Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1865-12-09

Psalns 90 Il. "Ofcr unto God THANKSGIVING"
We have come together to-day. in obedience to
the proclamation of the President Of the United
States backed by the proclamation of the Gov
ernor of Tennessee, to offer unto God thanksgiving
for our manifold blessings and mercies. In no
way can the deep fountains of the soul be broken
up. and flow forth in gratitude to an earthly bene
factor, more easily than by some act of kindness,
or when the voice Of sympathy soothes the anx-
ious troubled spirit. Our nature Is such that
sympathy shown US in misfortune opens up the
hottest places of the heart. The breath of love
is always laden with returning odors of sweetness;
each smile of encouragement, or of JOY from
another, doepcns the emotion that comes gushing
up from own hearts. If such be the feelings
prompted by the generous actions of an earthly
friend. whether in word or deed should not our
Heavenly relationship call forth still more deep
and hallowed acknowledgements for meTcies
cciyed, and gifts so bOuntcOusy bestowed by
divine Fathers love. Although there have been
many blightcd hopes. sad hearts, and dcsOlate
homes during the year. although, when the house
hold gathers around the Thanksgiving table, there
will be many silent tear dropped over vacant
chairs: although there have been many calamites
which have fallen with crushing weight upon
families and communities, yet, collectively con-
sidcred, we have much for which TO Offer unto
day and night, sccdtimc and harvest, have not
been interrupted. Spring opened upon in all its
beauty. with its balmy air, its blooming flowers,
and singing birds; then 1t melted into summer,
with starry nights and golden harvests; now au-
tumn's bracing breeze inyigOratcs the body, while
it, gathered stores make glad the heart; and we
have in prospect pleasant and happy winter.
Our citizens have enjoyed general health no cpl
dcnic has thrown the dark shadow Of death over
our city, or brought bitter sorrow and dcsOlation
into our homes. The noise of war is heard no
moro the clash of arms IS hushed; the carnage
of the battlefield has ceased. Peace is once more
our gOOdy heritage, and We see no longer our
brothers garments rolled in blood. The sword has
been turned into the ploughshare, and the spear
into She pruning hook. Tho soldier of yesterday
is now the citizen Of to-day, engaged in CONNER
cin and professional life, in the pursuits Of art
science, education or in the honest tlling of the
soil. We are again worshippng Goo under our
own vine aud fig tree, in the language first lisped
around our mothers knee.
The spirit Of God has been moving upon the
conscience and stirring the hearts of multitndcs,
especially in this Commonwealth until they have
earnestly cried out; Men and brethren, what
must we do to bc sayedI' Thus, many have
turned from the error of their ways; they have
been born into the kingdom of God. All these
blessings have crowned our lives; surely then we
should heartily offer, from our hearts, thanksgiy-
ing unto God within his courts:
Thanksgiving is a service which has always had
q place among the children of men. In the grey
dawn of time il was part of the divine worship of
Cain and Abel, when, before n visible altar, the
fruit of the ground and the frstlings of the flock
were the offering WHICH they presented unto
tho Lord. Attcrward, whchahe Church had Wis
ihlo organization, the hank-oticring was by di-
vine appointment; itiormcd part of erwoTship,
and was embraced in the religious services of the
tabernacle. This was evidently the case IN the
time of David; for The book of Psalms represents
him singing, in strains OF soitcst and sweetest
melody, the. praise Of God for deliveTancc from
Thee. when the old dispcnSaton had run ITS
course when its moonlight was Frightening into
the spleudor of the Gospel day shepherds on the
plains of Bethlehem united the chorus of their
voices, and ushcred II IN with the song OF thanks
giving So now, in the Christian church, all the
ordinances and privileges which are So precious To
the believing heart afford grounds for continual
thanksgiving. Neither does this blessed glorious
work stop here; for, when the soldier of the cross
has fought the good fight of faith and gained the
final victory; when his feet walk the golden streets,
and he stands before the eternal Throne pouring
forth the gratitude Of his hearth lofty aspirations
of praise unto the Lamb that was SIAM he will re,
ceiyc power, wisdom strength, honor, glory and
This THANKSGIVING is an old service in the
Chulrh of Con: and IL will forever constitute the
key note in the song Of the ransomcd around the
everlasting Throne IL Is by n9.means new ser
vice in the State. st. Paul says, There is no
power but of Con; the powers that be are ordain-
Cd of Con" lRomans. l3: L. This being SO, civil
government is an ordinance ofGoD. i has, snys
q departed divine, referring TO tins subject,
i" a moral character, moral responsibility. Civil
government Is a creation Of God, with destiny
dependent upon its moral character. The only
difference between Gods dealings with govern
mcnts and nations and his dealings with IN
diyiduals is this, that as governments only have
existence in this world they have all their exist
cuce and punishment here, while individuals are
finally judged and punished in the world TO come.
it'll this difference in existence ard punishment,
both are equal in moral responsibility that Is, ae-
countable and are punished OF blessed according
90 their charSotcrs.' The destiny Of civil govern
mcnt depends upon Its moral churacterlusta as iu-
M rs IRE NcNlltA OF an lilttlN lAhhl ny
God, kings reign and princes dccrceJuStlcc. nc
puttcth down one and setteth up another; whist
thc.thurch Is ever under the guardian watch care
and protection Of its covenant tod, ana therefore
safe from destruction. IL is equally true, aS the
record Of history proves that the character ana
destiny Of a STATE depend greatly upon INC moral
influence Of the Church. Where are those govern
mcnts that slew the prophets. mariyred the
saints, wagcd an cNtcrminating crusade against
the Church Of Godg Where is that nation
which eliminated in wckedncssl and cruel
hci with cruel hands the Son of God An
swer comes back to Us, I" To tnlhl proPhesE'
God has scattered and wasted that nation. Those
that honor him he will honor, and those that dcs
pisc him shall he lightly esteemed. His hand Will
be against the people who acknowledge HIM not.
Hence Y Is Appropriate that tho state which IL
but a creature Of God should offer thanksgiving.
THIS service has always had place in the hearts
OF the American people The first thankseiNins
continent, took place IN jamestown, Va. in May
l6lO. Immediately on the arrival Of Lord Dela-
ware, She first man who bore the tide Of eover-
nor Ia Va with supply Of provisions and three
hundred men that came with him. he fell on his /
knees, n Paul did on the sea shore, and in pres
prayer Before he exhibited his credentials he |
attended church, and Thanksgiving Sermon was |
preached
The hrst Thanksgiving day mentioned in the 1
history Of the PILGRIMS occurred in December. l
lbl. Edward Ninslow writes OF IL 90 a friend in |
England: Amer harvest, GOV. Bradford sent |
foar men a iOwling 50 that he might offer thanks
giving, after special manner after We had gath /
cred the fruit Of our lahors. Those men cot as /
much fowl supported the company nearly a /
weck It's true that the PILGRIMS offered thank |
giving 10 their Prcserrcr immediately On landing;
but thoy could no; thank God for the fruits Of the /
Garth ies they had none 10 gather in. But in the 1
above record Il l. especially mentioned that the /
festival was g'ior harvest that Il was by appoint
mont Of the Governor, and that this appointment |
after spcsial manner. The day has been 4
generally perhaps always. observed ever since /
Goncral " Washington who had Just been appointed /
iIeslaS' q ,no snireea nltel slates appolnted
their extent, This was perhaps the first nafioHal 4