God Recognized | AdventAI

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Michigan · Apr 18, 1865

God Recognized.

It is to be very generally observed in all the rejoicings for the late Union successes, that God is recognized as the giver of all our victories. In the former part of this contest but very little was said about God in the matter, and the contrast between the language used to-day, and that of those days of peril and disaster, cannot fail to be noticed. It is right and appropriate that God should be recognized in the national gratitude; for he it is who has given the victory. But to see so general an acknowledgment from the official under his seal of authority, to the humblest citizen, is more than could have been expected.

The Chicago Tribune in its first jubilant announcement of Grant's victory, closed its remarks with the exclamation of "Glory to God."

Again in complimenting the different generals for their gallant services, it looks to a higher than any human arm, and ascribes the victory to them, only under Providence.

A prominent speaker in Detroit in a speech on the occasion of the public and impromptu rejoicings in that city, said:

"This is a day of delirious joy, and we do well to be glad. Richmond and Petersburg are ours, and Lee has surrendered. [Cheers.] How the heart leaps at the announcement, and with what grateful aspirations to Almighty God, who with us and on our side has at last guided our gallant hosts to the victory."

And this sentiment that Almighty God was the leader of the hosts to victory, was received by the assembled multitudes with cheers.

The Detroit Tribune speaks as follows:

"All hail, then, this last most glorious victory of all! All hail blessed Peace, which rises from her

long sleep to shelter the nation beneath her snowy wings! To God be the glory for the end that draweth nigh!"

The Secretary of War in a despatch to Gen. Grant says:

WAR DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON, Apr. 9—9:30 P. M.

To Lieut. Gen. Grant: Thanks be to Almighty God for the great victory with which he has this day crowned you and the gallant armies under your command. The thanks of this Department and the Government, and of the people of the United States—their reverence and honor have been deserved—will be rendered to you and the brave soldiers and gallant officers of your army, for all time. (Signed) E. M. STANTON, Sec. of War.