The New York herald., 1876-12-01
JANE STREET M. E. CHURCH
THE CAUSES OF THASKsGIyISa-sERMoH BIZ

THE REV. W. +. HATFffLD.
Union services were held in Jane ,freet Methodist
Episcopal church yesterday. There was large attend
ance After the usual preliminary services Rev. Mr.
hatneid preached sermon taking his text from the
l47th Psalm. l2-14-"Praiso the Lord o Jerusalem:
praise thy God, Zion. For he hath strengthened the
bars Of thy gates he hatt blessed thy children within
thee. He makeh peace in thy botders and lest thee
with the finest OF the wheat
Mr. Hatfield said that in compliance with the proc.
lamation OF the President and the Governor OF Now
York the congregation had to render thanks
10 the Gver of All Tor the manifold mercles and bless
ngs they had enjoyed during the year had passed
In the first place. should be thankful that health
mad prevailed throughout the land, and We had also
for thankfuness in being preserved from foreign
civil war. True IL was that there had been some
skrmshng with hostile Indian tribes among tho Black
Hills aud the lives OF valiant men had been sacrificed
in the attempts TO disodge the enemy, and in the
South there been collisions between those long in
power and those long oppressed, but the hOrdca
had been dispersed by our troops aud the vioaors oi
law nrraigned at tho bar OF justice. We were
told that there dissatisfaction and uneasness
throu. bout the South, that in some quarters u
difficult TO enforce the law and preserve good orders
but these things were only the legitimate result Of
what might have been expected alter our late terrific
struggle But the leaders in that struggle who did
much IL bring IT on had passed away and the spirit oil
rebellion begottcn by the very system they had Sc
that Tor years had been dominant should checrfully
concede 10 those who had always been oppressed
certain rights and privileges which belonged to them
as citizens OF this country and attempts made TO
drive them from II or TO withhold from Them privi-
leges which they inhcred would DO alike fatal TO tho
interests OF tnemscivesandt the Republic That there
SO little agitation 10 consequence OF the freedmen
claiming their rights In land madc great and glorious
by the liberty enjoy, whore the power held for
years by lew had been in part rcd TO the
many, is cause for devout gratitude 10 God Alter
aIiudng TO the prosperous condition Of the country
the reverend gentleman commented upon tho political
contests which agated the nation He said that never
In the history OF tho country had there been political
when greater issues wcrc involved and when the two
great parties werc so evenly divided as during tho
recent Presidential election; and yet was never
ono when there was greater patience aud for
benrance displayed. when better order prevailed
and when there was 1rmer purpose adhere TO tho
principles Of truth and justice In other lands when
plors are chosen, riots and instructions
UGommon, but hcre there peace and q stiffness
that drew forth favorable from those among
US who were the subjects OF other governments and
though the final decision had not been rendered yet
there riotous manifestations as some predicted
and when was rendered the people accept thai
decision with marked submission. The reverend gen
teman also referred TO the triumph Of America at the
recent exposition among the nations Of the earth
But we had reason 70 fear our prosperity The pIac
ing in positions of honor and responsibility unre.
liable and incompetent men OF the great
est dangers we had to apprehend With the
ro~n ro~ hG posep keppoo oar politics. had
essential 10 tho strength aud perpetuty of govern
ment founded upon the will Of the people had been
employed by leading and designing men 10 carry out
the most neiarious schemes. Despite all these
obstacesour unaoly desire for wealth. our disregard
OF moral worth in those chosen to make laws-yes
VIC had the ability to prevent the results that
might ensue. Christianity, tho grand corrective o
evil, tho religion cherish, and long we nd.
here 70 us doctrines ana obey us precepls SO long
tions OF the earth. With fearless pulpit and
trammced press the two mightiest engines of REFORM
we would be enabled TO advance onw1fd toward our
high DESTINY