The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-11-30
THE GRAND CIVIC SABBATH.
Addresses Delivered by the Rev. Alfred
COOkman and the Rev. James NeiIl, In
the Spring Garden street Methodist
Episcopal Church.


Episcopal Church.
The church at the corner of Twentieth and
Spring Garden streets yesterday morning was
the scene OF services very appropriate 10 the
day. Owing TO illness, the pastor, Rev. Alfred
CUokman, had been unable to prepare regular
sermon for the occasion, bat he addressed his
audience with some well-tmed and eloquent
remarks and was followed by the Rev. james
Neiil.
Mr.. Cookman in the course of an impressive
prayer which preceded his address, thanked
God Tor the past hve years of our national his
tory, more especially that He had in His own
way, which we now see was the best way,
smtten him who had been the divider OF house.
holds OF great political parties, OF benevolent
institutions. and ofGhrstiau churches, thereby
rendering our national compact more glorious
in the future than it has been IN the past.
REV. ALFRED CooKMANs ADDRESS
was substantially as follOWs:-This is our
annual civil Sabbath, the day on which we
abanOon our temporal and secular pursuits, in
order that we may give ourselves up to prayer
and praise. 1t IS custom beautiful in itself
and in its observance. Ii had its origin in New
England, and 1t is not the first good thing
either that has been gwen birth 10 there. In
the fact OF its naturalization we rejoice, because
OF its nationaliZlng effect, and because 1t demon
strates that ours is in 50 far religious nation.
1t is devout recognition OF the authority and
power of Almighty Coda confession that our
unmerited blessings proceed not from the blind
forces OF nature, but from the Author AID Giver
OF every good and perfect git.
We are specially reminded of our national
blessings as a cause of thanksgiving on this,
our civil Sabbath When we look abroad over
the vast extent and eXhaustless resources of our
COuntry-a land crowned with peace after the
Convulsions OF the last five years-a land un.
paTalleled in lis past progress, and so full of
blessed promise in the future, each one OF lis
will feel inclined to employ the word: OF
SCIipture:-'The lines are fallen unto me in
pleasant places; yea, have goodly heritage -
On this occasion it Is fitting that we should
observe the recommendations OF our civil autho-
rites, and bring 10 Christian altars hearts full
OF praise and thanks. At this moment thou
| sands-ay, millions-of people OF all races and
| colors are engaged in TINS solemn service. And
| II all this multitude could be gathered together,
| the spectacle would be one of surprising gran
| deur. But notwithstanding this, our nation is
far rom being perfect in the sight OF God, whose
sacrifices are a broken heart and a contrte
| spirit Two evils seem specially patent, over
which We should now mourn. one is the deep
! rooted prejudice which pervades the minds of
| many against certain class OF persons, simply
| because of the color OF their skins. A great
| people, located in our midst by the Providence
| OF God, and certainly commended to our sym.
| pathies, are still subject to a spirit of caste.
| which would exclude them from the privilege OF
| rioing in our street cars, which would consult
the Interests OF those whose hands are dyed
! with our blood while II ignores the right to the
| elective franchise Of those VINO have belrten0ed
us on all occasions.
| The other wrong which il behooves us TO
| lament rs the disposition 20 extravaganza winch
| surrounds us, with the needy in tul view, and
winter OF hardship just before US. Is this
| night? Is this Christian Is 1t not right that
| We should ask ourselves whether this eXtraVa-
| 9ance Will be Tor the honor and glory OF God
| But Il is not only right that we should Join in
| Thanksgiving and penance on This occasion; it
| is right that We should present ourselves afresh
| upon cur own counuy'3 altar in this country
! our Government Is OF and frCm the people, and
| il will be wise or vicious according az the
| people are wise or vicious,
| Let us, then tamiliariZe ourselves with our fun
! damental law, and with the principles of ponti-
cal economy, and we shall then be better able tC
| resolve to become practical men, desiring aud
| striving TO raise the nation nearer to truth anG
! nearer 70 God. Especially should we covenant
| together this mornng that we will be a religion,
people. II the BODY pOiItic Is concerned to dc
the WILL of Cod, the nation shall take rapid
| strides towards immortality. Let us resolve
then, that we will not have Union founded
| upon broken pledges, and tainted with the
blood Of our truest Irends-a union simply
OF the combined skulkers of the North and the
traitors OF the South. Let MS rather have a UnioI
without slave; ay, ana without tyrant too
Union in which every citizen shall have an
opportunity to develop his capacties-a UnioI
OF the true men OF the North and OF the South.
Let me eXhort you to bring to-day TO the alta
OF God this threefold otferng:-A heart full O
thanksgiving aud praise; spirit entirely
humble and broken; and q more thorough
conservation OF all our powers 20 the oaus
and welfare OF our common country. -
Surely, this win he regarded by our God as
tavorable and sweet smelling incense,