Year: 1863


ment, have recently returned to their
homes. If during their absence, the du-
ties assigned to them have not been diff
cult or dangerous, they have been none
the less necessary and honorable duties
and we have it as the Judgment Of in
spiraton itself, that "as his part is that
goeth down to the battle, SO shall bis part
be that tarrieth by the stuff" Our graf
itude on this day of National Tbanksgiv-
ing can not but be heightened by the spe-
cal motives which appeal to us as COM
munity.


Some practical considerations appro-
pirate to the occasion now demand our
attention, and they will be presented Ia
the same informal manner which has
characterized the preceding part of the
discourse, pursuing in some measure the
line of thought traced by the Presden--
tial proclamation. Both in The matter
and the manner of that document there
is much that is worthy of commendation
and calculated TO awaken thought. The
strong common sense which characterzes
all the Presidents writings is here hight
ened as well as chastened by being bro't
in contact with some of the most impor-
tant religious truths.


AT The very outset of the proclamation
there is an explicit recognition of the
power of prayer. "lt has pleased AL
mighty God" says the President, "to
hearken to the supplications and prayers
of an afflicted people" Such recogni-
ton, express or implied, OF the power of
prayer is necessary to an honest and sin
cere observance of day of tbsnksgiv-
ing. For if prayer by way OF petitions
for blessings desired is not heard and an
swered by God, there is no reason to sup
pose that prayer by way of thanksgiving
for blessings received will be heard and
accepted by Him. Our days OF fasting,
humiliation, and prayer on account OF our
national sins and calamities have been
mere mockery, unless we have believed
that man can have. power with God and
prevail. The innumerable prayers
which, since the commencement: Of this
war, have asceDded to heaven from thou
sands of pulpits, and tens of thousands
of family sltars, and hundreds OF thou
sands of Christian C close cts have been
wasted words If God does not hear aud
answerprayer. That our praying breath
has not been spent in vain, we must needs
believe unless we set at nought all the
declarations of the Scriptures as 10 the
vital connection between asking and re-
ceiving, between seeking and fnding.--
Gods purposes, indeed, have not been
altered by our prayers. He bad already
determined that what bad occurred should
take place when it did. But in SO deter
mining, He took into account the prayers
which he foresaw would be offered.


The history of the Jewish nation fully
proves that delverance from national ca
lamities is to be attained by prayer
Solomon, inspired by the Spirit of God,
prayed thus" If Thy people go out TO
war against their enemies by the way
that Thou shalt send them, and they pray
unto Thee then hear Thou from
the heavens their prayer aud their sup
plication, and maintain their cause. If
they sin against Thee, and Thou be an
cry with them and deliver them over be-
fore their enemies, if they return
to Thee with all their heart and soul,
and pray then hear Thou from
the heavens, even from Thy dwelling
place, their prayer and their supplcations,
and maintain their cause" God mani
Tested His approval and acceptance of
this prayer by sending down fire from
htafch W SOhSumO tuC cuCiiHCC WHICH
Solomon offered in connection with it,
AT later period God announced that
this principle of His government was not
applicable to the Jewish people alone, but
was of universal application. Any ma
ton which sincerely repents of its sins,
and, with true contrition and genuine
faith, implores deliverance from calamity,
has the promise that deliverance shall
come. AT what instant l shall speak
concerning nation, and concerning
kingdom, to pluck up, and to pull down,
and TO destroy il if that nation against
whom have pronounced, turn from their
vii, will repent OF the evil that l


bought TO do unto them." Let US never
ose sight OF the great truth, clearly
aught in these passages, and distinctly
'ecognized in the proclamation. Let US
tnsnk God that has heard and answered
.rayer. "Blessed be God, which bath


lot turned away our prayer, nor His


nrrcy from, US. Verify God hath heard