The Portland daily press., 1862-12-05
Thanksgiving Services at Chestnut Street
Church.

Church.
I Among the eloquent and patriotic dscourses
delivered in our city on Thanksgiving day,
was one by Rev. Wm r. Clark, pastor of the
Chestnut Street Church. We have listened
on various occasions with much interest to his
| pulpit and platform efforts, but seldom with
more pleasure than on this The Methodist
itinerant system has supplied this Church and
congregation with pastors of first class talent,
and without disparagement to previous incum-
bents we may safely say that the parish is ex-
ceedingly fortunate in securing the services of
man so active, earnest and eloquent in ev-
erything pertaining to religious and patriotic
effort.
The sermon Thursday was based on 1st
Thess. 9Th, 18th: "In everything give thanks"
&c. Paul said this, writing from Athens, while
the subject of ridicule, surrounded by dis
couragements, but with a noble purpose in
view and faith in his success, he stood firmly
against all opposers, possessing grateful spir-
it and encouraging it ia others. We need the
same spirit and faith in the provdential sgni-
fcance of present events. Private and public
bereavements make us sad, but in all, if prop
erly viewed, we may see more of sunshine than
OF shadow-the darkest clouds have silver
Inning. The thunder storm, though terrific and
destructive, puriiies the atmosphere-the sur
geon's scalpe though inficting pain saves the
! life of the patient. We should be selfpossess-
ed and grateful, though the times are dark and
sorrowful,-God is in the whirlwnd, and the
right will prevail.
In August 1869, Dutch man-of-war enter
ed James river Virginia,w cargo of slaves,
for sale. In December 1920, another vessel
landed colony of heroic, expatriated chris
tain men and women on Plymouth Rock.
These were the germs of two antagonistic for
ces as widely separated as the antipodes in
their objects, aims and tendencies, and which
have eliminated in the gigantic rebellion and
civil war, now desolating our fair land. The
currents of national life they separately gener-
ated, could not flow on harmoniously forever
The principle of free Democratic Republic
with Christian Institutions, now the glory of
the North, governed the noble spirits in the
May Flower,while Virginia took to her bosom
vile and loathsome raptile. Some northern
States followed her example, but soon shook
OIL the serpent as Paul did his at Melta, but
all over the sunny south he was seen fattening
on the blood and sinews of sable victims till he
became the terror and dread ofthis nation. For
more than quarter OF a century not a Presi-
dent was elected without pledge that the SER
pent should not be molested. Congressman
went into the halls of legislation with pistols,
bludgeons and bowie knives to defend him.
Only an occasional speech was made whose
authors did not look anxiously at his fiery
eyes. Powerful corporations heard his hiss
above the buzz Of their spindles-ermined
judges shaped their logic by his Shiny trail,a and
demagogues their course by his dictation-
spectators were dazzled by his glossy scales,
and while Southern doctors of fdivinity threw
over him the mantle of the patriarchs, north
ern ones were blinded by "south-side views"
OF his graceful folds, and the religious press
alternately f1attered and terrified by his syren
charms and iorked tongue. At length it pro-
duced nest of traitors and conspirators at the
Capital, who, with the low, sneaking cunning
and cowardice oftheir progenitor, deliberately
plotted the overthrow ofthe Federal Govern
ment. The serpent had coiled around our
standard and was thrusting his deadly fangs in
to the vitals of our eagle, when twenty mil
lions OF ireemen rose as one man to shake of
the hellish vipor and crush it beneath the tread
of their armed battallions.
This serpent should have been strangled in
his early growth as our fathers designed and
expected, but he was not, and now we have no
alternative but to let him suck out our life
blood and transform our glorious temple of
liberty into shrine in which he NAV be pet
ted and worshipped by the present and coming
generations; or, rise in our might and launch
into him the thunderbolt of war. The strug-
gle is terrible, but the result not uncertain. In
the spirit Of sacrifice and effort made by our
fathers, we should preserve what they have
bequeathed US. Though it may be hard at
times to see it, yet the object is worth the
blood and tears, and treasure it will cost. Our
worthy and honest Chief Magistrate has taken
stand that challenges our admiration, and
will henceforth shape our national course;
freedom is to be nationaized and not slavery.
The friends and apologists of the "sum of all
villinries," as American slavery was termed by
John Wesley, have committed fatal mistake
by their persistent purpose to extend it in
definitely. Coming generations will rejoice in
our struggle and bless the memory of the pres
ent loyal actors in this terrible tragedy.
The Rev. gentleman will excuse us for this
briefand imperfect report of his remarks, SO
replete throughout with soul-stirring pathos
and hopeful encouragement to every loyal
heart. Isolated must be the individuals who
will not fully respond to the noble utterances
put forth. Events are developing right re-
suits, and the Union with its untold blessings
will be the heritage of our children. -
IFor the Pressl
From an u. 8. Engineer.