The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1864-12-01
THANKSGIVING Day.

our exchanges, was very generally ooser'-
ed all over the loyal portions of our coun-
try. The churches were opened, and a
grateful people cheerfully assembled to
return thanks to Almighty God for the
many kindnesscs he has shown us-tor
health and prosperity to our people, tor
abundant harvests, for victory to our arms
and for cheering progress towards the
suppression of rebellion and the restora-
tion of peace.
In Stroudsburg, the day was observed
by the closing of places of business and
by morning service in the several church
es. These services we're well attended
and the audience in each was served by
the pastor with an able, eloquent and pa
triotic discourse on the reasons for our
thankfulness, and our duty as good citi-
citizens. In the Presbyterian Church the
Pastor. the Rev. B. S. Everitt, after read
| ing the Presidents and Governors Proc
lamations, preached thoroughly patriotic
(not POLITICAL sermon, from the text:
"And, at midnight, Paul and Sias prayed
and sang praises unto God. Acts, xvi %.
The speaker said, these disciples of
Christ were seized by certain men "who
saw" that by the disciples efforts, "the
hope of their gains was gone" and being
beaten were cast into the inner prison. and
bound in the stocks. Behold there in all
their suffering and trial, they find reasons
for praise. Their condition and service
illustrates ours as nation to-day. We
are in affliction, because certain men have
found the hope Of their gains was gone,
yet we too can find great reasons for
praise lie then glanced at the dark side
of the war, and referred to the dead who
had nobly fallen in their country's de-
fence. although fallen by traitor hands
their hearts" These days of trial have
been dark, but they have made heroes, just
such heroes as only can be born by the
throes Of nations anguish" In all sea
sons of darkness there are some CLEANS Of
light. In every trial there are some ale
viatious. Let US to-day look for the eau
sss for thanksgiving to be found even
amid storm and darkness The speaker
then enumerated some of these:
1st The abundant crops-"thus assu-
ring US that, for another year at least,
gaunt famine cannot join with savage war
in the work of devastation and death"
2nd. The high prices realized every
where for these crops. These with the
successful results in every branch of trade
leave no just ground for producers or ira
ders to be ever crying out, "hard times y
Men on ordinary salaries or wages must
feel the pressure very much, but all 9TH
ers should to-day thank God that He has
given them extraordinary returns where
with to meet extraordinary demands.
3rd Our continued security, in our
great struggle, against the Intervention or
interference of other nations.
4th. The wonderful resources of men s
inventive genius, munitions of war and
money that our struggle has developed
and brought to use.
5th. The great victories which" as
says the Presidents proclamation, "God
has vouchsafed to us over the enemy who
r is of our own household" Under this
the preacher sketched the progress of the
war; showed that it had ever been adyan-
cling; and though there had been dark
6 hours and defeats, yet the darkest SO far
have passed, and "the good cause has
been going on and on to certain and COM
plete, even though it may be to delayed,
victory" He then showed that we should
praise God for these results, because ,oar
may be right, as proven abundantly by
Gods Word: because this war was ne
n cessity. He asked: SIS there any posi-
bility of those in rebellion against this 60
vernment being subdued and governed
other than by the sword? Talk to them
of compromise, and they laugh you to
scorn. Speak of peace, and they only cry
out independence. Think Of two sepe-
rate and Independent governments in this
country, and myriad present embarrass-
ments appear, while the future is fully sur
charged with inccssant conflicts, blood
shed, wasting and ruin. The only thing,
then, is the suppression of the rebellion
by the sword. No hope beside for Con-
stitntional liberty-no hope else for A
merican nationality-no other encourage
ment for Republican principles as opposed
| to Monarchical. Because. then. the war