The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1863-12-04
Thanksgiving Exercises.

On the Thanksgiving day of State and
national appointment religious services We're
held by the different societies in the two
towns, a general report Of which wo are able
to lay before the readers of the Journal:
CHURCH or THE ASCENSION, (CArnoLIc).
AT the Catholic Church, Rev. Eugene Vctro-
mile, Pastor. the very ancient and interesting
ceremony Of christening two bells, took place,
the first occurrence of this ceremony in this
State. The bell for the church in this city
measures 80 inches diameter, eight inches more
than the large Peppcrell bell, The smaller one,
weighing about 500 lbs, is for the Catholic
Church Of the Indians at 0ldtown, Rev. l..
VetrOmile being also their pastor. The exer-
cises consisted of the celebration of Mass by
Father Vo.romie. wbea the RI. Rev. David w:
Bacon, DID,, Bishop Of Portland, delivered
an eloquent and appropriate sermon explain
Ing the meaning of the ceremony. Among
other things he remarked that the voice Of the
bell. as an instrument wherewith to worship
God, was to remind the people of their religious
duties. As the prayers OF the just are repre-
sented in the Holy Scriptures rs the smoke
arising from the burning of incense and per-
fume, so they burned incense at the christcn-
ing as symbolical of the prayers that must
and the position of the bell in mid-air was, rs
1t were to offer the prayers Of the people to tho
Almighty. :,
The large bell was named Mary Joseph and
had FIVE god-fathers and five god.mothers.
These are, James Costello, James Berry, WIN.
Callahen, Daniel Buckley and John Charbo-
nellie; Misses Catherine Burns, Elizabeth Haisc,
Anna Hirey. Mrs. Mary Costello and Mrs Ju:
liza Charbonelle. The small bell was named
Mary Anna Joseph, and had for its godfather,
John Shean. and for its god-mother, Miss
Elisabeth Collins.
PAVILION CHURCH (3D CoSGREdATIoNALIsr).
The attendance ut the Hall, was good, and an
interesting discourse was preached by the pas
tor, Rev. Charles Tcnney, from Ps. 1856: 10
give thanks unto the Lord, for he Is good, for
his mercy cndureth forever.
IL was remarked, in introduction, that no
duty is so frequently enjoined in the Word OF
God as that of giving thanks. IL is well there
fore, in addition to other occasions. that one
day in the year should be whoiiy devoted to 1t.
Two prominent considerations were named as
enforcing this duty.
LIST That it is the tribute from man which
God most prizes. Who as heavenly Father
most values thankful love from those whom he
has nourished and brought up rs children,
3D. That man is himself most blessed in otter
lightful of emotions, AMI absolutely necessary
to the true and full enjoyment of any gift.
Some hiadrances TO proper thanksgiving
were named.
lst The not seeing of Gods hand in all his
gifts.
I'd. A disposition to look rather upon what
was lacking than upon what was possessed.
Sd. A disposition to substitute general ac-
acknowledgement that God is the giver Of all good
things, in the place of specific Thanksgiving to
him for those good things.
Singing by the members Of the Sabbath
School was most pleasant addition to the 9TH
or services Of the occasion.
2SD PARISH CHURCH (CoSGREdArIoNIsr).
The Methodists, Calvinst Baptists and F.W.
Baptsts united with this congregation, and their
united choirs rendered several anthems and DR..
Muhlenburg's National Hymn with the spirit
and the understanding. Rev. Messrs; Stevens
and Woman assisted in the devotional services
of the pastor, Rev. c. Packard, who preached
from Is. 10: l-Howbeit he meaneth not so,
neither doth his heart think so.
The preacher considered the text as referring
to Sennacherib. the king Of Assyria, who while
free and voluntary in all his conduct, was an
unconscious instrument in the hand OF God of
accomplishing his purpose to punish his chosen
people for their sins.
The preacher nppncu TINS pasSaSe 10 OoW wv
parties to the war, neither of them understand
ing at the outset the purpose of the Almighty
to overthrow American slavery, and announced
the topic of his discourse to be, "1he PROFIT
deace Of God as illustrated in the present cirti
lcar." AS the discourse was mainly an hstor-
ical one, and presented q great number OF facts,
we can only present the points that were dis
cussed The Providence of God was to be rec.
osnised, u) in the fact that the rebellion did
not succeed at the outset /; (2) that the victori-
Gus army OF the rebellion did not Mt once cap.
ture Washington after the first battle OF Bull
Run; (3) in the ayerting OF foreign interven-
ton; as in not allowing this contest to be ter
minated until the public mind is fully prepared
for Emancipation; (5> in everything for good
the remarkable obstinacy of the rebels, that has
prevented them thus far from ut,ering word
of submissions; 10y in changing the public mind
in regard to the negro himself, the innocent
occasion of the war; and lastly, in giving us
so honest and wise ruler rs Abraham Lincoln.
After the discourse collection, amounting
to gao. was taken up in behalf of the "Chris-
tan Commission.