Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1865-12-28
THE HAPPY PEOPLE.

"Happy art thou, O Isrea; 'ho is like unto thee, 0
people sved the Lord the shield Of thy help aud who
is the sword Of thy excslency! and thine enemies shall
be found liars un,c thee aud ihoa shall tread upon their
high places" Deut %, %.
We come not to-day to the scene Of bac-
chaaalia revelry aud bitter contention, but
we have assembled under the happy name
of Gods People" at the call Of the Chief
Magistrate Of this nation to return thanks
to Almighty God fer his loving kindness
to his people.
an, we'll aware that many seek for pleas
ure to-day in some rickety bar room, Civ
ing themselves aprey to their carnal 'pe-
tites, without generous emotion in their
bosoms to Almighty God for preserving
their lives, and the life of this great nation
But am glad to meet here with those who
have higher ambition, who are actuated by
q nobler purpose, who are stimulated to the
attainment of more exalted end. For my
own part can truly say, that, never before
in the history Of my life, have | SO deeply
felt the appropriateness, and duty OF return
ing thanks to God.
Fer this reason have been constrained
to use the language Of the text as the toun'
dation Of the remarks that | may make.
boitting the occasion, aud appro-
pirate to the elevation to more exaltel
thoughts of God, His people, and His ma
ton.
The dying often utter interesting and
weiehty truths. Tho expressions of the dy-
ing Christian are particularly ,n,prcssioe aad
al,cnys true The text il the language Of
Moses, who was commanded to ascend Mt.
Nebo and die. His conduct in blessing the
twelve tribes of Israel was net unlike the
conduct of chat great Prophet who prayed
and advised his disciples the evening before
his crucifixion.
In whatever relations we behold the lead
er Of Israel, with but o single exception, he
is the same sublime and majestic character.
Noble by nature, great BY his mission, and
greater still by the manner in which he ac'
complishcd it, he ever maintains his ascend
ency over our feelings, and appears as he is
"a man approved of God +"
The text, then is A TRUTHFUL DEscRIP-
TIoN OF THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL.
l. They pere happy mthed name Israel
Implying prince with God or prevailing
with God" "a chosen people, privileged
with communion with God, prevailing with
God through His servant Moses. e
Their advantage was much every way
chiefly because unto them were committed
the oracles of God, ,"C c-.aa
They ,oere saved people. 90 people
saved by the Lord" Delivered from the
bsndage of Egypt of Divine power--they
were saved from fauine in the wilderness.
He gave Egypt for their ransom," and
threw all their hosts into the Red sea-
They ,cere happy IN being 1iviaely helped
IN ere'y time Of need.
Look at the context THY shoes sha!
be iron and brass, and as thy days so shal
thy strength be-" Chap 5-25, and 5, 26 %
These declarations combined with the tex
imply Dirine protectioa-" Shield Of tn!
held. I" AT the Red Sea, with impsssibl'
. mountains, on the right hand and on TIT
left hand with the turbulent and angl,
waters before them; with the infatuated
hosts Of Egypts King pursuing them, wha
power could protect them bnt the power o
. God! .Aad wha hand coul g'the .trg'lhe
the cloud that shielded them from the il
tensest rays Of tropical sun Nay, more
what greater power could kiudle in ths
cloud the light of the blazing fiery pila
while the tread Of the mighty multitude a
most skook the earth following Its course
IT WAS THE HELP OF lsRAELs GoDl
: And when Moses stood on I" Shakiu
Sinai, his guard the thunder. and his We
tpre the lightning, and talked with II
4 Eternal as friend talketh with friend
can doubt his Divine helpl ) But zoe fin
also Divine Providence exercised in their b.
halE - .i''
!, q, Ia the presence Of Phsrosh. y the sSi
in, mama, in the Brsyep Serpent, In II