, 1863-11-28


Rev. Dr.. Patterson preached Thanksgiving ser
mon before large congregation. His text was
Pealm CXXV1th, SO. 1.-THE Lord bath done
Tu@ sgsiD our eapsiSify. Q Lord & 'se streams
sThey Tint SOW in tears ehall reap in Joy.
.'He that gosth forth and weepeth. bearing prec-
ioos sesd sha doubtless cope sg sga1n With rejotc
Dr. Patterson said the present occasion Of thanks
giving presents come extraordinary features.
Never before, he believed, had our whole nation
been called upon by the Chief Magistrate Of the
country to observe such day as this. And never
has the constituted head OF our nation or con-
monwealth proclaimed in terms more fitting, or In
the uttetance Of sentiments better becoming .
Christian nagftrate. Il should Of itself call forth
our hearty gratitude to the God Of nations that he
has providenta1ly placed at the helm Of our public
affairs man who is not ashamed to acknowledge
TINT ali good to the individual and the country
alike comes down from the Father Of light with
whom thele is no yaziableuess neither shadow Of
This il emphatieany national observance. To-
day millions Of people are uniting In this most
thpopaSRt ansuitssie 10 The lime cal yepp sen
ton 10 come OF these aspects OF our national ex-
pe1ienee and prospects which a.e suggssted by the
The Psalm rom which our texts taken WAS orig
inaly designed to express the views and feelings
| OF the Hebrew nation when they were returning
to o. q Co.'S
dealings with them But their deliverance was not
ye completed, and they found therefore, in their
to Cod for tie fal accomplishment Of his promises
to the1n and for humble and hopeful waiting on the
Lord in the discharge OF duty, however trying and
The circumstances Of the Hebrew people With ours,
we ehal discover, think, an Interesting tlustEa-
tion Of the Apostles declaration. that whatsoever
things were written aforetme, were written for ouI
learning TINT We through faith and comfort Of the
Scriptures, might have hope.
o1d hnr ior q IS ss peop
Al Thanksgiving This inquiry We shan eadeavos
hato1y tbat SEEM & hare 1pe beal1g on our
preeent condition and prospects.
i. need only refer. In word, to our carly c1pc-
tried the souls Of onr fs,hers during the long strg
gle for freedom and Independence, And after our
Independence wHs achieved, Tho docs not see that
tional Jealousy and conflicting ideas, II a good
Providence had not balanced the errors and eeldsh
Of hs es ss9 s as to I,s h sh
all the States, under the most wisely constructed
Constitution ever framed for the government Of nny
naas a. 5
10 tolerate slavery. But whateyer may be aaid of
their motives OF forecast In relation to this matter
It is evident that God meant for good the result ut
:. We f1nd another occasion for Thanksgiving
In the came connection, when we look at the man-
cr the nee and loyal majority Of our people, and
multiplied their resources and means Of perpetu-
ating cur nationality and constitutional supremacy
in the great political crisis through which We arc
3. Then how wonderfully has God dealt with US
ever eioce the beginning Of this war Il was se
TO the election Of our President according to the
requirements Of the Constitution; and the success
tn party In the election held control only Of the
of fha
the rebellion was iuaugursted; so that the leaders
In the reasonable movement were compelled to
1vow tneir determination not to submit to the will
the " wn beeane clearly favorable to The restfice
ton Of slavery within the limits assigned to 1t BY
The founders of the GoTernment; Il may be thought
Seliion shonid have obtained 50 many advantages
In advnnce. But WAS 1t not well, a. the cdsismus
come at some time, that It should occur when It
dc!slep ii he msignity W Of the disease, and com.
gsl the Government rent to apply the only edeetual
e ae q sae
ioresta1l his terrible ravages for the inture.
And We are not to forget how the same Provi-
nss @ rs say 1nR far S4gha 50
las caused the work Of emancipation to keep pace
with the progress Of our arms. Not only has pub
% a2s bgyksnp but
more than q quarter Of million OF elaves;
Two border States have adopted systems Of eman-
eipation; tMo Others haye M sgniaed their readiness
ligence comes to Us daiy from almost every part Of
Tie South, that the friends Of the Union there are
$ $toet6eS aa an + e bga 1Gn e 1a I'd
u. But this is day Of prayer as well az thanlzs-
giving. For the great crisis Of our nation is not
lie ndivtdusl alike, be does he N more surely when
lie is enqnired Of BY bis woEshppezs to confer the
dcsired blessings upon them. Let Us remember IN
these tniied States: our beloved country; let
us remember the commanders Of our armies, and
Cur sefsac1ifcing soldiers who hare consented to
cfer themselves on the countrys altar. Nay, let
not forget our enemies, who h1ge 80 causclessly
asr1yed themselves against the best dovoEnmcnt
III But is It enough that We should offer up our
tribute Of gratitude and praise for the great things
which tho Lord has done 70 Us, with humble and
n on4 70 Se
cone by the loyal people Of this nationf They
That sow in tears ehan reep in Joy. he that goeth
Ing out he eeed 10 scatter II, shall doubsss retan
sgain, bringing his sheaves with him: The work
q sowing seed must be continued with diligence |
gathered. Our sowing is TO be done by standing
esn1ne9t making II nsedlal sasriaees q Issour
deienes q our M sishieous s eaase. e sNSsf Nos IL
Us mistake in regard 70 the. temper and
sSaseRs one f. on gcs Eha & @ & &S0TnE hEis f to Be
bondage Egypt and the trials of lie Wilderness,
before their entrance into the promised land II |
was 30 With our fathers during the dark NIGHT Of
the Revolution. We must be deeply humbled be. |
fore the day Of our enduring Joy shnll dawn upon
US. Our tears are made to TOW like river bY fhe
loss Of nearly two hundred thousand OF our brave
sons and brothers. And now, II we add the tears |
Of unfeigned penltence On account OF our national
md individual sins TO the tea1s OF our own sympa-
Thy and grief because Of personal beresyements;
and II VIC do our duty 10 cur AFFLICTED soldiers and
can count the sbeayes that will be joyfuliy eath-
cred in duo time from this eoHowfm aowingf
Let us take courage In the midst Of our sorrows,
and look BY fah through the tears of the storm to
the calm sunshlne beyond tho clouds. Let IA To-
dsy consecsate ourselves anew to the service ofour