The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1866-12-01
@sa @ PORTLAND, MORNING DECEMBER Il 1865


both morning and afternoon, which were truly
prayers Of tllhnksgiving for all the mercies
youchsafed TO our land, and for the special mer-
cies bestowed qpoIt that church. The results
Of the recent Elections were themes also for
thanks to Almighty God. the evening
Capt Dutton, Of Bntish Steamship Hibernian,
delivered @ discourse, which was listened to
with great interest. IS 3s ~. l .iSi III 4.
.sL H1dH saRRRT CHURCH.. FL, d.
Six congregations ,worshipped here = the
State Street Congfegationalists, Free Street
Beptist Onion Cong regatienalist, Second and
Third Parishes. This church was greatly
crowded, AIR. Fenn took ii Kings7.9. "Then
they said one to another, we do not we'll This
day adayof good tidings, and we hold our
peace" I. ,,~- .a5sdrgli s
The speaker opened his discourse with the
special and local reasons Of Thanksgiving,
State. city, church and family. The Puritan
felt, however, that the day would degenerate in
to forms and haekn8yed repetition of similar
events y 4 were conhned to our own munich
pal hofi5p; We must grasp the lessons OF
Gods Presidencs In the nation at large, and
make earliest and PRACTICAL acknowledgement Of
the same -
a Our chief copgratulation to-day is upon the
intelligence and probity of our people. They
understand themselves and the problem of the
hour. Their verdict upon the issue between
Congress and Exeoutivsis explicit. They have
won the fight, and aresnot to be trifed with
If our first duty is toward the Southern States,
and e1firss suestionbetheir conoiliation, then
is Mr. Beecher right and his letter unanswer-
able ~
The people, however, conceive that their first
duty y to themselves. The public faith is
pledged to tllebiack soldier and cannot be brok-
J EN-. The eountry must receive the highest guar
antees OF future security. These guarantees
are still wanting. The action of the Southern
legislatures has not been ratified by the peo-
pie Of their several States. o.I5.l 13sa IL,
y The speaker adduced many historical paral-
lels to prove ths value Of singleness and con-
tinuity Of purpose in this direction, and that
beyond removing the temptations of future dis
tractiveness and sectionalism, we could only
: trust to large and wide-sweeping causes for
harmony.
Time, interest, intercourse will solve mist
While wesRre 70 be determined as to our duty,
he urged maenanimity and charity.
Cd ! cHEsrNUT M f. CHURCH. s-
At the Chestnut Street Methodist Church, q
sermon was preached by Rev. DIR. Smaller, from
Psalms So. 6 "God setteth he solitary IN tanai.
lies" i.#9st
After an appropriate introduction, showing
that man was created social being and craved
conlpanionship with others, it was remarked
that provision had been made to meet his
wants in this respect. The domestic rela.
tion was established, and God who said " it il
not good for man to be alone" set the solitary
In families. Hence it was remarked =
. 1st That the family relation was institu
tuted by God. In illustrating this proposition
1t was shown shat 1t was God who fitted
man for this relationship Providence
directed in its formation, and His word sane
toned and guarded 1t, so that its highest ad
,vantages and blessings might be secured. 1t wal
under the teaching of His truth that a Chris
tian home became SO sweet and was the abode
of purity and peace.
I'd Some of the countless benefits resulting
to man from the family relation were consider
ed. These begin with our earliest infancy and
are continued Though every ssage oi life Herr
principles are inculcated- instructions given
habits formed = sympathies awakened love
cherished which lead to the development o.
mans truest nature. 90 ..e es
Sd 1t was remarked that we found in ths
blessedness of the family relation much tt
awaken our gratitude and call forth thankgiv
ing 1t was day when the domestic festivi
ties were joyous to us all, when parents and
children and grandchildren assemble to partakt
Of the bounties of Providence, and realize how
sacred and sweet are the bonds of the family
relation. No other day in the year is SO hal
lowed in this respect, and it is meet that will
thankfulness of hearts, we should on this day
offer praise to the Author of all Mercies, fol-
thus setting the solitary in families.
This is but brief outline of discourst
which was listened to with attention, and it il
hoped with profit. re{TA Assa., aEses..s
The attendance at the churches was gener
ally respectable and at High street ever
crowded. - rAss1 AAtL ~
The city was very orderly throughout the
day and evening. The theatre was throngei
and the ball at Mechanics Hall was largely
attended. gs5W Il