18 THANKSGIVING SERMON. Nothing disarms its fury or arrests its violence. And it is just as bad in nations as in men. It is less unseemly, because it has the mien of greatness ; it is less ignoble and condemned, because it is more splendid. It seems to savor of a generous patriotism, but it sets up only the phantom of national glory. It amuses and dazzles, and the giddy and unthinking follow it as they do the path of the meteor. The “Most High, who ruleth among the children of men,” forbids this spirit. “ Cursed is the man,” says he, “ that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm.” He calls it idolatry when we thus “ sacrifice to our own net, and burn incense to our own drag.” It is the spirit which he hates, and is determined to abase. There is no lesson in his Word more obvious than this. There is nothing in his government of the world which he is so se*t on humbling as this pride of man. He has read the lesson so often in order that “ no flesh should glory in his presence,” and he will read it again from the stormy sea, from the angry heavens, and from the lurid battle-field. It is this self-glorying spirit which banished angels from their thrones; which kindled the flames
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