[from the Church Intelligences.]
appropriate Advice.
Offered on board of the Confederate States' steam frigate.
Virginia, in grateful acknowledgment to Almighty God for the distinguished victory gained in Hampton Boards on Saturday and Sunday the 8th and 9th days of March, 1862. These services of praise and grateful adoration were performed on the gun deck of the steamer at the request of the officers and crew — all hands being there assembled — at 11 o'clock M. Monday, March 10th, by Rev. J. D. Wingfield, Assistant Sector of Trinity Church, Portsmouth, Va.
The Address
My Brave and Distinguished Friends:--It there be an emotion in the soul of man more prominent or more esteemed among men than another, it is that of deep and earnest gratitude for blessings vouchsafed.--it is that one universal thread which binds all hearts in one--uniting that one to the Heart of Him who waits the Enthroned Potentate of the Universe. If ever there was a time which called loudly for the exhibition of this holy emotion, it is the great and illustrious present.--If ever there were individuals, or a people who should anxiously desire to manifest it in words and deeds, by some public and appropriate exercise, you are the men, tos, the citizens of the Confederates of America, are the people. The present is undoubtedly an occasion, when, after some special manner, we should render to Him who presides over the destinies of nations, and who is the Sovereign Ruler of events, the sacrifice of praise and grateful adoration. For, over and above the ordinary occurrence of this most wicked and unrighteous war, which call forth our gratitude to the Great God of Heaven and Earth, this is a signal merely — an extraordinary, if not miraculous, deliverance. And as we set up in conspicuous place the statues of heroes and of patriots who have well deserved the praise and honor of their fellow-country men, thus upholding their memory to future generations and inciting others to imitation of their various deeds, just so should we as it were, in the loftiest and securest apartments of the soul, erect mementoes of the gradions dealings of a kind and watchful Providence, in order that our spirits, surveying the brilliant record of past distinguished services, may be kept always attuned to-gratitude and praise. Then undoubtedly, as we have already stated, the mercy for which we are at this time assembled to express our gratitude with the voice of praise and thanksgiving, deserves to be classed amongst the special and extraordinary mercies of God.When, a few days ago, at the suggestion of our highly esteemed president, we observed a day of solemn fasting, humiliation and prayer, on account of our recent disasters, men's hearts sank within them, and there was dread at every throb of the electric wire lest it should bring to us fresh tidings of disaster and defeat. We had heard of the surrender of our little army and the destruction of a portion of our inadequate fleet at Roanoke, and dispatches from the far West were sadly discouraging. Truly were our hearts down cast and disquieted. But now! now! --How suddenly all is changed! The sunshine of a favoring Providence beams upon every countenance! Our arms have been marvelously crowned with success! A handful of men, as the were, have defeated thousands! Heroes have suddenly arisen, who have made themselves names high up on the monument of time, which shall never, never die! Officers and crews have alike shown themselves equal to the most fearful emergencies! And the happy result is that the fierce weapons of our insolent foes are broken; the enemy's mighty ships are spoiled; our long blockaded fort is once again thrown open, and our hearts are filled with joy and gratitude at the great and glorious victory!
And now the question arises, Whom are we to thank for all this? Doubtless I may take upon myself the liberty of expressing, on the part of the people, their acknowledgments to you, individually and collectively, for this distinguished and valorous deed. Our Government cannot be too lavish in tendering their thanks, and the thanks of the nation, to the wise and gallant men who, by their undaunted bravery and their prudential counsels, and by their unhesitating devotion to their country's sacred cause, have rolled back the tide of invasion from our immediate shores. But Thine Hand, O. Lord God Almighty! and Thine alone, bath really brought about this happy result. Thine, O. Lord, is the Greatness! Thine, O. Lord, is the Power Thine, O. Lord, is the Victory! Thine, O. Lord, is the Majesty! And therefore are we now assembled to bring before the Lord our God the tribute of our thanksgiving and praise.
I invite you, therefore, my brave friends, without any further remarks, to join me in this act of gratitude to the Almighty, Who, has given you the opportunity to render such distinguished service to your country, and to the cause of Justice and true Liberty. Lift up your hearts in sincerity and truth, that the words of your mouth may be acceptable in the sight of the Lord and Saviour and Redeemer. In His infinite goodness and mercy, the most blessed and glorious Lord God has preserved your life from every harm. When death-shots were falling around upon you thick and fast and heavy. He rescued you from the jaws of fearful destruction. Let us, therefore, humbly present ourselves before His Divine Majesty, to offer the sacrifice of grateful praise and adoration, remembering in your prayers your own individual preservation, and forgetting not the suffering of your wounded officers and companions in arms, and the sorrows of the afflicted relatives of those who have gallantly fallen upon the altar of their country.
Here upon followed suitable prayers — original and from the Prayer Book — of thanksgiving for the victory; of supplication in behalf of the wounded and the afflicted relatives; and a general prayer in behalf of the Confederate States, their rulers, and their valiant men of war: all calling upon their knees, and bowing their heads in reverence and godly fear. During this solemn and impressive scene, and while the earnest voice of the young divine was pouring forth eloquent words of gratitude and praise into the ear of the Lord God of Sabbath, the weather-beaten faces of many of the gallant seamen were observed to be bathed in tears and trembling with emotions. Surely, I thought, as I turned away from such an affecting sight, God cannot refuse to accept such an act of thanksgiving; our cause cannot but prosper, when the men who are engaged in it recognize the hand of the Almighty in each event, and trust entirely to His guidance, and protection, and blessing.
