The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1864-12-02

anu action LOT the puoiic Soou. Eof."s'
men can travel all over the country and ieel
eat home'; nor will their consciences Dc
shocked by the sight of that barbarisin which,
under the providence of God, is fast passing
away. In Gods own good time it will cease.
And, once more an united people, with the
apple Of discord removed, party feeling will
die away and only those feelings, based on
legitimate principles. will arise. How much
society will DO improved, how much the
church will feel she has gained when that
renovation is accomplished! In the future
the philanthropists of our nation whose
greater strength has been spent in Efforts to
remove slavery, will turn their attention to
the removal Of lesser evils, lesser because
they are such as pertain TO the individual,
and have not been nationalized by legisla-
ton.
FIRST PARISH CHURCH, sAco.
Rev. j. Ii. Windsor, the pastor, preached
an able discourse from the text, cit is good
thing to give thanks unto the Lord" In
opening the subject he remarked that graft
tude was the economy Of dependent state,
as il is the benefcence Of o dependent love.
Its revelations, whether in the marble or on
the canvas. or in the observance OF seasons
for public thanksgiving, have been and are
the rcdccming features OF nature too natu-
rally selfseeking.
That review Of our mercies which graft.
tude implies is also blessing to the one who
exercises it. Our comforts outnumber our
discomforts. our prosperous hours those OF
our adversitics. To reflect more upon our
mercies and less upon our trials will be q
healthful stimulus to that buoyancy and
chcerfulness OF spirit which are the essentials
OF vigorously efficient life. For the human
er to be imprisoning it in the broodings Of
morbid thinking upon ons's SORROWS, will
pale and waste the growth of every good and
noble purpose Aud yet it is Of nature to
chisel her trials in the rock and to write her
blessings in the sands. Let us to-day reverse
the process, and, learning the worth Of q
clear sky and q gladstone retrospect. allow
our trials to hide themselves in the gloom Of
their own shades, while we walk out into tho
dayspring of thankful recalling of the
goodness of God towards us.
We are urged to such review by theworth
Of its exercise upon him who possesses it
for thus rejecting we inpart vigor, cheer,
decision and steadfastness to our life, while
setting before it q most worthy end, the hon
or Of God and the good Of man.
The day and the occasion are fruitful in
their suggestions Of personal and family bles-
sings that, through year OF more than or.
binary moment and interest, have cheered
our pathways. And not the least of them
are those blessings which have come through
sorrow. For the worth of u mercy is large
ly in its cost at bestowneDt. Grief runs u
deeper furruw through tho heart than joy.
yet we 10, into the ploughing the sunlight
OF thankful spirit WE shall reap harvest
of rich. though concealed blessings.
The day and the hour, however, suggest
reasons for devout thankfulness even than
merely individual services arouse. rs we have
mos, abundant cause for gratitude in view
OF what Gnd has done for our beloved country.
There is n Providence in human affairs.
Our whole history, from its origin to this
present hour, in significantly, no less than
hopefully, Instructive in thisdirection. "Not
by might nor by power but by my word saith
the Lord" This is the record Of all the es.
sentisl movements in our national progress. |
In the hands Of the Lord hath been the henrt
of both ruler and people, and "He has turn |
ed them whithersocver He would" We
bless the Giyer Of all good for the peaceful
victory which 30 recently has re-atfrned the
power and the preciousness OF Christian |
Republic to those who enjoy its high bestow-
ments. This was the Lords d'ings-it was.
il is. marvellous in our eyes. BY it this PEG.
pie have confirmed to themselves and to the
Old World monarchies, the Magma Charta
OF all essential liberty in governments -
Equal rights to all on the basis of being and
moi of condition. The object Of a PATRIOTS
faith and patriots prayer was then promul-
gated throughout the country, its clarion
notes have swept clear and true. high Ger
the clash Of arms and the contest of opin-
ions, wide-now and from henceiorth
Liberty throughout all The Land, 10 all the
inhabitants thereof" We have cause for
Thanksgiving that the will Of the majority
thus peaceably expressed has been rs quietly
acquiesced in By those who have differed in
their opinions. We have reason for grateful
Thanksgiving that he, whom the nation has
replaced in the position Of responsibility and /
involving such momcntous interests, shows
such modesty Of bearing and concilatory
carriage in receiving tho high yet onerous
honor. We have reason to thank God for
all the way OF discipline, trial. and even des
olatiug sorrows by which the people are
steadily and by the headings Of an ovorwatch-
ing and overriding Providence, coming TO- the
acknowledgement OF their sins. their depend
ence, and where their true help and strength
lie.
In so long as nation cherish the cardinal
principles.of equity on the basis Of nature
and not of circumstances, 80 long rs they
recognize the Lord Jehovah in all, and their
obligation to their neishbor as to themselves,
30 long that people cannot be dismembered
or destroyed. We most devoutly thank God
for all these and other and kindred signs of
His favoring Providence in the midst OF 80
fearful 80 uncalled for and 80 desolating
war. May our sorrows lead Us to use them
we'll. The day recalls to us also cause for
gratitude in tho memory Of those who have
left us, beloved aud dear us they ARE, for the
defence of our own and cherished country.
That which recalls to Us the heroes Of our
struggle is not the least Of this days thanks
civings. While We quietly convene for praise
and prayer, they are marching to the fight
and tho death. Theirs is another record.
Theirs the trial, the privations. the suffering.
the long and wasting imprisonment theirs
to die for the principles and the Government.
dearer than life. And what do we not owe
10 such men! How can wo equal in graft
tude such actions? We cannot all toll and
suffer and die Us they. Theirs is the greater
honor, for sweet it 10 and douh!y precious
for .u,h n country 10 die vet Wa can send