The Portland daily press., 1863-07-11
Saturday Morning. July ii, 1868.
OUR NATIONAL BIRTHDAY
A Discourse delivered at Park St. Church,
BY REV. J. f. LOWERING,
July 5th, 1868.
July 9Th, 1868.

ID nLIt. ~. Ivy Ghlnd,
July 5th, 1868.
Daniel XII. |. There shall be time oftroubIe such
never was since there was a nation even to that
same time; and al that time thy people shall be de-
lvered.
Yesterday was the jubilee of our nation.
The solemn tones of wars great organs.
and the mrthful glec of happy childhood; the
measured cadence of martial aud patriotic
strains and the thrilling eloquence of loyal
speech smile, the cheer, the cheerful memory
and the present exalted trust were Joined in
orchestral unison, as magnificent unit, in
honorable aud inspriting rejoicing. Such
theme therefore as this:
OUR NATIONAL BIRTHDAY, or THE EN-
CoURAGEMENTs TO BE HARVESTED FROM
THE PAST: THE ELEMENTS OF STRENGTH
AND HOPE PROMINENT IN THE PRESENT, OF
OUR coUNTRY,-lnay rightly arrest our atten-
tion, on day Immediately succeeding an an
nlyersary, our patriotism delights to COM
memorate.
Indeed, there is strong propriety in with
drawal OF ourselves from immediate and en-
crossing cares, and in a concentration of
mind upon such subject and especially upon
such a day. As Christian men and women.
whose eyes are strained heavenward to catch
the first glorious CLEAN of promise spanning
the heavens, now overshadowed by the clouds
OF fratricidal war; !; as Christian men aud women
Through the ages an inereasi Z purpose runs,
And the thoughts OF men arc wideDed by the process
OF the suns,"-
resting on the sure announcement of nm
doubted revelation that God Is over all and
In all that the majesty OF His truth is se-
cure, and, however soiled by human misap-
prehenson and sinfainess, shall rise pure aud
victorious into the clean noonday-it Is en-
inently proper, amid the stress OF danger and
threat, that We should recount His COOL PROV
idence 10 our nation in its past, that We should
examine the constitution OF existing Affairs, 70
assure ourselves OF HIS presence with us now.
Nor i IL necessary in order 10 attain this pur-
pose, Tor "a To Particuiarixe details or multi
ply sePerate instances-thc purpose Is secured.
~ ioliosing tho nsain lines ~ The divine ar
ganent Indicated in the general course OF
events.
And besides, As men aud women. citizens Of
great republic, possessed of a Thorough
conviction ~ tae dignity, the uprighiness, And
though distracted by var, The prosperity OF
our country; Inea aad women keeuly
alive 10 the good llsnc Of our laihers, and
ssorn BY every high and holy feeling pant
ing within "a 10 be loyal 70 our Country,
cause, Il l. Preemiaenuy fitting Tor u., under
The eonsecration ol a Cafisiian service, 20 re-
liesh oar memories, 10 encourage our enthu-
siasm aud eieetify our conxictIons
What GLORIOUS recoTd ~ this For eighty
seven years the Anniversary of our National
birthday has beea celebrated by the acclaim
Of all loyal irced0n-l0ylng hearts. Win adj
inifation and gratitude we have confessed the
wsichini providence Of God, aud rejoieed in
the growing success OF those principles, which.
springing irosn human nature, exalt that na-
tare into illustriogs consideration. We have
watched, with ever Increasing delight, the
steady advance OF oAf power, the constant i'm
profcmcnt OF our Internal resources the ran
~ and satisfactory spread OF our national in
nuenee, among foreign peoples. Even the in-
alhefent aud ihoughiless have found IL impos-
sloie TO deny our enlarging prosperity poiti-
cai and social. PROM thirteen states we have
wihened into thirty-Gye.s With almost NAL
thusian rapidly, our population has increased
from about two millions In l716 TO more than
thirty millions In 1868. The far West waves
with the golden harsests Of abundant corn.
our streams are sources OF Imperial wealth.
our commerce whitens the most distant seas
the electric pulse OF the farthest East, is felt
upon the shores Of California, whose sands re-
meet the radiance Of many sunsets. and among
the nations of the Earth our beloved country
holds foremost rank. And not only in mate
rial resources, but In industrial. scientific. and
literary arts, we are honorable. Such facts have
haiowed each recurring anniversary of our
natal day. We have delighted to honor il, and
have prayed that we might cherish in hon.
est hearts, and protect with unstained hands.
the heritage oil our fathers, and transmit il to
the next generation, Its honor untarnished,
and its promise fair. To-day the black horror
of rebellion shadows us. A weight OF care
and duty bears us down. Let this fact. how
ever oe distinctly apprehended, that bows what
.ser oe The underlying motions of the rebel
non, the brave aud loyal attitude OF the ma
tioh towards that rebellion is by no means
snoserslse Of the time honored institutions or
lhe radicai principles OF our nationality. This
no resoiuuion, We are not seeking to over
.uiIi out 70 estanhsh. The object OF our con-
OF our Government as originate tramad
Side issues we would have nothing to do ,,;,h
The main-if indeed it be not the only mr.
pose for which We consent to accept the terri.
bic arbitrament of war, is this, namely. ne
defense dad security Of the constitutional
rights teqnedthed us by our sires.
10 them indeed--to our ancestors, we look
ior encouragement. In the strain of these
oays we gain resolution and strength BY the
rehearsal OF what has been DONE Ours is a diff
iereht, out not more difficult task. Surely IL
10 essier 10 protect, than to create Easier To
" aeN"u 'ne stout grown tree from the
tempest, inan TO vivify the germ which gives
tne Tree. ihe monuments OF our country are
an an new. tne records unstained by many years.
,he seo.cai associations ofour national birth
day are distinct. instructive. eloapeut cIsnn-
ing back from the elevated plain Of onr nra"an,
It must be with high astonishment ihat we
behold, how from such humble. and comnar;,
lively insignificant beginnings, SO momen,ams !.
result has been secured. The holy IDEAS ot in
erty and equality, fraternity aud right. born N
God within noble hearts and cherished tbarc
with determined patriotism, TIL their spirit had
leasened the people TO the concentration of an
-
'west Virginia the tbirty-afth.