St. Peter's Cathedral.
--The recommendation unanimously adopted by Congress at its session of Monday last, that all the Churches throughout the Confederate States would unite; on yesterday, in thanksgiving and praise to Almighty God, for our signal and glorious victory at Manassas, was observed with solemn and impressive ceremonies in the different Churches in Richmond. At St. Peter's Cathedral, the Rt. Rev. Bishop Magill preached on Divine Providence, drawing his arguments and illustrations from the events preceding and attending the great battles of the 18th and 21st. The Cathedral was crowded, some 300 soldiers forming part of the congregation. Among the latter we noticed one entire company from Charleston, South Carolina, consisting of one hundred and ten; all Irish adopted citizens and members of Bishop Magill's Church.When the eloquent Divine adverted to the vast preparation made for our subjugation — the vile emblems of degradation which were captured, namely; 30,000 handcuffs; and recounted some of the trying and thrilling incidents of the battle, and then asked, Did not an overruling and a merciful Providence interpose at this momentous and critical juncture, to nerve the arm and fire the hearts of our noble champions? an evident but suppressed sensation was perceptible throughout the crowded Cathedral. The soldier's bosom was seen to heave with mingled emotions of patriotism and indignation.
The invocation to his congregation to adore and glorify that merciful and benign Providence which has so far crowned our banners with victory, that it may still be our protection and our shield against an unjust, wicked and ruthless invasion, was a beautiful and impressive effort of Christian eloquence, imbued with the holy emotions of a lofty patriotism.
