Litchfield enquirer., 1861-11-28
For the Enquirer. SHORT SERMONS. BY A LAYMAN.-No. FIVE.
A THANKSGlV ING SERMON.
IEXT.-" o Be JoWa.l ]"

l
 MY HEARERS s:--Ycu will expect your peripa- tetic preacher will so far honor himself, you, and |" the day we celebrate" as to give you a short sermon appropriate to the occasion, as a strengthening plaster to your diaphragms, an appetizer for your dinners, and dram for your digestion. And so will.
 But you will allow me to be as brief as pos sble, and indeed will rejoice with me at my de- termination, for there is nothing I so much de spise and deprecate as long g-wnded homilies from preachers on these anniversary occasions -espe- cially, when, as now, the festive turkey is wait ing to be devoured.
 What glowing memories, my hearers, are call ed up by the excellent proclamation of our good Governor, ard what happy realities attend the day!
 Now in many a house, and round many 0 hearth stone in your community, are gathered together whole families, from the venerable grand pa to the troops of children at his knee. all rejoicing in one grand, noble inspiration, that of gratefulness for the mercies and blessings that have crowned the year, not forgetting the state of things abroad. How peculiarly appro- priate shall be the incense of praise to-day l! Never has our generation known such year as this before-a year of horrid war, year of ma ny partings, year of anxious hopes, of tortur- ing fears, of sighs and sobs and groans, but of a courage and faith and hope and patriotic denial and zeal grander than were passed through till now. Had we nothing else to be thankful for, for abundant harvests, or peace, or plenty. or happy homes we might well be grateful that we have been permitted only 10 Hre in such times as these 10 do our duty, and evince our trust in and devotion to the Right.
 l cannot tell how many hearts I shall be speaking to, who have made such sacrifices to their country, whose thoughts to-day, amid all the noise and hustle and tumult of those at home, go out to those absent ones who, in the camp, or on the field, or on the deck, are sus- tained and soothed by the remembrance of the faces that are gathered now within the happy circles they delight to think of but am sure voice comes back from their hearts, sincere, ardent, triumphant--a voice that bids the heart and tongue to rejoice as never before, since, while it is appointed unto aH once to die, how few there arc who arc appointed to such glor- ous life and glorious death if need be, as theirs in defence of their country and the Right!
 The Reflections are many that crowd upon us to-day. few shall suffice for the many
 Let us remember to be grateful for what mer- ces we have;-they are many.
 Let us be grateful for things we have not, and shouldn't have;-they are few.
 Let us be joyful for what we are, and let us be thankful for what we are not.
 Let us be grateful for our arms, bread, cups, dogs: eggs, friends girls, hearts, ills, jaws, kicks, minds noddles, organs, powers, quips ranks, sense, tongues, urchins, veterans, wives, xerotes years, zeal. Sc. &c.,, to the end of the chapter
 Let us rejoice loudly for these large favors, and for small ones in proportion.
 And now, little children and big, you may run home to your turkey and cider. Don't stuff yourselves stiff, nor drink yourselves drunk. Be thankful for what you eat, and remember to drink mildly. And so your preacher wishes you light hearts, full stomachs, and good di- gestion.
 Which is all at present.