The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1867-11-30

Lights, from whom cometh down
every good and perfect gift. -
! The speaker proceeded to point out
the propriety of the service. 1t was
an obligation, not because the Presi-
dent or Governor had recommended
it, but because God commands it, or
daining the ordinance of thanksgiV7
ing, lest we should forget the hand
whence comes our bounty. Because
of our unworthiness of the least of
His blessings, we should be the more
truly grateful, We had forfeited all
claim on God for either protection or
providence, and the blessings that
surround US are His free, sovereign
and unmerited gifts, purchased for
US by the death of Christ.
There is reason why God should
clothe the lilly and feed the raven.
They were His creatures, and had
never forfeited His favor by sin,
while we, who were made little low
er than the angels, have sinned times
without number against Him. IF the
lilly can send up her fragrance as
holy incense to God, surely we should
call upon all that is within us to
praise His holy name.
Because of our dependence we
should give thanks. Man is the most
dependent of all Gods creatures, and
the most prone to forget God.
iIThe service Of thanksgiving was
one Of dignity because it is rendered
to Sod, and service with which he
He has expressed Himself well pleas
ed, and becomes a participant in the
service thus honoring the thanks
giver.
It is dignifed by the example Of
holy men of God in every age. It is
a service in which nature herself is
represented as participating. The
many stars sang together. The hills |
shall break forth into songs, and the
trees shall clap their hands for joy. 81
1t is fitting that we should give |
thanks to God, because Of its joyous
ness. It is the only service we can
render to God that is unaccompanied |
by struggle or conflict. It is a day to
be celebrated with Joy and sacred |
mirth, 1t is the divinely appointed |
and only lawful day for Christian
merry making.
The speaker next considered the |
range our Thankgivings should take. |
They should be retrospective as well |
as prospective
For mercies past
And future good IN store"
And what shall we say of the holy
dignity of the scene when we see
Jesus-God manifest in the flesh
meekly lifting up his eyes to Heaven
and giving thanks. 4 i
For even our Affections we had
cause for thanksgiving, and the bless
ings were so abundant that the Attic
tions-themselves blessings in dis
guise-are overshadowed.
And five can look upon the past
with Thanksgiving, we can none the
less look forward with buoyant hope |
and thankful confidence For he
who has been a.f
'Our strength in ages past,'' a
is also
''Our hope for years to come"
The speaker enumerated few of
the abundant special blessings for
which we should give thanks: For
life aud health, not only our personal
health, but that of our city, which
had been preserved from the angel of
the pestilence that had lowered over
many cities shaking death from his
wings. For our abundant supplies of
food and raiment. and even for our
Affections. which had served TO bring
us to the feet of the Savior. For the
national blessings he had bestowed,
of peace and general prosperity.
For the more abundant blessings of
a spiritual character, we had special
cause for thanksgiving. For the con-
tinued favor of God upon Zion and
for the spirit that has, during the
past year, been manifest in our
Churches. For the strong prospect
of reunion of the two branches Of
the Presbyterian Church, the congre-
cations of the Vine Street and Wal
Cla.G Hb,,-a1o. bo1a acpaaioI