Year: 1878

our hard times, England's great states
man, Gladstone, says, that "As a Nation
we are out.slripping the mother country,
with sure and rapid pace" We have In
ourselves the basis Of recuperation from
our depressing circumstances, such AS
scarcely any nation ever had. We have
not only our mines, and our manutacto-
ries-which are rapidly becoming fully
equal to those Of other lands-but more
especially, We have our great territory,
with its productive SOIL This is to be
the solution Of our "labor question"-the
most difficult question Of the present day.
Although relief may come too slowly,
and many may be too slow in seeking IT,
vet it lies ut our door in the shape OF vast
and rich lands. which invite all the Idle
ones to come unto them.


In this week OF thanksgiving we should
all bless God that when He led men, in


His province to unfurl banner of liberty,
a banner which would attract and charm


millions from other landslide led them
to 4 continent as vast, and as rich As the


liberty. There Is one single State on the


Cult, which could furnish happy homes
to ten millions of our poor. We may
we'll thank God that our labor question
comes to us in 4 rich, unoccupled cohti.
nent, and not to prisoners in an lslahu
or desert For now, when the oMer
forms Of industry are failing to oHer
work to all, the silent west speaks ana
offers labor aud support to millions upon
millions of these human souls. 1t IS
necessary only that fashion should
change, and that young men, instead OF
crowding into a few pursuits. which are
already over. crowded., should learn to
see in agriculture sure road to home
and independence. And not only 80, but
this coming farm, with its power to take
Young men awav from temptation and
give them an honorable independence,
is to be means of reformation as we'll
as of livelihood. Lo! there is silver
edging to this dark cloud.


We may be greatly encouraged also by
the history of England. We come from
her stock. And the hard times which
the English nation have passed through,
are an encouragement to us. There have
been times of financial depression in
England greater than were ever known.
There have been times in her history
where bribery was almost the law, and
honor was the exception. There were
times of turbulence and outrage. There
were times when the most gigantic spec
ulations and frauds have been carried on
by the rich at the expense OF the poor
All these things have existed in the
English Nation and it has overcome
them. And we are of that nation. We
shall overcome. There Is recuperative
energy in the stock.


TO come nearer home. While our
principal crop has failed us-yet we have
great cause for thanksgiving to-day.
The failure extended over small area
only, so that on the whole, provisions
are abundant, and prices are low, and
even in our own vicinity-with the ex-
ception named-the season has been most
propitious. There is no need that any
should suffer for want of food. It is
very doubtful whether another State In
the Union has more cause for gratitude
than our own. While some sections of
our land have been afflicted with plague,
and others with food, we have been
spared. No food or tornado, or epidem-
ic has desolated our state; famine has
not wasted US at MONDAY, nor has
pestilence walked among us in darkness.
In its fu.lness and beauty, health has
been the heavenly boon of our people.
81 that even in these hard times, our
affections are not one In thousand to
our blessings Then let US thank God
to-day for mercies we enjoy as indlvid-
uals, as community, and as Nation.
We all sorely needed day which should
commend US to look for few hours
upon the bright side.


Once reflect that ''life is more than
meat, and the body more than raiment,"
and you will be unable to find the limit
of your Indebtedness. Once recognize
the fact that the Lord is paramount, and
your lips can hardly cease to speak your
thanks. For despite the disasters that
have fallen on US, the foundations of lite
are undisturbed. The laws of the Un-
iverse are still on their eternal throne.
Truth is still truth, fair and glorious as
at the first, and love still presides over
the world. You and may be in humble
homes and Of heavy heart-but the
Nation is moving along, with education
and religion, and all industry in its arms.


So my friends, with quickene'l thank
fulness and strengthened faith, let US 60
our way. I have given you only history
and ensamples. Let your thoughts out
run my words. For be assured the deep
er and wider your reflections, the greater
will be your gratitude to God. Let US
take survey so broad that we shall be
ashamed of our complaints, and that we
can bring to God sincere gratitude to.
day. God will do all things we'll. He
has passed Infinite laws and he executes
them in love. They will carry US ten.
derly if we are loving children. And
having come to the confines of this world
He will open the gate to better country.
And we shall take our places with those
who have "come up out of great tribula.
tion and washed their robes and made
them white in the blood Of the Lamb"