Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1866-12-12

The great rebellion ended IS any IN
telligent believer in divine Sovereign
ty in human affairs would have expec-
ted. The government He had so
manifestly established in this Wes-
tern world, that rested on principles
more nearly in accordance with the
charities, as well as the justice Of the
divine law, than any other, was severe
" chastened for its Inconsistencies and
its sins, and yet it was preserved; and
the system of slavery that had been
fostered in it until every deYout pa
triot trembled when he remembered
that God was Just, was destroyed
Heavy as have been the sacrifices of
treasure and of more precious blood,
we now feel, and advancing time shall
more clearly assure the generations to
come, that the sacrifice has not been
In vain. Our brothers, and fathers,
and sons have died for a good purpose.
They have been the human agents of
that beneicent Divine Sovereignty
that, in wrath remembering mercy,
has made them the saviors of abe best
government the world has ever known;
delivering it from the only serious OBJ
stacle to future ofgreatness, and pow
er, and glory, that shall make real the
highest aspirations of chisrtian patri-
OTIS.
know that our danger is not yet
wholly past, that good men fear, and
bad men hope, that state craft will
substantially restore what the war has
Iask-oroI PIT III .so,,- ora ,,oE v-o,f
ing now, as they haye not been
through all, that God, in his Sover-
eighty will accomplish His purposes by
the extravaganza even and obstinacy
of the enemies who set themselves in
opposition. He who has destroyed hu-
man slavery will root out its inequali-
ties, and give US, fully believe, a re-
generated country, such as our fathers
planned, when in weakness, but in
faith, they laid its foundations. Ma
king sure that we are on the side oI
truth, and liberty, and righteousness
we may rejoice, not so much in policy
in majorities, in power, as in the fact
that the Lord reigneth, that Heis with
us and will prevail.
''The Lord reigneth !" Let US rejoic'
to-day, that there is a power above u
-benefcent and wise-that shall make
all things work together for the accom-
plishment Of His purposes that h'
who sitteth upon his throne in the
heavens will bless and prosper the
right, and in the end promote his OWE
glory by establishing peace, and iber
ty, and purity, among men. Oul
wisdom is often times folly ;-oul
strength only weakness,-but he whS
reigns over all is infinite in knoWledg,
and almighty in power,-above thu
clouds, however dark they may be, the
sun shines in serene brightness, ,-Je
hoEah holds the lightenings of human
passions in His own hands,-He con
trolls all the elements we dread, snC
we may rejoice in the assurance. Il
due time the clouds shall break ava,
and disperse,
What remains
Ofthis tempestuous state Of human things
Is merely as the working of asea
Before calm that rocks itself to sleep;
For He. wh ose ear the winds are. and the cloud
The dust that wait upon his sultry march.
When sin hath moved him, and his wrath is hot
Shall visit earth in mercy; shall descend
PrOpItiOus in his chariot paved with love;
And what his storms have blasted and defacei
For mans revolt, shall with a smile repair" +"
And now, dismissing from our mind
all anxiety and care as we may, for the
Lord careth for US, let Us devote our
selves to the innocent festivities of thu
day. Ase fathers, mothers, children
and friends gather around their richly
loaded tables, let there be no fear tina
He who has provided the feast woulC
restrain the expression of the joy. lie
loving greetings, let innocent wit, le
smiles and laughter gladden. ever,
home. Give the children ample scope
Let the grandmothers and grandfather
be children themselves once more. lie
it be such festival of gladness and Joy
that the heart will cherish it in warn
remembrance. Suspending, for one
day at least, that egotism Of anxiety fol
the future, that does far more toward:
impairing our digestion, than it does to
change the relations of things, let US
give free rein to the social affections
cheerful feasting, child-like playfulness
and innocent sports, and thus most
honor Him, who, while Lord of the
universe, Is also our loving Father and
sympathizing Friend.