National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-11-27

PSppte cannot make its political systems a.
PLEASURE,
HEAVEN Is INTERESTED IN NAN.
Our fathers were deyout men, and indifference TO
the work they wrought is to be deprecated wa
arc armed against this evil tendency by the rev
eTent spirit which appreciates their la0eTs and
relies on the same Providence.
These things constitute the chief element IN
entering into the stability and prosperity ct
tory Of modern Europe. IL is not, therefore. de-
VotlOn and piety alone, but the best patriotism
and wlsest craftsmanship that are breathed in
The service or a National Thanksgiving has,
also, an exceeding moral beauty. Individual acts
OF thanksgiving are beautiful. A bird standing
ia its nest TO sing, or when the melancholy days
have eOHe, WaTbling its farewell note from some
witbered stock or leafiess branch is also beauti-
full It is sweet to witness the sad thaBksgtyings
Of alleesOlate and lonely souls, who chant their
praise fer the May days that have been, and the
eternal summer that IS hoped for.
A nation in q united service OF Thanksgiving
presents a sublime scene, especially when thHt
nation covers a continent, wraps half around the
globe and
INCLUDES THE ZONES,
go that the babbling tongues Of our old eETth
blend in its simultaneous anthem. We can
neither describe the service nor guess its utmost
results. 1t slgnslly illustrates the unity into
which Jerusalem is builded. It symbOlizeS, if it
does not pledge, that millennial time when in all
the earth there shall be but one Tod, one people,
and one worship; Let us Join our voices to the
music Of the mighty praise.
Let US thank God Tor the social blessings that
distinguish us as nation. Our homes are IN
eGualed in comfort and prosperity, and unpar-
aleled in their opportunities for culture and pro-
motion. Merit is promptly and generously recog
nized. Everybody has his chance. Our institu-
tioDs are democratic, and our spirit broad and
liberal. Our homes are Christian. The Bible,
a. at the beginning, is our chiefest book, highest
priced, oTtenesteUnsuItod. Over The infant heads
of most of us Christian mothers breathed holiest
prayers and invoked divinest benedictiOns. Our
people begin life close tO-GOd.
Beautiful and happy today are the homes OF
many around Us. The fruits are gathered, chill
dren are forced from their tasks and older hearts
are thankful. From every occupation men as
semble for intercourse and worship There is
gIadness even in bones that are broken. Shad-
oEy forms pass before them, and lsng-buTied Joys
rise again.
HOLY AND BEAUTIFUL
were the early homes of most Of US. How the
thought Of them in this genial day rises in the
broad horizon OF our existence, like some green
and flowing iSlet in the wide and tossing ocean OF
life Good angels have kept their hsllOwed light
TO gladden. the service of this hour. In retrospect
tiOn we are children again.
Days OF my childhood, haill
Whose gentle spirit wandering here,
Down in The visionary vale
Before our eyes appear
Benignly pensiVe, beautifully pale;
y. days forever fed, forever dear,
Days Of my childhood, hail"
Great have been our wanderngs, bet equally
great have been Gods deliVerances and mercies.
We would Danish all sin and inZrautude from
our hearts and lives while VIC thank him for the
bones and friends we have had, and for those
that are continued. If we think we hare nauEh.
But LiFE UNDER TIE STARS,
yet this is so much that we cannot be thankful
enough for it. Think what you are, crowned
with glory and honor, and IOurDeying to felicity
for which language mas no name and imagination
no picture. You are = man; therefore awake
Rise TO those heights where sunshine streams
and Heaven lellOWships with IOyeliest souls Re
Ioice and be exceeding glad
Bnt in thanking God for homes, friends and
life let Gs not fail TO include those national bless
ings with which he has crowned the year. As a
patton We have been exempt from war, pestile1ce
and famine. Our barns and graDarIcs are filled
with plenty. Earth ana heaven have Deen lavish
of their gifts There has been no lack, but the
imperfcctjOn Of our human eOntrivances have O.
casioned. Education is going forward everywhere,
ana intelligence is increasing. The arts have
fourishcd, and science has won new trophies.
PATRIOTISM AND CHARITY
have made Roadway against party hate and local
prejudice. The wounds Of recent combat are
healing, and our Government has maintained
good repute abroad. For these blessings we are
profoundly thankful. In the religious world the
conflict Of ideas has thickened, but reason tri-
nmphs over ecclesiasLicism and faith prevails
against inhdelity. In the meantime piety has
gone forth from places Of strife and haunss OF
doubt, whiterObed and wTeathed in smiles, to ef-
face the sins and relieve the sorrows Of men. Oar
eyes see what prophets foretold, and saints prayed
10 witness
We have now reached the
BORDER OF NEW CENTURY
in our nations history. Our heroic founders have
passed away. Their work remains, and whItcan
we wish beside? Is IL wealth.? II is in our hands.
Is it power2 God hath given it us. Is it liberty?
1t is our brthTighL, Is it peace? II dWells
among US. Is it union? Wars cannot separate
us. As our Centennial anniversary daWns, % that
the spirit Of our assembled saviOrs would come
upon our peOple-thc spirit Of courage, Of wisdom
Of elOquence, of selisacrihce Of lofty patriotism
and sPOtless honOT-the gift OF power.
We are in the way Of improvement and safety,
however, when we arc in the way Of devOut
We are pilgrims tC the land of
eternal promise. ThitheT all the tribes are going
up. Soon we shall stand on Mount Zion, our
feet within her gates, the royal diadem on our
brOws. To-day the everlasting hills seem near
Let US with heart and tongue
Praise the Lord, his glories show;
Saints within hi, courts below,
Angels round his throne above:
All that see and share his love,
Praise the Lord.
Earth to heaven ard heaven TO earth,
Tell his wonders, sing his worth;
Age 10 age, and shore to shore
Praise him, praise him eTermOre,
Praise the Lord. =