Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes Co., O. [Ohio]) 1870-1895, 1873-12-04


ful noise unto Him with psalms.
In various passages of the Bible
thankful spirit is commended and
enjoined. We are, in everything to
give thanks, to "offer unto God
thanksgiving" and the Psalmist
called upon all within him to bless
the name of the Lord. This has
been performed by Gods people in
all ages,-at their homes, as did
Daniel; at their tables, as taught by
the example of Jesus; in the society
of friends, as did Paul when a pris-
oner nearing Rome, meeting a dele
cation of the church at Rome, he
thanked God and took courage"
In this text Of Scripture we are
invited to a solemn convocation in
the presence, or in the house of Je-
hovah, and in appropriate exercises
of song and praise, manifest our
gratitude to Him for the unnumber-
ed blessings, and varied mercies be-
slowed upon us.
On the reception Of benefit, the
first impulse of noble heart is to
manifest gratitude to the giver; nor
would we deem it proper to receive
the slightest favor without some ex-
preston of thankfulness. How
much more should We express our
gratitude and obligation to Him
"who giveth us richly all things to
enjoy" Thus Gods people have
had in all ages, their stated and ex-
traordinary seasons of public thanks
giving. The children of Israel, at
their annual Feast of Tabernacle
or Feast of lngathering, assembled
from Dan to Beersheba in the tenn
pie to offer thanksgiving to God for
the products of the soil, the fruit of
the vine, and the blessings of the
year. And on the occasion of any
signal Interposition of the divine
power in their behalf, they would
break forth in songs of praise and
thanksgiving to Him who had inter
fered for their protection or defense.
Nearly 3400 years ago, vast multi
tude stood on the shore of an east
ern sea, on the border of the Ara
bian Desert. During the preceding
night, God had opened for them a
passage through the waters. Their
enemies essaying to follow them,
had been overwhelmed and destroy
ed. Their recognized leader now
leads them in song of praise, to
which Miriam, the prophecies, and
the other women respond in the
chorus. "Sing ye to the Lord, ior
He hath triumphed gloriously; the
horse and his rider hath he thrown
into the sea-" David also, at The
coronation of his son, Solomon at
the dedication of the temple, and
Nehemiah at the dedication of the
rebuilt wall, with all the people,
mingled prayer with praise, and
singing with the sound of instru
ments of music.
That these were acceptable to
God by whose direction they were
performed, and who filed the tenn
pie with the manifestation of his
presence, and that they were bene-
fetal to His people, there can be no
doubt. Even the heather institute
professions, and inaugurate the
most extravagant festivities in honor
of their idols. Then, how much
more should we, as a nation, ''come
before His presence with thanksgiv-
ing"
In our own country, the observ-
ance of certain days for thanksgiv-
ing, was inaugurated by those who
came over in the Mayfower; though
the first convening by the govern
ment was not for purposes of thanks |
giving, but for fasting, humiliation
and prayer. In the year 1923, from
the first of May to the middle of
July, there had been no rain. The
crops were likely to fail and starva-
tion was imminent. On the morn
ing of the appointed day, the sun
rose as clear and the skies were as
brazen as on any of the preceding
days. For nine hours those daunt-
less heroes wrestled in prayer to
Him who alone could succor and
preserve the people he had planted |
in those western wilds-when, with
out thunder or wind, the gentle rain
descended, insuring bountiful
harvest. For this signal interposi
ton, a day of public thanksgiving
was appointed and observed.
In 1850 the number of the colo
nists was reduced to 800 souls,
when, to their great joy, $40 arrived
from the Old World, IN a fleet of
fourteen sail. For their preserva
ton from the dangers of the deep,
and their safe arrival. the Sth of Ju-
ly was observed as day of public
thanksgiving. The following win
ter, in view of this large addition to
their numbers, without a proper
tionate increase of provisions, they
were reduced to the greatest extrem-
ity. They were obliged to eat clans
and nuts, while even acorns were
used as an article of food. The 9th
day of February, 1881, was appoint
ed as day of fasting and prayer for
relief. In the midst of their sup
plications, two vessels were deserted |