The Portland daily press., 1865-12-07
Thursday Morning, Dec. 2, 1859.
The Brimminp Cup,
PORTLAND.

Among the many beautiful and appropriate
customs which had their origin in the pro-
foundry religious spirit of the early New Eng
land colonists, none is more appropriate or
beautiful, none is more deeply rooted in the
reverence and affection of the popular heart
than that of the annual Thanksgiving. A
usage originally confined to one or two colo
MES, long limited in its observance to the
States of New England, it has gradually ex-
tended itself until we find it not only adopted
by large proportion of the individual states,
but assuming the character of rational tes-
tival, and recognized as such by the official
proclamation of the President OF the Repub-
Lie. And, indeed, what observance can be
more fitting-what more becoming in a great
nation than this? When the season of effort
and of toll, of heat and excitement is passed,
and the period of rest, of reflection and of en-
joyment begins, when we sit crowned with
the rich blessings of the bounteous year,
what act so well becomes us as to bend IN Ter
vent thanksgiving to that divine Giver from
whose Astounding love all our joys and bless
ings flow?
But the year which is now gliding rapidly
and serenely to its close has been, through all
its course, so rich in blessings to us as nation,
that we must be dull and hard Of heart in
deed, if we do not fell like acknowledging with
even more than usual fervor of gratitude, our
Indebtedness 10 God for His great goodness.
Its opening months witnessed the successful
accomplishment of those brilliant military
movements which were to cut the "Confeder-
acy" in twain, and pave the way for the fall of
its capital; and they were still further signal
lied by the passage of that glorious Amend
ment to the Constitution, now, thank God by
the ratification of three-fourths of the states,
become part of the fundamental law of the
land. FlF ~ - II /
1t was in the pleasant spring days of the
present year that the splendor of victory and
the glad dawn of peace broke over our weary
and war-worn land. The summer, too, which
has lust passed in such unusual glory and
beauty, was looked forward to by many with
anxious forebodings on account of the finan-
cial dangers which were believed to be immi-
nent. But the months have glided on; the
glowing summer faded, the mellow autumn
came and went, and now the winter is here,
but financial ruin has not come; and even the
most nervous and timid have well nigh grown
tired of predicting its advent The path of
the future is beset by some difficulties and by
some dangers also, but they are such as may
be foreseen, and by care and prudence, and
the blessing OF Heaven on our efforts, averted.
And when to these inestimable blessings
which the year has brought, we add those of
the bountiful harvest whose fruits we now en-
Joy, we must surely all feel that the cup
which our Father has filled for us overlows
with good things. Can we then do otherwise
than blend with our deep and fervent thanks
giving to the bounteous Father an earnest
prayer that He viii aid us in all the coming
years to cultivate in ourselves, as individuals,
those sentiments Of brotherhood and Chris
tian love, and to maintain in our conduct as
a nation those eternal principles of justice and
right which can alone make us worthy to hope
for His continued mercy and favor? And
as we gather to-day, around the festal board to
enjoy its pleasures with those whom the re-
turn of peace has restored to our arms, shall
we not consecrate ourselves anew, in vow of
deeper and more earnest devotion to the SER
vice of humanity, and to the advancement of
His cause who "went about doing good?" =