The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1874-11-27
THANKSGIVING SERMON,
BY REV. DIR. MATTHEWS,
In THE NJ. E. CHURCH, SOUTH,
FELICITY ROAD, NOVEMBER 10, 1874.
Reported expressly for the Bulletin by Joseph
MICH. Holmes.]
THE PRAYER.

We are gathered in Thy presence for the PR
pose OF uniting our thanksgiving to God. We
have come to publicly express what we feel in
the depths of our hearts, believing that God
reiens. that above and beyond second causes
there is a personal power, there is an individual
power over all touching all things in whose hands
are the reins OF government, and under whose
control the earth moves and events occur. Lord
we bless Thee that We are not left to men: that
we are under the Divine control, and that Thy
throne is IN the Heavens and that Thou rUlest
over Gil. and we come to worship Thee, we come
to lit up hearts in grateful thanksgiving for
the mercies Of the Lord to US as people, and as
individuals. Oh, Lord! we have felt that we were
almost forsaken, we have-we have been dis
heartened as O people and yet in thine own time
Thou hast lifted the cloud, Thou art removing
the darkness and the light is breaking in upon US
and we unite our hearts in blessing Thee. in
whose hands are all governments. Oh We bless
Thee thai Thou dost love Thy people, and that
justice and Judgment are the avOcatlons OF Thy
throne, and that Thou hast an eye to look upon
Thy people and all ear TO hear their prayer. Lord,
we thank Thee that there are before us facts and
indications and evidences OF Thy blessing and
Thy power, and We come to ask God this day
still to manifest his blessings-still show us that
favor, and oh, Lord God! lead US out OF the Wild
erness, lead us out of the darkness, lead us be-
yond the power of those who would grind us to
powder. Oh, Lord we thank Thee that events
have been occurring, that circumstances have
been developing, that frauds have been unearthed
and vlilalnleS nave Deen Drought 10 uSIlt uIltl
the hearts OF the people stand appalled,. God
has touched the strings Of virtue and reactions
have occurred and are occurring. Oh, God may
this go on until the people shall be redeemed,
1ntil righteousness shall prevail, until justice
shall be melted out in every portion OF our land
and all the people shall join together, standing
up to exclaln ''Bless ye the Lord all the people,
bless the Lord oh! ye nations! !" Oh, Lord God let
Thy blessings be upon us and upon our country.
Oh! Lord look Thou upon this nation, called IN
thy providence to greatness. We bless Thee
that Thou hast not abandoned us or left US to
the influences and the passions OF angry
men. We bless Thee that Thou hast An eye
upon it and that Thou goest direct to govern it.
oh, Lord! let Thy blessings be upon al: the peo-
pie OF this entire nation, and we pray God espe-
cially for our Commonwealth. Oh, Lord! look
Thou upon our own department; look Thou upon
the State Of Louisiana, trodden, torn, bereft ;
Rachaels weeping for those who have departed,
departed for the sake of others. Oh, Lcrd shall
they bleed and die in vain? Thou hast said they
shall not Oh, Lord! let Thy blessings specially
come to us as a Commonwealth; overrule the
evil intentions of men. oh, Lord scatter and
drive out the evil overturn the best laid schemei
Of wickedness and i'll for the people, and over.
turn and overturn until the people shall feel that
God regns in righteousness.
The Lord hear our prayer. and accept US II
Christ Jesus. Amen.