Year: 1863

who can be against us? While there
are many things in our history and
character as nation, that may cause
us to mourn and feel alarmed lest the
judgments of God should come upon
us, yet there arc other things that
may inspire hope and for which we
may be thankful. Even in the midst
of this desolating war, a war ofmost
gigantic proportions, war that has
cost hundreds of thousands of lives,
hundreds of millions of treasure, there
are things which with gratitude we
we should remember for our encour
agement, and as an evidence that we
as n nation are not forgotten of God,
but that his hand is upon us for good,
and that after we have been severely
scourged for our sins, he will bring
us into large and wealthy place,
make us more mighty nation than
we have been, and prepare us to ac-
complish noble mission, for the
civil and religious good ofthe world.


We may be thankful that there is,
apparently, growing disposition to
acknowledge God in the affairs of
men and of nations. This principle,
in our great national prosperity and
corruption, has been in measure
forgotten, and God has not been ac-
knowledged and honored in the civil
and secular affairs of men. 1t has
been said that he has nothing to do
with men in these respects, but that
he deals with men only in religious
and ecclesiastical sense. This inf
del sentiment is being broken up and
scattered to the winds. The church
es are beginning to recognise God in
civil affairs. The chief magistrate
of our nation has, from the first ac-
knowledged his dependence on God,
and asked for the prayers of Gods
people. lie has also appointed days
of fasting and prayer, and thanksgiv-
ing and prayer, and the people at
large have respected these express
sions Of the President, more than in
former days. Business in our popu-
lous places has been suspended, and
the house Of God has been visited
with devout and humble worshipers.
This is favorable indication, one of
the promising signs Of the times.


Let the last veStiges Of infdelity be
put away from us as nation, and es-
pecially rs churches. Let God be
remembered in the councils of the
senate chamber, in the halls of leg
islation, and in the cabinet. Let his
wisdom and power be implored by
all that are in authority, and let God
fearing men be chosen for our rulers,
or to occupy places of responsibility
and trust. Then may we look for
the blessings of God upon us. With
nations as with individuals, the ma
tion that honors God, will be be hon
ored of God.


We may be thankful also for the
prosperity and plenty that has been
visited upon us. We have enough
for ourselves and families for our
armies; for the poor refugees fleeing
from oppression; and also for liber-
al donations for the poor of foreign
nations. We arc remote from the
desolating effects of the army, and
Notwithstanding all Of the heavy and
frequent demands made upon us, as
a people, we are getting rich and liv-
ing in the enjoyment of all the COM
forts and luxuries of life.


We may be thankful Mt the bright
ing prospects for the overthrow Of
one of the greatest ard most unright-
eous rebellions, that has ever occur
ed in the history of the world. The
mariner, after a dark and tempestu-
Gus night, rejoices in the first daw-
nings of the moring. SO we, though
clouds may be around us and above
us, and though many battles may be
before us, yet rejoice at the prospect
of the approaching end, indicated in
the surrender of Vicksburg, Port
Hudson, and the victories of Gettys-
burg. But we would not forget that
our cup ofrcjoicing is mixed with sor-
row, as we remember the thousands
Of brave men that have fallen, and
the thousands of hearts that bleed,
because a father, husband, q broth
er, OF son, has been slain, but we
may be thankful for every indication
of the approaching end. That blood
may cease to flow, and the sword
may be returned to its scabbard, or
be beaten into plow shares, and that
peace and order may be restored un-
to us, as in former days, and more
abundantly. For which let us all
humblyand devoutly pray, remember
ing that God delights to hear and
answer the prayers that are offered
according to his will.