Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1880-12-25

entire dependence IS stated by st. Paul
in his discourse to the Athenians: ''In
Him we live, aud move, and have our
being" A very large part of the Scrip
lures is made up of different statements
of this truth. In every aye inspiration
has been al infinite pains to teach men
the truth and reality of their entire de-
pendence upon God for all things.
| Thousands Of texts might be brought
forward in confirmation of this state
ment, and in illustration of this truth.
Have we life, health, place, food, raiment
homes, friends, civilization, grace, relig-
ion--any blessing of any kind, for cur
bodies orour souls, for this world or the
next! Then it is Gods free and graci-
Gus gift. 1t is the expression ofhis faith
erly love for us his children. If our il :
ustry has been blessed, it is Gods bless
ing; if our friends have done US good,
they are Gods providential ministers to
lis. The Old Testament writers recog-
nize the divine hand in every blessing;
the Psalms of David, aud of every other
good mapct every nation, are full of it.
Our Lord Jesus teaches it in discourse
and parable-above all, in his mighty
works and migh,ier life. He calls upon
the lilies of the valley and the sparrows
Of the house-tops and the fieldsto make
plainand sure to us the doctrine of the
infinitely gracious, all-wise, and embra-
cling provide nee ofGod.
Let as consider brie fly our special oh
legations TO be grateful 10 God.
waive, at this time, any discussion
of those obi gations that are common to
all men-as the gift Of life: the constant
providences that bring us blessings ey-
cry day and hour; above all, the gift of
Jesus Christ and his gospel, bringing
life and Immortality to light. This
morning let me mention some consider
atoms that should influence US, as citi-
zens Of these United States, at this time
to thanksgiving, and especially as resi-
dents of that section of the country that
is known as "the South
/. We should thank God that ours is
a Christian nation. Granting all that
may be said of the wickedness that is
in the land, it is still true that in its in
situations and over ruling spirit, this is
a Christian nation.
2. That our country is at peace, and
that it is not threatened with war.
3. That we have passed through the
quadrennial convulsioE incident to the
election of President so quietly and safe
w.. And we should be thankful that
the election is so pronounced that the
! country is saved from the strain of six
months debate and conflict, such as we
had four years ago, TO settle the question
of the Presidency. Although nearly
half of the people have been disappoint-
ed in the result of the election, still no
sane man can doubt whether General
Garfield has been elected President of
the United States.
T. That we have had sc clean and
able an administration during the last
four years.
). That the general business interests
of the whole country are so prosperous.
! / come noW TO mention some reasons
uhy ire of she South" should both
"thnnk God and take courage"
may possibly (but trust noD speak
nf some things that on may not relish,
and advance some views that you may
not approve. If so, ! only ask fair
and reasonable reflection upon them. If
,,,,, ,l,nll condemn thau | have left
me at least the satisfaction of being
quite sure that am right, and that, if
You live long enough, You will agree
with me. And first We OF the South
have great reason to he thankful TO
Gcd that we are in all respects so well
of; and that, too, so soon after so great
war, so complete an upturning Of our
, Institutions, so entire All overthrow OF
our industries, So absolute defeat of
our most cherished plans. Recall brief
" the last twenty years. Think OF what
! wc were in 1860 and in 1865. Then
look about you and see what we arc in
| 1880 What was thought after AppOrat-
,ox and April, 1865, by our people as
TO the prospect before us ? Some of you
can recall the forebodings of that time
rs to the return of business prosperity,
the restoration and preservation Of civil
and social order among ourselves, and
the restoration of our relations to the
Union.
You know how many of our best and
bravest left our section forever in sheer
despair. Behold now what wonders
have been wrought in fifteen years!
l. Considering where and what we
were fifteen years ago, considering the
financial commissions and panics that
have swept over our country during that
time-I might say, that have disturbed
the civilized world-our industrial and
financial condition to-day ismarvelously
good. 1t is not true, as certain croak-
ers and "Bourbons," tioated from their
mcorings by the rising tides of new and
better ideas, are so fond of saying, that
The South is getting poorer every day.
These croakings are not only unseen
ly; they are false in their statements as
they are ungrateful in their sentiment.
A right study of our tax returns will
show that there Is life and progress in
the South. But statistical tables are not
the only witnesses in such case. Let
people use their own eyes Here is this
one fact-the cotton crop, as an eX
poncnt of the power Of our industrial
system. In 1879 we made nearly five
million bales; in 1880 it is believed that
we will make nearly six million bales.
We never made SO much under the old
system. 1t is nonsense to talk of a