Discourse Delivered Before The Congregational Society

izcd the people, the desolations of war in other sections, the demands it has made ami yet makes for money and men, keep this great si niggle ever before our minds in the midst of our festivities. While, therefore, we give thanks from truly grateful hearts for all those things of which mention has been made, while as yet a degree of uncertainty overhangs some of the issues of this war, taking things as they now appear, it seems to me, that it may add to the depth of our thanksgiving to reflect upon the good which is apparently springing up out of this great struggle. You are aware of the original application of the text announced : The people which sat in darkness, by the merciful interposition of God, were caused to sec great light, deliverance from evil, salvation. It is not the only time that (tod has brought light out of darkness, good out of evil. This is done now. Before I proceed to state what the good consists of, it is necessary to say a few words in regard to the desirableness of nationality. The founders of our government met, as they declared, for the purpose of establishing a more perfect union. Their aim was nationality. I hey had felt the evils of the slight tie which bound the States together. They sought to produce a nation out of the disconnected elements at their hand. I hey did this because all history and experience taught them that

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