Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1894-11-28
THANKSGIVING DAY.


Tomorrow will be Thanksgiving
Day by the Proclamation of the Presi-
dent of the United States and the
Governor of Virginia, and will be OBJ
served accordingly by appropriate re
ligious services in this city and through
out the State and nation. We publish
the paper this week as Thanksgiving
number. In addition to the matter
referring to thanksgiving published on
the first page, we give the following
communication by Rev. Moses ID.
Hoge, D. D., written specially for the
Richmond Dispatch:
RIGHTEOUSNESS EXALTETH A NATION.
The call for Thanksgiving antedates
the Declaration of Independence, the
discovery Of America, or the proclama
ton of any president or king.
1t is found in the most ancient and
sacred of all records; it comes from the
source of all authority it is based on
the relations of the creature to the
Creator, on the obligations of the in
finitely obliged to the Supreme Bene-
factor. The motive and the inspiration
which prompts to universal thanks
giving is the assurance that every
sincere expression of gratitude is ac-
ceptable to Him who declares, Whose
offers praise glorifieth Me-"
When our gratitude becomes too full
for repression and breaks forth into
adoring homage, our worship is not
only acceptable to God, but fills the
heart of the worshipper with the
purest happiness. Other acts of devo-
ton remind us of our infirmities and
sinfulness. When we make confession
and implore pardon we are conscious
of quiet, but when love casts out fear
and impels to Thanksgiving and praise
we rise to communion and fellowship
with the forgiving Father, and become
partakers of His joy. Other duties
will terminate. In the heavenly world
there will be no occasion for penitence
and confession, but praise will never
cease, and will constitute the chief ele-
ment of the worship of the redeemed
and glorified.
The propriety of the appointment of
day of general thanksgiving becomes
obvious when we remember that the
services in our churches on each Sab
bath chiefly interest the denomina-
tions represented by these churches,
and the people who have been trained
habitually to worship in them. 1t is
well, therefore, by some public call,
published everywhere, to remind all
men of their obligation, irrespective OF
any UNCONVENTIONAL ties, to render
homage to the High and Mighty Ruler
of the Universe, in accordance with
the twice-repeated injunction of the
psalmist:
"Let all the people praise Thee, o, God
Let all the people praise Thee"
The sentiment of such call and the
good ends to be secured by a right re-
spouse to it are well expressed by the
President, when he enumerated the
blessings for which we should give
thanks and the objects for which
prayer should be offered. such as the
quickening of the national conscience
to a better recognition of the power
and goodness of God, that in our ma
tional life we may clearer see and
closer follow the path of righteous
ness"
Such proclamation appeals both te
piety and to patriotism, and reminds
all the citizens of this great land thai
piety is the truest inspiration and safe
guard of patriotism that neither just
laws, nor free institutions, nor extent
of territory, nor fleets. nor armies, mol
inexhaustible material resources secure
prosperity and happiness to people
but that righteousness exalteth ma
, tion," and lays the only firm founda
ton for its permanent safety, honor
and glory. All this is in accordance
with the emphatic declaration of the
Father of His Country, who, in hi
farewell address, asserted that "of al
the dispositions and habits which leat
to political prosperity, religion an(
morality are Indispensable supports
In vain would that man claim the
tribute of patriotism who should labor
to subvert these great pillars of human
happiness" Let our observance of the
day be in harmony with these vita
principles.