The West Virginia journal. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1864-1877, 1865-12-20

shall pc laid IN the la@liy vault. "nlthel
werhay repair, and, ih1solitudejfofftr our
prayers to the great :Disposes6f human
eveqts. Again, we say, thaI6ur warmest
gratitude is/duo TO thatsBessed Being
who hastorduined peace for u.s."
But wd arc apt to attribute this incsti'
mube blessing to the arm Of flesh We
are apt TO be forgetful Of the manifold
mercies of our heavenly Father. even
when VIC are assure that It's lie that
has gotten US the victory" We would
not undcrrate the valuable service Of our
men and officers 10 the late struggle.
Their praise is in oil lands, and their
noble deeds can never perish. True to
themselves aud their country, they not
only planned. but carried out those
plans iu the perfect and complete over
throw Of treason and rebellion, and to.
day their names arc as continent
pourcd forth" We repeat that the
names of such men as Grant, Sherman,
Sheridan, Thomas. and host Of others,
will live in the history Of this country.
and in the warmcst affections Of grIte.
full people, until the close Of time. De.
voted men to their country. may they be
as true to the interests Of their precious
souls
But the men, too, who went st their
bidding, deserve the uudyins praise Of
every loyal man. He who could 20 out
to do battle for his country for the paltry
sum of sixteen dollars per month, who
could subject himself to soldiers fare,
who could lie in prison, forsaken and
starved and all without murmur, that
man is cutitled to praise and love in an
eminent degree. At o political demon.
stratiou in Washington County, O., few
years ago, there boppened to be present
an old Revolutionary soldier-ono who
had stood by Washington in the thlckest
Of the battle. lie vas brought forward
and placed upon tho stand, where he
was honorcd by the entire assembly.
The time will come in the history Of this
nation, when postcrity yet unborn will
reverence the name and the presence Of
those who defended the Union Of these
States when that Union was threatened
with ruin. Praise them to whom
praise, and honor to whom homer is due"
BE it 80 it is right and commendable.
But | ask, in time Of great peril and
danger, in whom did this Nation trust ?
Was it to the wisdom Of men? Was it
to the arm Of flesh "There were they
in fear. where 10 fear was for God
hath scattered the bones Of them that
encampcth against thee; thou hast put
them TO shame. because God hath de-
spiscd them" How often was this the
experience Of our Doble army, and even
Of the Nation. {" Fear took bold upon
us" at times, aud We were ready to ask
e" Has God forgotten to be. gracious
Is his mercy clean gone forever !?
This fear, my brethren, grew out oC the
fact that our sulGcicucy was in G3d-.
that be must no. only give wisdom aud
strength, but that " Ills right hand and
holy arm" must get the victory ior Us
! And this was the proper view Of the sub
ject then. and is at the present. " At
thy rebuke, y Gud Of Jacob, both the
horse and the chariot stands still V
Have our enemies becR put to shame ?
It is " because God huth despiscd them. "
Has the din OF war been hushed
lis God that " stillest the noise Of their
waves aud the tumults of the people. y
Is the honor Of this Government main
taincd? 1t is because God " hath not
permitted our foes to rejoice over US. V
Does our mountain stand strong ut this
momcut? Are NO ready to meet any
foreign foe, and prepared to defend our.
selves? 1t is BY the favor Of the Infinite
One. Therefore, Sing Of the mercics
Of the Lord forever" and make known
his faithfulncss TO all generations. 20
come let US sing unto the Lord let Us
make n joyful noise unto the Rock Of
our Salvation. Let US couc before His
presence with Thanksgiving, and make a
| Joyful noise unto Him with psalms, for
the Lord is q great Cod. aud King
above all Gods. 10 Ills hand are tn"
deep places Of the earth D.; the strength
| or Inc NILS Is i4lS a'oo' <A' "" ""'
aad all We enjoy this day, in the brIsh.
sunshine Of peace, is ATTRIBUTABLE 20 thc
great Being, above, .:.. ..
And asaia. VIC say, "Sing unto God
&c Kingdoms ofthc e'rth, 0 sing praises
unto the Lord to Him that rdeth upon
the heaven Of heavens, which were OF
old. Lo, lie doth send out MS voice,
and that a mighty voice. A<cT!be "
strength unto God His celleoey is
over Israel, and His strength is in the
clouds. o God, thou ort terrible out Of
thy holy places the God Of Israel is lie
! that siscth strength and power unto His
people. -. =. .....i. ...:.. E. -.
lie. us not dare, then, to take
the glory to ourselves, but let us thus
humbIy confess our indebtedness to the
Supreme Ruler above for the great bless.
ing Of peace ; and let us try to use tbIs
blessing so as not to abuse it. II God
has SO loved US, surely We ought TO love
one another. IF God has forgiven Us
our trespassea. VIC ought to forgive those
who have trespas.cl against US. We do
not mean BY this that ne are'to justify
tho vickel act Of rebellion 10 anyway.