Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1869-11-25
Thanksgiving Services.

Union services Of the Baptist, CoDgre-
gational and Methodist societies were
held at the Methodist Church in this vii
lage on Thursday morning, The GER
vices opened with congregational singing,
after which prayer was offered by Rev.
Mr.. Bailey, pastor Of the III. r.. Church,
when an ablo and impressive discourse
was delivered by Row. +. Mills, pastor Of
tho Baptist Church, from the following
text:
Psalm 103:2.--Bless the Lord, O my
soul, and forget not all his benefits"
Psalm 1904. - Enter into his gates
with Thanksgiving, and into his courts
with praise be thankful unto him, and
bless his name"
The substance Of his remarks were !:
The history of Thanksgiving festivals
takes us back to the days when Gods
ancient people were sojourning in the
wilderness, and when by divine COM
mand, was instituted for their perpetual
observance, the feast of Tabernacles,
which was so called because that during
it's seven days continuance the people
without distinction dwell in green booths.
commemoration Of their wanderings in
the wilderness. This feast was celebrated
from the 18th to the 23d of the month
Tisri, corresponding with our month of
October, and it was therefore also called
the :" feast Of ingathering," being at the
close of fruit harvest, and one of its
prominent aud essential features was the
presentation Of thanks offerings in recogni-
nf tuir ant
Thanksgiving festival was held for seven
consecutive days, the first and seventh
being solemn convocations, characterised
by the most devout religious exercises and
entire abstinence from servile work.
In the christian dispensation the puri-
tan fathers stand ont most prominently
in their Observance of this annual festi-
val Of thanksgiving and reunion; and
though their love OF freedom drove them
TO the barren and inhospitablc shores Of
New England where, in seeking liveli-
hood, they had to contend with almost
insuperabe difficulties, yet realizing their
entire dependence upon divine protection
aud provision, they were ever ready to
render to God thai tribute Of thaDksgiv-
ing and praise which was his just due
and most happily did they mingle the
elem snt- Of grateful devotion, social Ell.
oymeat and christian benevolencs; for
in the foEepart OF the day all the piously
inclined gathered in the parish meeting
house, which had never been aesecrated
by the introduction of stove OF furnace
and where the cold wintry winds had full
play through crack; crevicc. and loosely
fitting window. Having listened to 3
lengthy aud learned discourse from the
highly respected village parson, tho ger
vices closed, the fraternal greetings ended
the good puritan families would return
10 their peaceful home-, gather around
their iestal board, groaning beneath 1T
burden Of good thugs, and while will
grateful hearts they partook of the am
pie feast. the whole was enlivened ane
-weetened h, a full flow of social i,rter
course.
Nor did lhey ever forget the divine In
junction: " Ii there be among you
poor man in any of the gates of the lane
which the Lord thy God giyeth thee, tho,
halt not harden thy heart, nor shut Tia,
hand from thy poor brother" for will
christian liberalIty they sent portion
one to another, and gifts to the poor
Ny dear hearers, our fathers who inau
xurated and SO greatly honored this festi
val are long since numbered with tn
dead, and they have left this az iegac,
to ~, their children. And in obedienc
tn ancient custom, our worthy Governo
has issued his proclamation, invoking tn
people of this commonwealth, in view O
the divine goodness, TO assemble in thei
several places of worship, for the parpos
of rendering thanksgiving and praise t
His gracious name and in response t
executive proclamation We are hereb,
assembled, "a united people, ready, | trust
10 offer that sacrifice Of thanksgiving
which is His just due.
For many years it has been customar,
for preachers to improve this opportunity
to discuss in sermon form, and from tn
sacred desk, the leading questions of tn
day, or to discharge the accumulated bill
Of the whole years friction with opposin
forces but leaving all such questions {
others who can more ably discuss them
and 10 places more appropriate for thei
discussion, | shall content myself wit
the presentation of few incentives t
heartfelt Thanksgiving and praise t
Almighty God. Hoping that | may
able to say something which shall SO ex
pand your views of divine goodness tina
you will return home with hearts swell
ing with gladness and gratitude.
"Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forge
not all his benefits"
From these words let us consider:
First: The Goodness of God as eoince
in the 5ounties Of his Providence, and til
manifestations Of his grace
/. God is our creator. He hath mad
us, and not we ourselves; we are th
workmanship Of His hands, and in on
creation He has given MS grand exhi
bition Of His infinite wisdom, power, an,
goodnao /; fx iva ara mads Int ! HAL
lowesshsl tho Angels and crovnsd Nd
glory and honor.r We cxns,ot fsithfull,
study NJ iatsicats neehaSisn II Il
human frame, the almost illimifa1o
'~srgyfsne- Auuau -u1ud. uf ynW-4m
'.loAg4nes u the Au.na, Asuk -
ad4eply impressed with tho 4
: and goodness oppiloet =
And as with man, 10 Will