Smyrna times., 1860-12-13

| er; together they have rallied at one cry. and,
with the ensigns and armOr and watchwOrds Of
| the Union aud the Constitution, they have
| fought and bled and cOnquorel; together we
| have reaped the rewards OF bravery and patrl-
olIsm upon the sea and the land, and as one
people our name is crowned with the bright
halo of the past. What, too, ca bind US more
closely than that of historic association! The
same inheritance Is shared by all, aud unto
Iiod the glory and honor and power OF this
Union is due TO the whole sisterhood of States.
3. He is our strength, for He has brought
us into these lands of fraternal connection not
only by nature and IN history, but lie has made
us one IN religion. We are a Protestant Ma
tlon HIS precious truth has found lodgment
IN the heart ofthe peOple-like grain of mus
tard, 1t has grown to a tree, under whose |
branches we find shelter and refreshmenL-
! The Bible Is our book faith. 1t Is the sacred |
authority which seals the conscience and ties. |
tlmony OF Presidents and Judges, OF Jurors and |
witnesses, OF cltlzens-native and toreign.-
From this, as from fountain, have we all |
drawn supplies OF sweet water 10 Quench the !
burning of worldly thirst. 1t is one religion
which is consecrating our Union-whlch is
calling our people from their homes and their
business TO the alter of prayer and praise, to
the God OF the Union, which TO day brings US
together IN His house as Statc--Inay | not
say as Nation! and invites every man, in the
liberty OF his conscience aud the persuasion of
his own mind, to render thanks to the Glver of
every good and perfect grtt.
lie is our strength, for he has made US TO be
one OF mind in our ProtestantIsui, aud blessed
his Church and people here as nowhere else IN
the civilized globe. Oh what bond of union
among her people is the Christianity of Amerl-
ca. The Constitution may be destroy ed; her bill
OF rights blotted out; her States whelmed in
the waves of civil war, but her Bible can never
be taken from her. 1t is the ark of her safety
Her religion will gather the people beneath
the same Divine shelter, and they will survive
the storm. Christianity has laid It's hand upon
this Union of States, and with the solemn sane
tiOn Of Heaven declared, What God hath
joined together let no man put asunder" 1t
were an lnlquity to attempt It, which He will
visit with the vengeance of his wrath. Before
the alter OF our faith this covenant was made
= aud 1t can never be disannUl.ed except by the
! pollution OF the nations virtue. We are one
people-Of one falth--one name--one home
one histOry-and one religion. May 1t ever
be so. May the Union last while the Earth
D remains and time is measured by the unwea-
) ried sun.
. God is our strength. Oh how strong he
is making US by the sympathles and ties Of
our Protestant lilsrature-of our Protestant
schools, colleges and unVerslties--of our Pro-
testant pui pits, and Protestant convention
OF Sabbath shoots and prayer meetings all over
this Gospel-glrt land of Liberty and Plenty
Brethren, men may clamor for Dlsunon, but
they can't stihe, in their wild uproar, the stll
. small voice which whispers bove the howlings
of the storm" Know that am God. will
4 be exalted among the heathen; | will be exal-
. ted among the nations.
q God Is our strength and He is stronger than
IaaI, s,rrh ~
g stronger than FanaticIsm, though it is a demon
Q of power, God, let us believe, will not let
II the Union be dissolved. 1t is the creature of
q His hand--the child Of His Providence He
v has raised US up to be a herald of His Gospel
4 to be a witness OF His lruth--a minister of
o mercy and of judgment TO the world.
,e Let US have faith in His arm, for it is not
% shortened, that il cannot save; His ear is not
A heavy that it cannot hear. He will answer
N while we are calling, for the text declares he
,e al very present help in trouble" All, that
,e the Christian people OF America would cast
n their care, then, upon him to-day, for he careth
for them! Let US rejoice and give thanks
n Let our prayers and praises ascend as from one
!. heart, to the Author of all our mercies. Lei
ID US be glad and re jolce that we have such a
n land--such lIbertIes--such a Constitution
of Let US never cease to thank Him for HIS warn
40 ings and judgments, and humble ourselves TO-
!, day in sense of our own unwOrthIness Le
~ gratitude swell our hearts for all the bOuntIei
-, of his providence; for the waving fields o
m grain, and all the kindly fruits OF the earth
nd for the countless merces of the past year ant
- our whole lives; for our blessings as n congre
70 CATION, as community, as families and as in
ss dviduals. But, above all, let us be thankful
N; for the Union, and that God is our strength
o. lie is in the midst Of her--she shall not b
nj moved. God will help her, aud that righ
mr. early
he The Union the Union! In God we repose:
=, We confde in the power that vanqushed our foes!
" The God of our iathers-Oh, still may he be
IN The strength ofIhe Union the hope Of the free
his Division! no. never! the Union forever;
Ike And cursed be the hand that country wOul
oIa sever
ith We have faith in His goodness, and powt
ial to change the hearts of the counselor of th
people, that they will advise measures of mo,
for aration and peace. Let US believe not onI
ed that he can, but that he will, cause The eli
ed, ments of this government. which are now
ties war, to cease from this strife, and there sha
n be great calm.
oh. In the language Of the Farewell Address
the the Father OF our Country, we pray 9TH
ght Heaven may continue TO US the tokens of
ing beneficenee that our Union and brotherly
rub. fecli ns may be perpetual; that the freq CO
stitutitUtion, which was the work Of our ha nC
rets may be sacredly malntalned; That It's admin
for trstion, in every department, may be stamp
en-. with wisdom aud virtue; that, in fine, the ha
that piness OF the people OF these States, under
with auspices OF Liberty, may be made compIe
the by TO saretul preservation, and so pruden
hus. use of this blessing, as will acquire to thu
thus the glory OF recommending It to the applau
rea- the affection and the adoption OF every natl
which is yet q stranger to it. That God "
tory. imprint upon our hearts a deep and SOLE
m is sense Of our own obligations to him for
been blessings as a people that he will preserve
-awn from the arrogance Of prosperity, and fr
rsing hszarding the advantages we enjoy by deIus
d of pursuits; that he VIII dispose us TO merit
rung continuance OF his iaVois oy not abusing tn