Of liberty in less favored countries,
how can we hope for anything else than day
| of freedom, such as Jefferson, and Madison,
and our best statesmen, saw III their vision!
| While the portentous clouds are about us, we
need heavenly wisdom to guide US The
angry voice should be hushed, and appeals
made TO the wisdom and better understanding
Of the south. BY iorbearance on our part,
sentiment will be aroused there, latent love
of the Union, that shall contound in its majes-
tic thunder the disunionist and the fanatic.
Let us be thankful to day that we yet have a
land of freedom. Pray, brethren, for the
peace of Jerusalem"
The closing hymn, which we copy, reflects
the spir, and purpose of the scrmon:-
From foes that would our land deyour
From guilty pride and lust OF power
From wild seuiuon's lawiess hour;
Prom oke OF slavery
From gddy change, BY fancy bled;
From poisoned errors serpent heaui
God Lord, preserve us tree!
AT THE OLD SOUTH CHURCH.
Rev. Mr. James preached at the Old South
church an eloquent discourse from Revelations
XII Is :-"The kingdoms Of this world are be
come the Kingdoms of our Lord and Of His
Christ" This, he said, is prophetic declar-
alton, telling what shall be, though it seems to
speak of what is. The time is 10 come when
| God shall reign on earth, time when all in.
telligent beings shall recognize His laws SIS
binding, and civilization shall be universal.
At that coming time rational institutions shall
breathe the spirit OF christianity. Wars, ma
tional iealousies, and various evil government
al arrangements, will yield to a more benef-
cent policy founded on the brotherhood of ma
tons. Every lover of God and man should
note the signs Of the times and on this occa-
sion he should speak of the present condition
of the world in its governmental aspects, and
consider what signs Of promise there are for
the future
The changes of the past year, be thought
were hopeful for the coming OF Christ's king.
dom on earth. In reviewing tie worlds pro
gress during the year, he found that China
has made progress-her prejudices are giving
way, and new elements Of civilization find
place. Popuous Japan, even, has become
less exclusive, and the result of the embassy
to our shores was alluded to, as carrying back
with them whole world of ideas
The growing results Of christian labors in
Southern India, the prospect Of speedy down
fall of the Islam power in Turkey, and the
building up there of new structure of gov.
ernment were both ALLUDED to. the won
drous changes in fair and fruitful Italy now
coming so quietly under the rule of that large.
minded soldier king, Victor Emanuel, have
been so astounding and miraculous that we
can scarcely realize them. King BONITA is no
more tine pope has lost the better part Of his tenn
poral Estates which have placed themselves
under the protection Of a christon king = the
pope is repudiated and thwarted the poor,
whining old man, cared for by few and second
ed by none, is forced TO displace Antonelli and
commence milder career. Brave Garibaldi,
who resembles our own Washington, lays
down all his authority and goes to his island
home followed by the admiring gaze of all
Europe and America. The light will spread
more and more where the young King OF Sar-
dinia extends his sway. All these things have
a strictly religious as well as a secular bearing.
Havelock and Gar1baldi have been Christs
| ,,,,..