State Thanksgiving During the Rebellion

26 THANKSGIVING SERMON. are the habitation of his throne.” He is their refuge and strength, and they look to him for protection and safety, to plead and maintain their cause, to oppose, and confound, and destroy their enemies, because he “exercises judgment in the earth.” They direct their supplications to him, and “by terrible things in righteousness does he answer them.” His benevolent designs, his gracious promises can not be accomplished without affecting judgments. There are crises in the history of nations when an interposing' and punitive providence is necessary to his own wise arrangements. We may be brought low, but our help and our hope are in Him who not only exercises loving-kindness, but judgment in the earth. If there are those who wrong us, sooner or later they will complete the measure of their arrogance, and be made to feel the weight of his omnipotent hand. And what may more increase our hope and confidence is the assurance that he “ exercises righteousness in the earth.” He is quick to discern what is right and what is wrong. His moral rectitude was never tarnished by his approbation of wrong-doing. “ He is a Rock; his work is perfect; a God of truth and with­

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