The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1872-11-20
From the North Carolina Presbyterian.
Day of Thanksgiving and Prayer.

Our brethren will remember that the General
Assembly at Richmond recommended to our
churches the observance by them of the third
Thursday of November "as day of special thanks
giving to God for His mercies to US as a Church,
and OF humiliation and earnest supplication to God
for an abundant outpouring of His Spirit on all
our pastors aud congregations"
Our purpose, however, is more particularly to
call the attention of the churches Of our Synod to
the appointment by our Assembly, at Richmond
day of Thanksgiving aud prayer We are to come
before the Father of lights, as Church. We
are to praise His name for what He has done for
us as Church. And is it not eminently proper
Do not all the facts of the case demand JOYFUL
thanksgiving? Our Southern Presby teriau Zion
was born in times of great trial. and Graded upon
the pillows of great affection She has struggled
against Misrepresentation grappled with crushing
poverty, commended with host of the most embar
RAISING and dscouraging circumstances and lifting
up face all furowed with tears, to the dlscipining
Hand has been constrained to say: "Ail Thy
waves, and Thy pillows have gone over me.
Yet look at the record to-day Though her Lord
has been chastening her, yet He has been ddrunc-
tag Ter onward u4on her mission. Faithful TO her
covenant vows Ii the midst of fiery fl ght of af
Aictions, she has moUed on. Year by year she has
Progressed Year by year, steadily, numbers OF
precious souls have been added to her communion.
Hor churches have been supplied, in the general
with the word Of life. Her ministers have been
faithfully preaching the truth as it is in Jesus and
been sustained in their work. Her young men are
consecrating themselves to the work OF the minis
try, and her Theological Seminaries have made en-
couraging progress. Missionaries have been sent
out proclanng the glad tidings of salvation to the
perishing in heather lands, and the heart of the
church is growing, yearly warmer In this glorious
WORK. Her financial prospects have been gradual
ly yet surely improving. Her LAMBS" have been
in the main more tenderly cared for, and deeper
aud more thrilling interest than ever before has
been evinced in her Sabbath School operations. Is
there not abundant justification in all this for the
whole heart of the Church to rise up In one uni
versal song of praise, and say: This is the Lord
doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes. Bless
the Lord 0 my soul; and all that is within me-
bless His Holy Name?" Yesl Then let our
churches throw open their doors at the time APP
pointed by our Assembly Let our ministers re-
count the abundant reasons for this joyful thanks
giving, and let all our people JOIN with happy
hearts in joyful and uneigned thanks giving to Him
from whom all blessings flow Let them lit
up too, earnest hearts of prayer, that the Great
Head of the Church, our Divine Lord, would give
grace to both ministers and members, that they
may be more faithful and efficient IN the work He
has given them to do: esteeming all things but loss
for the exceency Of the knowledge OF Christ Jesus
our Lord." " And God even our own God, shall
bless us.