The Conservative. (M'connelsville, Ohio) 1866-1871, 1870-11-25
THANKSGIVING.
SERMON BY REV. n. COOPER.

tional and State authorities for rend
ering thanks 10 Almighty God for the
mercies and enjoyments of the past
year, was duly observed by many Of
the citizens of McConnelsville, Malta,
and their respective vicinities. AT
half-past ten o'clock, A. NJ, services
were held in the Presbyterian Church,
of this Village, all denominations be-
ing represented, and Rev. HENRY Coo
PER, pastor of said Church, who had
been chosen to deliver the Thanks
giving Sermon, spoke about as fol-
lows:
TIE OK knoweth his owner, and the ass
his masters crib; but Israel doth not know,
my people doth not consider.-LsGiah ]; 8.
Once a minister, on his way to Pres
bytery, was thrown from his horse on
the verge of a high bridge; and, receiv-
ing no serious injury, he in a devo~
tional meeting, expressed deep graft
tude to God for his deliverance. A
fellow-pastor hearing him, said he had
sreater cause than his brother for
thankfulness, because he had Tidde1 over
the same bridge VithOut meeting Nth an
aecidentI
After a year of life journey, We are
gathered together on Thanksgiving
Day. Does the remembrance of events
in that time bring feelings of gratitude
into our hearts2
As q Nation, We are ct peace with
all outside, and harmony reighs with
in. Reconstruction is complete, the
dear, old flag watts to the breeze in
all parts Of our beloved land. During
a century, the negro was a dark, low
ering storm-cloud on our political
horizon; and, now, he is brought down
to our level, been made a citizen, and
is harmless. But for the yellow haze,
betokening trouble from China, the
sky everywhere would be clear. No
pestilence, no famine, no war or ru-
mors of war in our busy, yet quiet and
happy land. As a Nation, we have
travelled a twelve months journey
s0ithoNt accident.
As q State, County, Town, and
neighborhood, plenty, peace and
health mark our history. Beautiful
Spring was late arriving, but she wore
a bright face and radiant robes when
her presence became apparent. Her
beaming smiles made Nature laugh
around her, and motherly Summer,
bringing abundant fruits, followed
early and tarried late. Never, per-
haps, was there less party bitterness
and strife; and never, possibly, has
there been fewer feuds or neighbour
hood quarrels, and we cannot bit ex-
claim, "Let brotherly love continue !"
Our learned gentlemen of the bar have
enjoyed ample opportunity to become
well posted for future trials, our excel
lent physicians have had, at least, their
usual sleep. As a community, we have
journeyed Without accident.
Personally, u course has not been
marked by unusual occurrences. With
a few, "the cup of thanksgiving is min
gled with tears" The sable messen-
ger has called at some of our doors
loved faces are not seen'te-day chairs
at our tables filed a year ago, are va
cant now, and viii be hereafter. Yet,
how large a number of these regretted
ones, fell asleep in Jesus, to awaken
where Thanksgiving extends through
all the year: |,
''Where the rivers of pleasure flow DER the
bright plains,
And the nOOn-tide of glory eternally reigns;
Where the anthems of rapture increasingly
roll,
And the smile OF the Lord is the feast Of !
SOUL"
Aside from loss of friends. to each
this has been a year of usual comforts |
and enjoymeDts. In this respect, too, ,
have journeyed u7ithOut accident. !,
Educationally, there has been no /.
such year in u chronicles. A noble
structure, high upon the hill side, no I
'ably mmemorates the joyful fact [
hat Van Wrinkle slumbers ended /.
some months ago, while a real sun and
all knowing their appointed
shine in our heavens to indi- ,
cate that for the boys and girls of Nc ,
genuine light, order and
progress have replaced the tapers, con- l
and gate-like motion of school =
lays past. Occasionally, we have G
ourneyed i0ithout accident.
Religiously, WI note the past year as $
me of silent, steady, healthy growth. S
Harvest is past, Summer is ended.|
some the wilderness has become
eden, the desert a garden of the Lord. a
Joy and gladness, thanksgiving and
he voice of melody" are heard where \
asst year was desolation and despair. :,
fanny, walking in the fear of the Lord, e
ave enjoyed the comforts of the Holy S
host. Spiritually, too, we have jour, =
eyed vithOEt accident.
We have no such reason for thanks IL
living, as some extraordinary deliver
nee affords ; and, for this consider P
ng that we have no extraordinary or D
evil 20 be delivered from, we
ave the greater reason for a heartfelt @
etufn of thanks to God. Had demon, A
ar, killed, burned and destroyed IN y
ur land as in France, and then yielded
restoring peace, every heart would
fer devout Thanksgiving, perhaps, for e
When we feel the scourge n
lost, most of us recognize the Divine s
and but, when all around is delight
Il, Deity, forsooth, is hid by His gifts. 81
if prosperity is a blessing, no man
more perfectly bfest by interrupted al
uninterrupted prosperity. The truth &C
e tboR ua too 1ffao foroaE %ba3 %