The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1867-11-30
sERyICEs IN VARIOUS CHURCHES.
Abstract of Sermons.
METHODIST.

RiNlIl VI. -. EHURCH.-Ine con-
gregation was not very large, the
church being about half full. Among
tie number present were members
from various other Churches in the
cry. The Pastor was assisted in the
services by Rev. J. G..White, formerly
Pastor of the Cumberland Presbyte-
rian Church in this city, who read
the hymns, seriptural lesson, and
offered up the opening prayer.
The choir sung Thanksgiving An
them, entitled 20, be joyful in the
Lord" The Introductory hymn was
the 1,O23 number" Eternal Song Of
Every JOY" The Scriptural Lesson
was the 92d Psalm. The second
hymn, number ISL" My Faith Looks
up to Thee &C., was sung to the
tune of America.
The Pastor, Rev. r. Andrus, an
nounced bis theme to be simply re-
view of the Presidents Proclamation.
He commenced by stating that the
present was the Sixth National
Thanksgiving Festival in our coun,
try's history, the first being appointed
by President Lincoln in 1862, in hon
or of important victories gained over
the rebellious enemies of the Govern
ment, unless a previous Thanksgiy-
ing, proclaimed by Washington, be
excepted, These annual proclama-
tions are but the exponents of the
public thought and heart-the clear
signatures of a, rising conscience
among the people. In looking over
the past year the people End abun-
dant occasion for acknowledgement
and gratitude. They recognize the
authority, superintendency, goodness
and actual bounty of God, in spite
of the atrocious wickedness in which
multitudes so openly indulge.
The speaker then proceeded to dis
cuss the first item of the Proclamar
ton, The occasion and grounds of
this Thanksgiving festival" quoting
from the Proclamation itself. He
accepted the Proclamation as a
statement Of facts. 1t were proper
to say that, Notwithstanding the
drought, the aggregate produce Of the
country is probably one-third, if not
one-half, greater than in any former
year of our history. New fields of
labor have been opened to our wood
men, from which they have FL ed the
shops of the artisans and made glad
millions Of hearts in well-construeted
homes. The artisan has had year
of unparalleled blessing-ships hav-
ing beer multiplied upon our rivers,
lakes and oceans; homes for the
people arise on all our corners-man-
sions dot our hill slopes and prairiesi
villages come up like magic, and. the
streets of cities rattle with hurrying
trade, where but yesterday the virgin
surface knew no inhabitant. The
tide of improvement is on the flood
rising higher and higher yet, with the
full promise of increase until the
skill of the artisan shall enter ITS
millennium.
The speaker then sketched the
Improvement in the means Of
overland communication, paying au
eloquent tribute to the energy and
skill manifested in the rapid construe-
ton of the Pacific Railway, claiming
that it surpassed in magnitude Babel's
Tower, Diana's Temple at Ephesus,
the Colossus at Rhodes Roman Aque-
duct or Pantheon, the Athenian
Mausoleum. or the Egyptian Pyra-
mids. God has been teaching, in q
course Of clear PTovidences, that
Westward the course Of Empire
takes its way
The second ground of gratitude is
found in the fact that God has inelin-
ed our hearts to turn away from do
nestle contentious and commotions
consequent upon the civil wor. Hos
thities ceased, the people have had
time for thought, and thought brings
moderation Notwithstanding the
still Unsettled condition Of national
affairs. the people are pacific aud
ready COR any right measures which
Will bring permanent peace.
Next the speaker proceeded to no
tice that the blessings previously men