The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1863-12-12
Thanksgiving Sermon Preached
IN TIE
Methodist Epis. Church,
NORTH EAST, Oh the Goth ult.,
BY THE
Rev. w. Il. England.

Enter into his gates with thanksgiving and into his
courts with praise be thankful unto him and bless his
name. Psa. e. v.
The duty of praising God, is, under
ordinary circumstances acknowledge.
But shall the nation assemble for thanks
giving when so many of our fellow men
are exposed to the perils of the battle
field, suffering in hospitals, or confined
in gloomy prisons of an cnemy's terrific
ry, when the wall of bereavment ascends
from thousand bleeding hearts, of
mo hers, of widows, and of orphans If
we have descended 10 the deepest grade
of human suffering, and are beyond the
hope of recovery, then may we hang our
harps upon the willow. But if there is,
or may be, any community or common
wealth on earth in a riore deplorable
condition than we are, there is some
ground of thankfulness.
Is there no cause of gratitude in the
fact that our coun ry, during the past
year, has enjoyed almost unprecedented
health No pestilence has breathed it's
poison upon us, and the usual diseases
have not been more than ordinarily fatal.
Providence has also signal y smiled upon
our bre hren in the army. Even IN Sec
tons formerly subjected 10 the annual
visit of his "jaffiom majesty '-the yell
low fever--our men have enjoyed COM
parative health, aud have been spared
the local pleagues of the country. How
far This is attrbu able 10 the prayers of
pious and loyal hearts, will not pretend
TO say. But are we not safe in CHASING
it among those Providential blessings
which challenge our thanksgiving
Our commercial centers are also, in
prosperous condition. At no period,
perhaps, has the business of the country
been more prosperous, or money pientier.
This is especially true of our home trade.
Nor need any suffer, or be idol, since the
demand for labor not only affords em-
ployment, but is already advancing the
wages of the working classes.
Nor has our agricultural department
withheld its ordinary crops g.; while prices
have been amply remunerative contras-
ted with other sections Of our country,
especially that portion of it in arms a
gainst the Government, the loyal States
may behold to-day the signal smile of
Providence.
''IIc hath made the grass the hills aaorn,
And clothed the smiling fields with corn
Verify ''lIe crowneth the year with
his goodness" Not only plenty, but
peace also, blesses the loyal s ates. True
there is voice OF wailing in the land.
Mothers, fathers, widows, children and
lovers, weep between the porch and altar
crying-O Lord, how long wilt Thou
no. avenge the blood of the innocent
But this can be endured in the absence
of that blood, carnage and general de-
vastaton which afficts the rebelious
States. We are suffering but the small
esc portion of the cup of national indig-
nation poured upon the country. The
vial Of wrath is commingcd with mercy
to the loya communi les. For this, let
us thank God, and lake courage. The
enigma of Providence will soon be ex-
planned, and brigh er day dawn upon
our country.
In proof of this, We need only point to
the moral attitude of the country. New
er did civil war exist with less democrat
ling influences. In fact the criminal
records show reformation i'll this re-
spect, and present the anomaly of a pco-
pie vigorously conducting civil war,
and at the same time accelerat!ng the
great moral reforms of community
Never in the history of our Republic has
more money been raised for missionary and
other benevolent purposes, in the same
length of lime, han during the pas two
years. And although the different
churches have suffered numerically, they
have lost none of their strength and
moral power Nay, their energies seem
to have increased with the emergencies
of the case, aud hence more tracts and
Bibles have been distributed han in any
former two years. The work of church
extension, is also, progressing wiki re-
spectacle enterprise. Nor has our edu-
caional system been seriously tramnel-
ed 1t would be difficult to point to
single Institution of learning, nos contig-
nous to the border line of our difficulties,
which has been closed either for want of
funds or by disturbing elements in socie
~, Churches, Schools, Bible, Tract, and
Missionary soclties, and other benevolent
inst ions are still in hoarishing con-
dition. Masons, Odd Fellows, Temper
ence organizations, and host of other
beneficial societies are also thriving
The voice of the turtle is heard in all
the land, except where sprouts the upas
of faction and treason, from soil where
death gernina es aud demon yipers nes-
tie. ..
An angel power is in the loyal States,
which cannot fail to enlist the attention
and elicit the gratitude of every phllan-
thropic spirit. Recently its wing of
compassion Las sire ched even to the
Gulf States, and is shedding as far as
possible, benign influence upon our Of
tcers and men. Even under the enor-
nous expenses of the country, the ad-
vanced price of living, and increased tax
att u, 1t finds thousands upon thousands
for the relief ofsuherng loved ones. The
aged matron, as she weeps over the fate
OF her boy, rejoiaes that he is not friend
less he wife remembers that benevo-
lent arm is extended to her distant bus
band, while many a noble patriot writhe-
i,o in the hosuitals or BREATHING hn.y,iv