Year: 1861




wicked system Of ohattel slavery. Aud iu this
'pluiou believe you will ali substantially agree.
cannot In single discourse give all my reasons
'or this judgment. But in what have already
'ald will be found reasons perhaps sufficient with
al my auditory. If not you can scarcely go
amlss OF them. Now what wish to add is this
ii American slavery threatens he destruction
OF the American republic, then we must threaten
~ and u the last must come down that the first
may flourish and grow strong then let us seize
the glttiering weapon so long laid at its root
and strike the ponderous blows in quick sue
cession and down let the Upas come, though the
crash OF its downfall be oil the louder by reason
of the fearful height to which it has grown.


Dsspotism ever lies in wait for the hazards
by which liberty is surrounded And il is GER
tain that if Republican liberty does not hold pos
session on this soil, despotsm will and if the one
does not continue TO lead forth her bright &C.
raphic train in glad and beautiful procession to
chant the songs of freedom and of hope for the
race, the other will marshal his grim hosts aud
scourge the hapess millions ia chaius with lashes
oil scorpions, while in the gloomy roll of linger-
lug centuries the hills and the valleys Of this fair
heritage will echo the wall of stricken ones under
the iron heel of the oppressor. What | now
speak In theory will have sadly passed into
Veritable history. Mark my words my hearers
good men must think of these things, and not





blind them to such great issues II we must
prove atresh our title to freedom aud free insti-
tutions, let us prove ourselves worthy Of our
sires.


Are the circumstances under which we meet
io-dhy, Inconsistent with the giving Of thanks to
u0d Will the song of grateful praise rise dis
eordant with the hour? We will not believe this.
Listen to the assurance of our God 81 know
the thoughts that think toward you, thoughts Of
peace and not of evil, to give you al expected
end On no similar day, within our menorr.
nave we had greater occasion for thanksgiving
and praise. We are, II is true, ia the midst of
a great conflict, conflict perhaps migher,
where more important interests for our race are
pending, than any since the world began its
course. Aud looking down into this vast arena,
the world are our witnesses. Is IL not something
to be thankful for, that we should be permitted
to engage in this grand struggle for liberty and
righteous government, against slavery and des-
pousmy What true man is there whose soul
does not swell within his bosom, that he is count
ed worthy of taking some humble part in a strife
80 big with the fate OF a continent yea, with the
fate OF his race?


We will give thanks that through all the yicis-
situdes of the year we have been preserved in
liie, and that to-day we are permitted to meet in
our quiet sanctuary, with none to molest us or
make us afraid. Many as good aud true nnd
loyal as we, are deprived of such privilege
We give thanks that the year past has been one
OF the most healthful on record and while here
anu there the death messenger has swouped
down and borne away his victims, the 'pesti-
thence hath not walked in darkness, nor "je-
struction wasted at noon-day" Let US here also
drop our tears Of sympathy with those bereaved
by natural sickness, and the cruel and merciless
weapons of war.


Let us give thanks that the early and the lat.
ter rains have been given, and the earth has
bountifully brought forth her "fruits for the cat
tie and herb for the service Of man." remember.
lng that no nation on earth is 80 well clothed and
led as we. And while we mourn over the desc
lations of war, and leplore the occasions of it.
let us give thanks, that in the kindly providence
OF tod, II was not precpitaled upon us unti we
were prepared to meet the responsibilities Of it.
II might have been far otherwise. AT any pc
Rod before the present, we should not have been
so ready for it. Though the plots and machiua.
tions of traitors, who were drawing their daily
supplies from the treasury Of an unsuspeoting
nation, were gigantic and long proiracled, yet 50
iasoIably was the course of providence ordered.
we were saved from the ruin they sought to
bring upon us, Let us thank God that when at
last the time of trial came, and the nations life
was trembling in the balance, He brought out
the latent patriotism of these loyal States, aud
gave us II united people, causing the preiudices
-. ""N tHS ANHtiJ VI ihVUOu5 10 melt away
like frost work in an hour before the loftier and
nobler considerations OF country and of home
Thus lie disappointed the hosts of rebellion and
brought dismny into the ranks of treason, and
gave US hope. We are thankful, | trust. that
Whle there are tories still among us, as there
must always be counterfeit patriots where there
ls true patriotism, they are growing small bv
legrees and beautifully less" and we may safely
leave the most of them 10 " foam out their own
nd 10 ia.
whom, we believe TO be an honest man, in the
lhalr oil the Chief Executive of the nation-a
place where honesty has 80 long been at a large
llscount. bad occupant of that chair would
ruin u.s.


We ought to give thanks to-day, that in time
Tor safety we have had our eyes open to the ia
lal elements of destruction that have SO long
leld place in large number of the States of
Ihis Union, aud which, but for this timely dis.
iovery, would have surely whemed us into utter
extinction And if the Inauguration of this war
with all its mi cries. were necessary to bring
hese things up boldly to the surface, VIII ought
70 be thankful even for H. Better far better |
hat We should know the worst in time to pro
ride against it.


" Let not not any prince or State be secure
Conserving dieeontentments, because they have |
oeen oien, or have been long, and yet no peril |
hath ensue1.n**


Finally and chiefly, let us give thanks for the |
blessings of the gospel of Christ, and the oppor-
uniues OF probation, and the hopes of glory -
Never shall we know the full value of these pre-
nous gifts until time ID gone, aud we learn them |
lmong the mysteries of eternity.


My friends, as l look over the history of the
'ast and see how the good hand of our God has
,een upon us, am full Of hope for the futuae.
We have goody country. II is worthy OF our
'rayers, and our most manly and self sacrificing
u rtt Il
inuance. We surely cannot afford az we do
lot intend, TO let it pass over into the hands of
e' OF men who are already exhibiting to the
World the most shocking state Of morals and
utilization which nOminally christian peop Q
yer put upon record-worthy only of the times
Athla, the hun.ff II our day Of trinl and ca
lmity has indeed come, let us meet the issue
Ike men; let us, in Gods name, stand fast and
10 strong. do not believe 'this intentions to-
'ard us are evil, but good, /" and in due time, il
re do our duty, he will give US complete victory,
nd law and order shall reign again.


Let us know what we are contending for-et
s also remember that 'eternal vigilance il the
rice of liberty" and be ever ready 10 strive for
be principles once delivered to the fathers No
rent vital interests were ever yet committed to
nation OF people in trust for mankind, that did
OF put them upon an endless and unceaslng
atoh for the safety of the charge.


Bearing these things in mind and standing
Oddly forth on the line Of duty, putting our
rust not in Heshly arms, but in the strength of
40 Lord of Hosts who guided our ancestors
trough the fiery storm, we shall surely triumph.
nd our children will rise up and call us blessed
3 we do this day,
with the everlasting arms round about us and
le Mighty ohe of Israel holding our nations
estiny high above the floods, in the hollow of
is hand how can we fail Thus to succeed is
orthy fus, worth all our sacrifices and labors,
ar prayers and tears.
Let those who 0in, stand aside Let those
ho are willing to be neutral enjoy their nnen-
able distinction. Let the multitude il they
Ill, contomn us and turn in with the traitor