Year: 1864

little time, TO some of the many thing,


for which we are called upon to day tc
"sing unto the Lord ioith hanksgiving,'


| mean those that are connected with ouI


great national calamity.


Perhaps there are some who feel like


the ancient jew when he exclaimed


show can sing the Lords song in a


strange land?' How can join in song


Of thanksgiving while this terrible ca


lamity of civil war is upon us J.? Better
"hang our harp upon the willows" till the


war tempest is overpast, and we behold
the brighter dawnings of peace.


And there are some individual hearts
which have made so costly sacrifices for
the blessings which, as nation we are
striving to defend and preserve and per-
petuate, that, notwithstanding their love
of country, Notwithstanding their high
regard for civil and religious liberty, and
the claims of God and humanity, for
which these noble sacrifices have been
made; Notwithstanding all this, when
they think how dear the price which they
have been called upon to pay for it,
thanksgtVings almost "languish on their
tongues"


And yet there are mercies mingled
with our institutions, which call loudly
upon oil for songs of thanksgiving to God.
True, We are in the midst, TO day, Of
fearful civil war. The terrible, cruel,
inhuman horrors of war, which we have
read about, but never dreamed would Wis
it our enlightened Christian shores, or
touch our peaceful home circles---has
verify come upon US. A rebellion which
we believe has no parallel in history for
wickedness, has now for more than two
years been doing its work And oh
what work ! Generations yet unborn
are to read the records of it with dismay.
And they are 10 draw from it sad, and in
struclive, and warning reflections upon
what a OrOng cherished by the people
may lead TO how sin anywhere "when
it is finished, bringeth forth DEATH" And
the sacrifices and snfferings of many
brave heroes on the battle field, and RVS
en- hearts OF affection at hou,e, aro 70 GIL
fearful pages in the history which is now
being written. The cry of our brothers
blood, true brothers, and brothers grown
unnatural and full of deadly hate--is
borne to US on every southern breeze
And more terrible, if possible, than the
roar of cannon, and the deadly encounter
Ct the battle field, is the cry for relief
which continues TO come from our suffer
ing soldiers at Richmond.


We do not forget all this. But yet
have we not, we enquire, many things
for which TO give thanks? ] think we
have. can mention but few on this oc-
casion.


And first, we have reason for thanks
giving to the Righteous Ruler of nations
for his gracious orderings Of the time

when this war came. | know this has
been frequently spoken of in its various
bearings and probable Consequences
And well it might be, for it is most re.
markable. SO remarkable that we can
not fail to see the good hand of God in it.
And in it is sort of show of promise"
that this war shall! be for our correction,
and not for our destruction.


Suppose the blow at Fort Sumter,
which was the signal for bloody conflict,
had been struck few years sooner
Suppose it had been when that man oc-
cupied the presidential chair who was so
eminenily'a tool in the hands of those
from whom the barbarous war whoop at
length came. And why was it delay ed ?
Delayed till one got hold of the reins of
government whose cool head and true
heart, and honest patriotism gave such
assurance to the people in their sudden
rally for defence, as perhaps no other
man in the land could have done God
marked the time, and God had for US, the |
man. Had it come little sooner, great
er vantage ground, we must believe,
would have been gained to treason and
if our dearest liberties had been saved at
all, il must have been at the cost of more
bloody strife even than that which is now
saving them. The scenes of conflict, |
think, would have been transferred 10
more northern sections of the country,
instead of being confined as they have
been, in their wasting and home desola-
ting effects, to save their soil. And why
was it delayed? 1t seems an oversight
on the part of the leaders of the rebel
lion. But God held back the hand ready
to strike. There can be no doubt bu, the
leaders of the rebellion bad been plan
ming for years to bring about that which