Weekly Trinity journal., 1875-11-27
Communicated
THANKSGIVING.

THAN K6GlF1NG
"In time Of great dependency
among the settlers Of New England, it
was proposed in one Of therpublic assem-
blies to proclaim a fast. An old farmer
arose, spoke Of their provoking heaven
with their complaints, reviewed their
mercies, showed that they had much to
be thankful for, and moved that, instead
of appointing day of fasting, they
snould appoint "A day Of Thanksgiving.
This was accordingly done, and the Gus
tom has been continued ever since.
[DR. FRANKLIN.
formal Thanksgiving unto God seems
to have originated over three thousand
years ago. (LeU. Z; 12.) 1t was then a
personal act of devotion; it is now Of
national importance. This is fitting. If
the Nomadic serfs from idolatrous Egypt
could appreciate a considerate Providence,
how much more should a marvellous
republic of polished thinkers, which
owes its existence as such, its untram
meled franchise, its religious liberty, and
its title to the respect Of the world, all to
this same author of "every good gift ?"
Our harmonious general laws, our able
legislation, and our conscious security
that retains an incredibly small army and
navy for protection, are not only solid
but brilliant honors TO us. But whence
cometh this security? Commercially we
are well worth conquest. Naval approach
to our shores is navigably practicable.
We have much coast. Our climate is
congenial to the health Of forces from
any country of the globe. We are said
withal yet to be third class government" :"
yet consciously secure. God is with
us. Surrounded by a group of christian
nations, who have adopted a system Of
arbitration based on benevolent principles,
infused by undeniably Divine ethics,
there can be little danger of foreign
trouble. A sublime purpose of the Deity
is easily discernible in this harmony.
The Old World having rejected the Prince
of Peace for false religious systems, is
now gladly welcoming conservative
teachers Of religion that wears a0ett
with the centuries and science. Christi
anity can not perpetuate itself jointly
with superstition, as is shown wherever
in its purity it was permitted to lead.
Europe and America are examples. The
localities Of these divisions Of the earth in
the north temperate zone, seems to be
peculiarly adapted for training the mind
and raising money by rigid industry, for
radating Gospel-light in all directions.
The Office Of America in this noble work
reminds one of the grateful maiden who
plies industriously with brain and muscle
that she may minister to the wants of
grandma. Is not this Gods service :?
and is not God ratifying it? Why should
we not tender thanksgiving for so high
recognition Of our worth ? " Whom He
loveth lie chasteneth."
Political perverseness, internationally,
has received frownng rebuke. The war
on the public school fund question is
Of State from Church. Commercial
duplicity is before the eyes Of the nation.
Extraordinary revelations of individual
crime, murders and robbery have keenly
awakened public Indignation. All these
are resulting well for future safety.
! reconsideration might lead us to CON
clude a deplorable state Of affairs, but
numerous discoveries Of wickedness are
! better proofs of what has been than
what is. God tones justice until it can
break the stubborn spine of organized
! iniquity.
As mining community we may not
readily realize that the short gold season
through which we have passed is positiUe
blessing. Successive years of abundance
render all classes more or less prodigal.
From the miner to the banker this has
been true in California. A short run
was needful to check financial reckless
ness, to compel us to curtail needless
/ extravaganza. In the aggregate of years
there must be as much panned from the
sluce boxes as if there had been no dry
] StdsOll, uul lllc ltSSOIl VI tCOllOulY gwen
so timely must hoist the coin to the beam
in the balances.
Divine economy loses nothing in the
aggregate. Let US thank God for admin.
istrations so just ms a whole. A failure
to do this may lead to further discipline
Ten leppers were once cleansed by the
Prince of Life. Only one returned tc
"giUe Hdnhs," and only one heard the
ratlyng words of progress, 500 thy
Uay," If we are skeptcal about the
authorship of national and personal pros.
perity, we have only to remember that
second causes are minor providences sci
in motion by II Special Providence. The
first motion of creative power was a
speciality, hence God is before all and in
all, and failure to recognize and appreci-
ate Him in His works for us, is to draw
a clog to permanent progress of human
virtue. elf ye believe not Me, believe
the Works"
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RESUMPTION. The following, relative