[this] past year do we not now witness in this place the operations of this grace upon some of our neighbors and nearest friends?  Are there not some who one year since lived as if there were no heaven or hell no soul to save or lose but who now have a new song put into their mouths, ever a song of redeeming love?  Are there not some within the sound of my voice who feel, although they have lived many years, that this is not the first annual Thanksgiving in which they have had one truly grateful feeling to God?  O if they have indeed passed from spiritual death into life and become new creatures during the past year what abundant cause have they this day to serve the Lord with gladness- to come before his presence with singing- to enter his gates with thanksgiving and into his courts with praise! and to enquire with the Psalmist what shall we render unto the Lord for all his benefits towards us?  We will taste the cup of salvation and call upon the name of the Lord.  We will pray our vows unto the Lord now in the presence of all his people.  O sing unto the Lord a new song: for his right hand and his holy arm have gotten him the victory.

     Such my brethren are the works of God.  And with what emphasis may we say- O Lord how manifold are they works- in wisdom hast thou made them all.  And how interesting the thought