Ashtabula weekly telegraph. [volume] (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1853-1873, 1863-12-12
THANKSGIVING SERMON,
dchrered before the several churches o tie rilqe in D
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH, ASHTABULA,
By Rev. Charles Morton, Pastor,
Thursday, November 2Gth 1868.

SAM III, 2i-"Ftar the lord and serve Him In truth
with all your heart for consider how great Thugs He hstf
/ done for you"
Our text is part Of the Prophet Samuel's
last address to tho children of Isreel, over
whom, under Cod he had for many years pre-
sided as their Chief Magistrate. In it he
brcathcs the most genuine affection for them
well being and happiness-the most elevated
sentiment for their adoption-the most stern
and infexible fidelity for their imitation, and
prophetic warnings adapted 10 secure their
present and future good.
Israel was people highly fa7ored Of God
Upon them lie had bestowed blessings in rich
abundance, which lie had Withheld from all 9th.
er nations, TO persuade them to fidelity in his
service. And has lie not done more for us, as
a people, TO make US sensible Of our depen
dance upon Him, and OF our increasing ohiga.
tion to Him? Yes. Samuel, though dead,
yet speaketh to us, saying:-I will teach you
the good and the right way. Only fear the
Lord, and serve Him IN truth with all yoDr
hoai'i ioi Sousuei Nv" Bteub tuiuSs iio nn'u
done for you"
In many respects tho present Ia dark and
gloomy time. AS eope, We are involved in
all tue horrors Of a civil war, waged between
those who but yesterday were members Of the
same political family. In the number Of com.
batnnts, in the territory over which it extends,
in the skill and energy applied to its prosecu-
tion in the sacrifice of human life, in the eau
ses which have produced it, and in the ones.
tions which hang upon it for their solution
his war is tie most extraordinary one in the
history Of our fallen world. At such time,
it would seem specially appropriate to come be-
fore God with fasting, Humiliation and prayer
tha! gracious Providence might interpose aud
arrest the deadly contest. But the appoint
ment by which we are assembled this morning,
has recommended US to observe this day in
thanksgiving and praise. Well, il We have had
trials aud sorrows, We have also had blessings.
The common merces of good Providence we
have all enjoyed, in great abundance. Trust
ing that we shall not forget to thauk God, for
our duily comforts, our family blessings, our
spiritual privileges, our hopes OF heaven and
eternal glory; and especially for the mercy that
distinguishes us from so many oil our country
men, who are in circumstances Of extreme sui-
fering. propose TO enquire whether we may
not see some great things the Lord hath done
for US, connected wi III the very trials and afic-
tions through which We, as nation, are called to
pass, for which our hearts should swell with
gratitude aud beat high in love to Him.
/. One of the great things God has done for
US is found iu the political and moral character
of our cause.
Our Government, bnsed upon the pure ard
eternally enduring principles Of the glorious
gospel Of Christ, has drawn the sword to de-
lend The life of the nation against the most
atrocious rebellion the sun ever looked upon.
1t is coutendiug with anarchists lis foes ure
traitors whose vieneSs is unrivaed 10 the his.o-
tory of time. Treason on their part aud devo-
tiou 10 the Constitute and the Government
erected Oh it, ON our part, form the polite al
and moral contrasts Of this great struggle.
Traitors claim the right to diSmember this na.
tion at their pleasure. 70 secede from it, and
erect another within its territorial hm:ts to re.
pei aud utterly blast this attempt, is the right
eous object ior which the Goverumuut has ia.
ken up aims. There is hence Il political and
moral principle at stuke in this contest and 10
cry peace, without any regard TO this principle
is either weakness, or the very next thing to
treason itself Napo!ean said TO his brother
Joseph, when he was anxious for peace-"'rhe
word peace means nothing-lhe conditions Of
peoce are everything
10 surrender to an armed rebellion without
an effort 10 crush it, would be dcIirqency, alike
condemned by the laws of God aud The reason
OF man. Peu.e on such terms is rot desirable.
Irejoice not in the necessity Of fighting, but
the necessity being upon US, do bless God
that We can appeal TO our own conseiences, to
the moral sense of mankind, and to the seRrcher
o. all hearts, iu respect to the equity OF the
principles for which We contend be-
heve in the righteousness of our cause
10 maintai4 it, as truly as believe in the exis
tence of God. Morally considered, we are not
at liberty to be neutral. Our duty to God as
well as man, binds US to be heartily and practi
cally loyal Completely with treason, in such
struggle, is sin.
Special force is given TO these thoughts wheI
we recoleet that our Government is not des
potic and oppressive but built on the broad
foundation of human rights. The spirit ant
purpose Of the founders of this Government arr
among the most obvious facts OF history. Que
great object Of their laborS, as they expressly
said, was "to secure to ourselves and our pos
terity the blessings of civil and religious liber
ty," that libe rty which recognizes as fuuda
mental idea the fact, 'that all men are created
equal, endowed by their creator with certain 10
alienable rights among which are life, liberty
and the pursuit Of happiness
The true and real life of a nation is the po
litica idea or ideas, upon which it is based
The ideas of our Government are Liberty an
Uaity. Liberty, ss the gift of God to the in
dividuaI man snhiect in civiI societv to thosl