6 THANKSGIVING SERMON. nally-punished people. The weeping prophet was worn out with sorrow; their sins and desolations had well-ni^h exhausted his griefs, and he exclaims,“ O that my head were waters, and mine eyes a fountain of tears, that I might weep day and night for the slain of the daughter of my people!” In the midst of all these visitations they were a proud and selfglorying nation. Their history was little else than the narrative of their progress and splendor ; and it was to the last degree difficult to persuade them that the land once so pre-eminent in arms and physical resources would be the prey of a foreign power; once so distinguished for its luxuriant fertility should ever become “a desolation, and an astonishment, and a curse.” Among other sins, therefore, the prophet was directed to rebuke their national egotism and vanity. The pre-eminence they had gained they felt wise enough, and strong enough, and wealthy enough to defend and maintain. The thoughts suggested on the present occasion must necessarily be modified by events that are passing around us. The melancholy conflict in which we are engaged is full of danger; we need the shield and buckler of an
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTM4ODY=