The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1868-12-03
THANKSGIVING sEkMvN.
By the Rev. C. B. Stevens of the Pres.
byterian Church.
We publish at the special request {


the Chief Magistrate of this State and OF
the United States, appointing the 26ili
of November as a day of public Thanks
giving. And certainly we have much to
be thankful for. The special blessings Of
the year, lavished upon US by our Heaven
ly Father, have been neither few nor
small. During the past twelve months
our Village has been free FROM the rayages
of malignant disease 1t is true, that a
mysterious Providence has permitted one
heavy, appalling blow to fall upon our
community, by which a score and a half
Of souls were plunged into eternity by
one fell swoop. The weeds of sorrow
present IN our streets, and assemblages
and III 50 many homes, are proof that no
common visitation has rested upon us ;
but in the orderings of Divine Hand
will the loss of the Sea Bird be an un-
mitigated calamity? May not the night
OF our tears at temporal bereavement yet
be turned to morning of Joy that our
chasti>ement has brought forth the peace
able fruits Of righteousness in those who
have been afflicted thereby? God grant
that so it may be.
But aside from this stroke think that
the ravages of death must have been
very limited, and for this we should be
thankful.
Prosperity has attended US as = village.
The recent structures all around us indi-
cate healthful, vigorous growth. The
work on our harbor, the cheerful willing
ness OF our people to make provisions for
line OF communication with the interior
and to open channels through which
trade and travel, and commerce NAV flow,
are proofs that a hopeful future is before
Us; aud augur favorably that our great
natural advantages cannot much longer
remain locked up.
Oar commonwealth. too, mas been
richly blessed. The vicisstudes of the
seasons have been so ordered-the rains
and dews, and summer heat-that Au-
tumnal harvests have richly rewarded the
labors Of the husbandman and our State
smiles with plenty. Aud as with our
State, so with all our country, as Whole
The past has been most fruitful season,
and our great abundance has been atten-
ded with general healthfulness. The
sword, the pestllence and faminine have
not been let loose. Peace, health and
plenty have prevailed, as Il rule through
out our borders: for which we should be
unfcignedly thankful.
" have been preserved from prostra-
ting financial enIba "rassnents. Seasons
of struggle, such as that we have passed.
Il IA rule, are followed by financial de-
Engagements, bankruptcy and ruin eau
tious men have feared and expected it,
ard almost wondered that it has not
come. For almost four years now we
have been spared this aifiction, and even
the tlmld begin to ask if it cannot now
be escaped aIsogether The products OF
our fields fill our granaries. The ex-
haustion Of war begins to find relief from
the arts and labors of peace 1t seems
as if Il patriotic, patient, industrious
people would find themsclvce able to
nioci ali ihc exi gcHcics OF our unwOn.ed
National debt, and as if the smooth
=. cam If oar prosperity might again
How onward, ~-ur~. -
ever, after It's escape from the w:.lrl l.v!
Iii which it has been engulfad.
Another occasion Tor THANKSGIVING il
seems to me, has been afforded in the
circumstances OF comparative quiet which
| have attended another rGitlcal canvass
Che baromete; OF public confidence, -
the price Of gold and of United SITE
bond has indicated 4 remarkable uni
fnra.lty Of stability in oar political atinn
sherc and augurS well that our horizon
does notyet reveal the lea fl secy omen Of d
Storm. All parties cannot, in the nature
of ings, have controlling majority,
and I,,,It
nIent. 1t looks as if there was to be i
cheerful acquiesence in the expressed vii
of the majority. And in the selection OF
candidates elected to the highest offices
within the gift Of our nation, it seems to
me that do not inisinterpret the feelings
OF the minority when | say, that,if they
must be defeated at all, they would prefer
to be defeated by the very men who have
been elected rather than by any other
two men lhatfhe sue ST ii party could have
presented for these Off ces. Such results
must be regarded then, as on the whole
desirable, and for them we should b,
thankful.
Our whole situation then. as villa =
as IL State and as a Nation, presents suci
a record of mercIeS for this past year that
we have occasion this morning to enter
these courts with hearts of thankfulnes,
and tongues of praise Health, plenty
and peace bless our land. The tears
which the past has called forth flow witt
| less choking, suffocating grief. The
promise Of the future seems more an
more adapted to awaken confident expcc
tation and cheerful hope. We have oc
casion to take up the pSalmists ditty anC
| to sing Bless tie Lord Cny soul and for
| get not all his benefits; who forgiveth al
thine iniquities who healeth all thy dis
eases who redeemeth thy life from de
struction who crowneth thee with low
ing Kindness and tender mercies: wht
satlsiieth thy mouth with good things
SO that thy youth is renewed like tn
eagles
But in inviting your attention, m.
hearers. to the words of the text, viii
which have pre6xed what | have sal,
| did not design to confine our attention
to the contemplation Of the special bless
ings Of the past year. The Psalmist, il
this psalm of thanksgiving, took into hi
thoughts view of Gods gene,ut care
and goodness manifested for his people
during the period Of their history and il
view Of he whole result he joyouS y
thankfully exclaims He hath not deal
so with any nation?''
There are aspects of Gods dealing
with our nation in the history Of the past
III the experiences of the present and,
might say. in the omens of the future
which should not make it particularly I'm
seemly for us to say with the Psalmist
spirit of gratitude, if not in the full mean
ing Of the Psaln.isss words He hath moi
dealt so with any nation" To dwell upnr
some Of these aspects would seem to nIt
not very marked Misrepresentation o
our time on this occasion. | propoS'
to dwell for short time upon aspects o
God marked goodness to US as a nation
He has especially blessed us in the do
main of which he has given US the herr