The Portland daily press., 1862-12-06
Saturday Morning, Dec. 9, 1862.
A SERMON.

A SERMON.
Delivered Thsnksgising Day. Nov. ~ 1852, in Free
the Sabbath afternoon following by Rev. GEORGE
w. BoswoRTH, ID. D., Pastor.
TExr:But viii sing Of thy power, yea. will sing
aloud of thy mercy in the morning, for thou hast
been my defense and my refuge in the day of trou-
ble.-lPsALM LIx 16.
The experience of mercies always demands
the expression of gratitude; and more loudly
whed mercies are mingled with judgments
Nothing can be more base for people in the
day of trouble, than TO fail to acknowledge the
protection and deliverances which God accom-
plishes for them.
This Psalm is a lesson on such matters. 1t
is made up of prayer and praise. 1t was COM
posed by David to celebrate his escape when
Saul caused his house to be surrounded by SOL
diers who were ordered to kill him when he
should come out.-1 Sam, xix. This event
formed the commencement of Dayid's long
continued fight, during which he experienced
unheard of dangers and nameless sufferings
This Psalm was composed during this gloomy
period, and therefore makes mention of deliv-
erances obtained, while it implores the contin-
ued interposition of God in his behalf because
of the enemy. Its illusions and sentiments are
general, that they may be appropriated by all
who may be similarly situated.
Mark well the moral basis of the Psalmist's
addresses to Cod He addresses God in
most flial manner. 20 my God.n "God Is
my defense" The God of my mercy shall
prevent me-" Thou hast been my defense
and refuge in the day Of my trouble" Sun
to Thee, o my strength will sing: for God is
my defense, the God of my MERCY" Here
we behold the subdued emotions of mel
low hearted child turning unto the great
Father in confidence and cheerful hope Aud
In every great calamity In which Gods peo-
pie participate, they have been heard to adj
dress Him as their God, and to cry unto Him
for deliverance.
Moreover, David urges his own innocence
as to the enemy which has risen up agains
him. aThe mighty are gathered against me
not for my transgression, not for my sin, o my
Lord" He meant not to say that his afilic-
tions, as coming from God, had no justifca-
ton in himself, but that he had given the enc
my no just ground for such violent treatment.
1t was an appeal TO Omniscience as to his in
nocence in respect to Saul. And being inno-
cent he could properly plead with God TO dis
comfit and overthrow him. His prayer is the
cry ofinjured and prosecuted innocence, seek
ing redress OF Him to whom vengeance be-
longs" Nor can the assailing party in any
conflict reasonably hope for the divine inter-
position in their behalf, for their success. God
is always on the side of the innocent, and the
wronged. He may use the wicked as the rod
with which He chastises his people; but He
will never help the wicked to accomplish their
purposes. These two facts correspond with
the double character of the Psalm. In the ex-
ercise of filial love, David acknowledges deliv-
erances, while, conscious of innocence and the
rectitude of his cause, he implores Godi for final
and complete success.
Is not this Psalm suited to US as nation in
trouble? Our enemy, without just cause has
brought upon us great calamities, and threat
ems yet greater ones. But God hath wrought
extraordinary deliverances already for US,
which demand the exercise and expression of
devout gratitude, and thanksgiving. While
the night yet fingers we may say with David
will sing of thy po,cer, yea, | will sing
aloud of thy mercy in the morning: for thou
hast been my defense and refuge in the day of
my trouble" And propose to notice some
pf the events of the war now pending which
call for devout thanksgiving.
lsf. In any such enumeration we should
never omit the singular undniniity and spon-
tdneousness with which the North rose up TO
meet, and continues to resist, this monstrous
rebellion. This universal up rising of the Free
States was wholly unexpected by the South
They had confidently calculated that those
here who had been their political friends and
co-operators would, at least refuse TO take
up arms against them. They reckoned the
strength of their allies living in the Northern
States, sufficient to neutralize the exertions of
those who might be disposed to resist them by
force ana arms. Iney never expected TO con-
front their old associates leagued so closely
with their common political opponents. This
fact shows this union of the North to be re-
markable.
Scarcely less surprising was the spontaneous
and universal up rising of the people here, to
themselves. 1t was the theme of grateful mem
tion, and the cause of splendid outbursts of
eloquence, ia every speech from rostrum or
pulpit. 1t was hailed as a phenomenon only
second in marvellousness to the rebellion it.
self. Such fusion of political parties, such a
suspension of partizan strife, such a flowing
together in the exercise and practice of COM
mon patriotism of those who. but a few months
previous, had been arrayed in conflicting Sec
tons in support of opposing platforms, was
admitted TO be wonderful by all. We felt
that some spirit from above was moving
upon the heart of the multitude, calling
forth those deep, moral sentiments of our
common humanity, which will evermore take
the side Of truth and justice. We felt awe
struck!
This union at the North was far more spon-
taneous, prompt, and powerful than that at the
oouth. Here it was immediate and almost
universal, from the day of the bombardment OF
fort sumter. AT the South there were entire
states wnich came slowly and reluctantly into
Ihe hostle confederation. From the other
states tnere were many thousands who fed,
leaving their homes and their possessions and
business, TO escape violent treatment for not
uniting in a rebellion which they dsapproved.
Many who remained and are now among the
supporters of the Confederacy, gave in their
allegiance and support with hesitancy and
reluctance most suspicious, and strangely in