Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1880-12-25
THANKSGIVING SERMON.
TEXT. Psalm CIVIL.

Nearly all nations, in both anclen,
and modern times, have incorporated
INTO their religions and social customs
anuual thanksgivings tor the blessings
that crown each year. Your CLASSIC
;tera,ure. young gentleman OF the Coz
i"aa vii, tell YOU of many festivals Gel
80 - "'i 10 The Greeks and Romans,that
nubliely recognized the gifts of the gods
n the vintage and harvests OF lheir
fs,Js These festivals were part OF
tbeir social and religious life. cannot
INV friends, conceive of any thing more
becoming than that Christian nation
,Loujl celebrate a day OF universal
thanksgiving to the God and Father CT
onr Lord Jesus Christ, the Father, also,
o.; ali men, and the giver OF all good
10 me it is most Inspiring to think that,
IL Ills hour, there are millions OF our
l,rstbren and fellow-citizens in this heav-
,ntavored land engaged, like ourselves,
in songs OF praise, and in the worship OF
o2r ever mercitul God. From unnum-
Tered hearts and voices goes up the
song: 20 praise the Lord, all ye ma
lions; praise him, all re people. For
His mercilul kindness is great toward
rs; and the truth of the Lord endureth
forever. Praise ye the Lord.
Before considering some OF our pecu-
liar obligations to be grateful to God,
let us first ask two questions;
yLu Sio,4H zee observe his pa-iic"-
i..- aag, 2H,rsday, November 20 1850
Us dng NJ Thanksgiving! .H"d "hy
,.,V re- nsSemdie in our accustomed
.,,r. IF ,ro,slip for his 2u poss!
answer, Sccaase our rulers have
,..nnaud,d it. We are here in ohedi-
enc. 70 lyoclamations from the chief
E>rru,iy,s both of our Nation and State
.yo,a his ENcellency Rutherford b.
I.,..,. President OF the United States,
md from his Nxeeliency Alfred II. Col
oafrt, Governor of Georgia. These
,roc'amations make it not merely our
,r,,iIigc, but cur duty also, to meet to-
. ,h,r on tbs particular day TO unite in
,nl,ic Thanksgiving to Almighty God
FIR fiS manifold and great mcrci,s. And
,.. :. ri.turcs-Our only rule Ofia!th and
lrlc.icc-s,stain this proposition. In
Il, things lawful, as test d 10y the great
cr Inv Of God. it is Christian mans
,,n, to oG.y those in authority.
have ,houshtit well toexamiue with
-,uc care the scriptural basis OF tins
doctrine. The suhjrct is broad, and
there are many passages which bear up
an il. bat Two or three will answer our
,r,srrt m.rrose. ST. Paul, III his EplS-
lie 10 the Romans, gives us remarka-
III. Ana unmjsiakAble passage upon thus
~gii.ci. read Rom. Xiii, IL. IT. fe-
fer lives lis statement no less distinct
and emphatic. read Pet. ii, 1918.
On this whole subject there can be, /
,nnk, no doubt as 10 the general doc'
Urine Of the !;ible. 1t may be briefly
stated thus /. God is the source OF all
law and authority, as he is the fountain
81 all existence. 2. lie ordains govern
tncn,: that is, the thing. not the form.
The texts jrst read are as applicable TO
one torn as 10 another 3. Obedience TO
..lhe lowers that be" isa duty, not
oulv as to our rulvis, but as 10 God,
who is the Governor OF all.
Lit Us observe further, for II is
mate. of vital Importance. II is not I"
the King, or President, or Governor we
owe obedience, but I" the ruler; hot
,.,,,,.,, n III HIGHEST. she King as su
r.en:c. but 20 all rulers; 10 Governors
a.,o. Of every grade, as representing The
n:ohest-ra,her, as representing under
Lin. the law and government that are
back OF him and above him; that is, to
push the thought further, but not too
iar-not merely the law and constitution
of the State, but the divine law and
constitution of the universe. Where
fore 81. Paul SAYS: Render to all their
dues; tribute to HON tribute is due;
custom 10 whom custom; fear TO whom
tear: nonor 20 whom honor" st. Peter
teaches the same doctrine. So does our
Lord himself
The foundation truth of the whole
doctrine Is this: Whoever administers
legitimate authority represents, 10 so
far forth as his Office aud functions GO,
God. Men speak sometimes OF God 8
Vicar general. He has none-neither
in King, nor Pope, nor Democrac'es.
Gods vicar is goyernment-all govern
ment. Just as the simplest, as well as
the most complex, processes OF nature
show forth the power and providence OF
God, so the hnmblest office bearer, en-
forcing the least of all laws that are IN
harmony with eternal righteousnessrep-.
rescnts the majority and authority OF
the divine government. The principle
and the obligation are the came, whelh-
or it be the President, The Governor,
the local magist rate, the marshal, the
college professor, the village school
mistress, the employer. In q word,
whatsoever bears rightful rule does, IN
his sphere, whether it be great or small,
represent God. And "whoso resisteth
The power" in things lawfully COM
inanded. rcsists God. Be it remember,
ed, furthermore, the obligation does not
depend upon the personal character of
the rulers. but upon the fact of their
authority. Nero was Emperor of Rome,
vet Paul commands obedience.
The right of amending bad laws, of
seeking, by right methods, to change
unsatisfactory administrations, or even
the right of revolution, all guaranteed
to our race by both the Scriptures and
sound reason, it is not needful to dis
cuss at this time But it may be re,
marked, that even revolution should
have this basis-that it seeks obedience
A.. l::l :, tho real law and which