Smyrna times., 1860-12-06

science. A second blessing is the
Peace Nth ,ohich Ue haze been Blessed.
Although we have been blessed with peace
IN our relations with other nations, yet it is
with profound regret that we are required TO
say that we have agitation and strife in our
own borders, agitatons of such character as
threaten the dissolution of this Union, which
was given to US, under the blessing of God, by
the immortal Washington, and baptised by the
blood of our fathers. Such are the the crcum-
stances which surround us to-day that every
Christian patriot should 60 to throne ofgrace,
and with one united petition beseech God to
avert the threatened calamity, and that our
gallant Ship of State may perform prosper
Gus journey far down the stream of time, saved
from the bliows of disunion and sectionaism,
and that the Star S9angled Banner may wave
over US in it's ina jestic folds, without a single
star being b'otted from its rich constellation,
years after each of US here to-day shall cease
to gaze upon it forever. But while this is the
fact, still it is a cause of thankfulness that we
are blessed with peace in our relations with
other governments. A third blessing is
The Prosperity which still Attends Us.
God has not only given US an exalted posi-
tlon among the Nations of the Earth, and made
our enemies to be at peace with US, but he has
crowned US with prosperity. | know that
| fears were entertained during the past season
that our staff of bread would be cut off, but
God has disappointed our fears, and in harvest
we were permitted to see our fields running as
mighty sea, richly ladened with golden
grain, while Autumn has revealed the ia ct that
we have enough and TO spare. If some por
tons have need Gas Kansas) other portions
the Country have 10 spare SO that we have
plenty to meet our necessities lie has bless.
ed us spiritually. Among these | would name
The Institutions of the Church,
Where the Word is faithfully dispensed and
the Sacraments duly administered.
second blessing OF this class is the
Preservation Of the Church.
Amid all the changes that are taking place,
God has merciiully preserved the Church in
her purity.
A third blessing of this class
Is the Comfort the Church has Afforded Is
and Our Families.
The many blessings which we have received
from the hand of God at his sanctuary, grow
ing out of our Church relations, have been
powerful helps 10 develop our Christian char
acter. How deep the necessity OF giving
thanks to the Father Of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Do we feel the spirit of gratitude! How i'm
portant that we render 1t with our lips, our
hearts, and our lives.
ii. The feeling the Christian should profess
in reference to the future" Courage"
Though difficulties threaten the Republic
God reigneth.
1st. God is unchangeabe in all his attributes
, 2nd. The promises of God are all yea and
amen forever.
/ I'd. Our past Affections are gone forever.
; These are some of the reasons why th'
Christian should take courage for the future
and sing
; Courage. my soul on God rely,
DeIverance soon will come
h thousand ways hath providence
" To bring believers home.
Then praise him for all that is past,
And trust him for all that's To cone.
: The Rev. ]. E. Grammer, of the Episcopa
g church, preached an eloquent sermon fror
= Psalms, 10th chap. Isl vs." God is our refug
/ and our strength, a very present help in trou
- be." A number Of his hearers were so plea Sc
1t with the discourse that they solicited, and hav
:, handed it to US for publication, but not in tim
q for this issue. 1t will appear in our next.
y Al Bethel NJ. f. Church, on the Circuit, tn
II Rev. Dr. Quigley preached a sermon suitab
Il to the day and times, from Ephesians DC. %
't =" Giving thanks always, for all thing, uni
God and the Father, in the name of the Lor
\, Jesus Christ"
s. We had the pleasure of listening to this di
8, course-discursive 10 its style and suggestiI
in its reflections. After few appropriate il
troductory remarks on the importance of pu
lie thanksgiving, he read the Governors pro
vi lamation, remarking that these da VS. of tha k
I'd giving appointed by the Chief Magistrates
r States and Nations were the public acknov
:, ledgment that, above all human or angelic DO,
er there is a God, and that this Earth, thoue
" one of the small provinces of his vast empir
Nv is the special object of his care. He, it is tn
he acknowledged, brings the seed time and Il
ed harvest. He then compa red the proclamatiC
8 with the text, and reviewed the various caus
therein set forth as the reason why we shou
lis return thanks, viz: "peace, prosperity, CT,
he and religious liberty, fertile soil and geni
of cline" These various items were taken
m. in succession, the speaker presenting weigh
, aud Impressive reasons why we. as a peop
'o- had more abundant cause than those of a
II other nation TO reader thanks for Divine favo
on Allusion was made, while discussing the fiji
En- topic (peace) to the threatening sectional tro
ro- bles, but he found much reason TO hope III
- peace aud fratcrnal feeling would be restor
'o' through the means of the Christian religic
ZEN and quoted from the Methodist Discipline
in 2;}d article OF their religion, showing that
.ed one uniting himself with that church could
!, a consistent Disunienist, because he expres
'"e declares. in uniting with the church and
e. ceiving this 23d article OF religion that he v
our be subject and Obedient not only to the ST.
ave but National authorities, and that the pres
80 order of government should remain unchang
,.o True Methodists, said the speaker, are alwr
loyal, and in no other church is there dema
ned ed such implicit faith in, and obedience to
special pO1ers Of g Ouernment Of these Uni
;, States. 10 dwelling on the latter topics (ge
IL IL ~ +