The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1866-12-01

Ino mliu Weatner OF InurSday was more
like 'fickle, fooling April than November
The showers and the mud put damper upon
outdoor sports, with the exception of the pop
ular game Of Reconstruction, or Four months
after the Fire. The Butcher, the baker and
the candle-stick maker sat quietly in church,
or at home, waiting in placid anticipation for
ths well-basted turkey The masons, the car
penters and the joiners were busy all day long,
in spite of the proclamation. Many shops had
one shutter down in the forenoon, but had
mostly their trouble for their pains, customers
keeping resolutely aloof Religious services
were held in the morning at St. Lukes Church,
Chestnut Street, Park Street. High Street and
Congress Square, and in the evening at Casco
Street DR.. Shailer preached at Chestnut St.,
Rev. Mr.. Hayden at Park Street, and Captain
Dutton of steamship Hibernian, at the Casco
Street. The services in the other churches
were conducted by the Pastors
EB PARE STREET CHURCH t.
The services in Park Street Church. Thanks
congregations worshipping there. Rev. Mr..
Hewes being absent from the city, Rev. Mr.,
Hayden (Swedenborgian) oficiated.
After brief allusion to the many causes
for thankfulness presenting themselves in the
circumstances by which we are this year sur
rounded, the speaker announced, as the princi-
pal theme of his discourse, "The Age in which
we Live" as a reason for gratitude and praise
He called to mind the differences between
this and former times. The distance we have
travelled in one hundred years from the old
in ru1, io1, +o.IoJ
traded, legislated and worshiped, can now
with difficulty be realized. Some of the his
torians give us vived pictures of the social de-
fciencies and moral declension of the first
half of the last century. EtLaas f3a
He then drew contrast between that age
and the present, in which were presented
many striking particulars of the advantages
possessed in our times, beyond those of that
age.
The political power of Rome was described
as then ruling the world, and as Offering the
grand impediment in tho way of a healthful
progress. The nations that ackn nowledged her
sway had come to stand still.
But in 1857 her power was overthrown.-
Professionalism in Europe, in the East Indies,
and on the American Continent, gained such
immense successes, in that year, as to secure,
thenceforward, the predominance of liberal
ideas in the politics of the world Since then
the main stream of History has flowed in the
Protestant channel; and an Age, under the
blessing of God, of the most unexampled pros
perity, enlightenment and improvement has
been the result. ..sl r. sI ~.
The movement has spiritual cause and
meaning. Divine Providence intends good to
the human race, by the more perfect establish
ment of the Church, and the precepts of the
Gospel as the law of life. sEtRF
We ought to be thankful that our lot is cast
in this more happy Age Of freedom and relig-
ious liberation with greater means of purity
and happiness in our hands, and we ought to
live-to learn, act, and think SO as to keep on
the movement, and aid in bringing the glori-
GUS day pictured in the 22d Chapter of Reve-
lations, when the Divine Will will be done on
earth as it is done in Heaven Al p sil
The address was exceedingly able, and we
are happy to learn that, by request, Mr.. Hay
den has consented to repeat it, with some ad-
ditions, tomorrow evening in Park Street
Church. Mr.. Hayden always eliminates
whatever subject he discusses, and we have no
doubt he will have full house. geEzs
FIRST UNIvERsALIsT CHURCH. ana 4
At this church ritualistic service, appro-
pirate to the day was performed, Joined in by
pastor, choir and people. The sermon of the
pastor which, owing to the length of the devo-
tional services, was necessarily brief, did not
touch at all upon those exciting public ques-
tions which are usually made the subject of
Thanksgiving discourses. The theme of the
preacher was The elements of True Thankful
ness, which he found to be chiefly three, name-
ly: Thoughtfulness, Faith and Obedience.
Thoughtfulness to enable us to Judge rightful-
lp of the blessings of God, that our joy be not
the mere unrefecting gladness of child;-
faith which makes US to accept the sorrowful
as well as the joyful appointments Of the
Good Father as proofs of his loving kindness;
and obedience, which brings to the altar the
purest of all thank-offerings, life ordered in
accordance with the Divine Law. The subject
was handled with simplicity, force and direct
ness, and occasionally with eloquence. The
musical portion of the service at this church
was extremely beautiful and appropriate.
cAsco STREET CHURCH.
There is quite revival of religion in this
church, and the pastor, Rev. DR.. Graham, took
occasion to make the services appropriately
praise and Thanksgiving for spiritual and tenn
Il.