The Weekly Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, O. [Ohio]) 1861-1???, 1867-12-13

On Thanksgiving morning, religious exercises
were held in the NJ. E. Church, in which the
Presbyterian and other denominations participated.
The service comprised music by the choir readiEg
of appropriate portions of Scripture, and offering
the introductory prayer by Rev. G. A. ADAMS,
followed by a discourse by Rev. A. HoLLINGroN.
The text was
40 give thanks unto the Lord call upon his
name; make known his deeds among the people
Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him talk We
Of all his wondrouS works."-Psaha CIV, uerscs l. 2.
The substance Of his remarks was as follows
The act of Thanksgiving for benefits received,
and that of praise addressed 20 the source of such
benefits, had always been the highest and bright
est duty of humanity. The obligations to it, had
been conceded by all classes of men, in every age.
The spirit Of gratitude inspired the poor with
feelings of pleasing emotion. Ii thrilled the heart
of the object of gratitude with the conscious ats
faction OF active goodness, in the effort to promote
human happiness. Owing to the influences thus
emanating from the development of these noblest
qualities of human character, it is we'll that all
should engage in acts of thanksgiving and praise.
Man his indy dua character society in its social
relations, and nations clothed with the attributes
of human power, all possess the highest motives
for gratitude and praise to Him who hath Crowned
our lives with HIS goodness and whose tender
merces are ever all His works." As subjects
of such abundant mercles, We may well exclaim
with the poet.
"Whcn all thy mercies, 0 my God,
My rising soul surveys,
Transported with The view, I'm lost
In wonder, love and praise"
As Christian community, we have cause {
thankfuluess that form part Of this great uaon,
which has tittingly sanctfed this day in praise
to God, and in acts of benehcenoe to our fellow
beings. Considering the manifold blessings be-
slowed upon MS, rs nation and people, we can
exclaim with the Psamst: 80 give thanks unto
fl,n ord.
deeds among the people; Sing unto him, sing
psalms unto him; talk We of all his wondrous
works.
The comparative prosperity which as a nation
has attended our productive energies, gives abund-
ant cause for gratitude and praise to God. Whilst
misery, want and famine, prevail among other
nations, the hatvests in our land have yielded
a bountfhl supply, and from our. stores we
enabled 10 contribute to the famishing in other
lands. In the transactions os commerce, in the
development of odr physical resources, and in the
triumphs of science, SUCCESS and prosperity have
| in like manner rested on this nation. The very
fact that this day has been set apart for thansgiv
ing and praise to God is our rational acknowledg &C
mcnt that these Blessings are derived from Him.
The success with which this nation has emerged
from its struggle for national existence, fur
Dishes abundant cause for gratitude to God.
When the magnitude OF that conflict is viewed in
| its relations to the vast resources of men and
| money employed in its prosecution, we stand
amazed at the. prosperity we now enjoy. The
financial resources of this nation appear unex-
hausted, its commercial relations have been ex-
tended, its flag is hnnored and respected by all
nations, and war, instead of destroying us, has
given an extraordinary development to nearly
every branch of our industrial energies an / re-
sources Reviewing these mprCies we may ex-
claim " God hath not dealt so with any nation"
Our national blessings are without example
Pointing to the vast resources yetremaning uHde-
ye!oped, the voice of Providence addresses each
one of US /: q" 4 his is the land of which | have
slid, will give ii you; go ye mp and possess it,"
These resources, and this prosperity has been
given us, that we may be instruments in the hands
Of God, in extending the blessings of freedom, and
Cl rstianity to our fellow men.
II is matter of thankfulness that comparative
peace and harmony now prevail among all classes
of citizens in this nation. Ageneral aequieseence
is manifested by those late in rebellion, to submit
to the Government they sought to overthrow. In
their prostratiOn and humation let us manifest
toward them Christian magnauimity, and by ex-
tending the hand of national clemency, exhibit the
highest evidence of conscious strength 1t 10 a
matter Of thankfulness that the people of this
great nation have furnished an example in this
matter, which.has no parallelinthe history of ma
tions.H In the moment Of victory and of conquest
the vast power ami resources Of the victors have
been applied to feeding the hungry, clothing the
naked, and in educating both white and black in
those regions, but lately under the Influence Of re-
bellion, thus illustrating the Scripture axiom
"fherefore II thine enemy hunger feel him, il
he thirst give him drink, for 10 doing thou shalt
heap Goals Of fse on his head. De not overcome
of evil, but overcOme evil with good"
Subtraction viii command the respect and adj
miration of the civilized world, and she'd an halo
of glory around the history Of this period Of time
We ought TO give thanks to God for the wonder
full prosperity which he has bestowed ON the
churches of our country. BY its increase ofuum-
bers. Of G,Health and OF influence, Providence has
vOuchsafed the means of earnest action in the
evaugelization Of the world, and the language thus
addressed by God 10 the Church is, "GA forth
and pissCss thyself of the nations Of the eaitH.
In conclusion, the, reverend gentleman referred
more particularly to the prosperity which has at
tended the Methods. branch of the Christian
Church with which he was connected.