DISCOURSE. MATTHEW IV. 16. THE PEOPLE WHICH SAT IN DARKNESS SAW GREAT LIGHT. One great charm of our Thanksgiving Day is that it is not a creature of the Written Law, but of the unwritten law of public sentiment. The law does not command, but public sentiment requires it. No governor of a loyal State would venture to refuse its appointment. A thanksgiving day should be a day of rejoicing before God ; in bringing to remembrance his kind acts in our behalf ; in making mention of his goodness, and ascribing to him the praise due for all which makes our lives pleasant. It is doing what the sweet Psalmist of Israel so much desired men to do : “ O that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, for his wonderful works to the children of men.” The causes for thanksgiving are so numerous, that one who attempts to rehearse them is embarrassed by their very multitude. In his proclamation, our Governor invites us to give thanks “for the fruitfulness of the year; for the plenty which everywhere abounds; for the prosper
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