The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1869-11-17
OUR THANKSGIVING SERMON.


| mending that 10 morrow be observed as
day Of thanksgiving and prayer to our Gre
ator and, though not in orders and uncon'
secrated 10 the work Of bishop, we never
tbeless take the responsibility Of INDUCING
| in an editorial sermon, which is hereby ad'
dressed to all persons, whether christian or
pagan, bishop or layman, to whom these
presents shall come. And although our
sermon, in it's relations TO regularly aD'heh'
ticated pulpit sermons, may be "en''e
production, yet we hope to put enough Oh
christianity into il to save H. IL we sue
coed in doing this 70 shall demand that
what follows shap be recognized--we were
about 10 sey by our brother ministers
as q ser@on'
Being only a volunteer, unlicensed preach
er, we will not presume to take text from
the Bible, though in this respect our sermon
will not be unlike many pulpit discourses
by some gentlemen Of the cloth. Our most
pleasing recolections Of preaching aud
church.going date back to period some
what anterior to this when ministers every.
where felt that it was no violation OF the
rules of good taste or proprety to preach
practical religion and self.denial to their
congregation. Those old fogy preachers
who hadn't learned the power OF rhetoric,
couldn', preach without froty and sec
ondly, &c. So we prefer to initiate them,
because it is easier for an inexperienced
hand. We would not have we were
about to say our brother mnisters our pop.
uar divines think that by this course any
preference is intended to be given to old
time preaching over the beautifully ripping
streams of rhetoric which flow out from the
elegantly carpoted and divanned pulpits,
dfaped in such soft plush and beautiful tin
selling, of these modern times. Not by any
means. We sorely regret that the wings OF our
Imagination have never been trRInedto make
these flights into the realms of fancy,
where we might Gull some of those beautiful
oratorlcsl boQuets which contribute so much
to the delectation Of fashionable church.
goers, Who, arrayed in all the colors OF the
rainbow, and seated on luxurousiy eush
toned seats, and kueeing on the most eX'
quisitely designed ottomans, deyouty con-
fess the sins Of their neighbors, and thank
r God for more than al ordinary share OF nat
q. al goodness. But we cant do this, snc
: for that reason must follow old fashioned
teachers.
a As this is an occasion expressLv '"' apart
r for thanksgiving =. pertinent 10 inquire
,,,. " hat emotions are brought into ex.
ercise in thanksgiving?
2nd. What emotions are pre'emInentIy
not brought into exercise in the process o.
= thanksgiving
4 FIRST. Gratitude, brethren, is an attribute
d of great and noble minds. 1t IS not as som'
e may suppose Indigenous to oil natures. /
is q rare and beautiful plant, having
. dwarfed and sckly growth in many places
and attaning to full perfection in but few
V 1t has another peculiarly; it grows will
and is rarely ever found to be cultivated
plant. 1t isa natural growth from certai
t conditions of soil and climate, but can ney
err be transplanted and grown in toreig
atmosphere or soil. 1t will never spring u
r. and can never he transplantcd in mean
untorgiving selfish or imp acable nature.
Only good hearts can enjoy the swee
=, pleasure that gratitude imparts To those VIII
feel it, II may be tar removed from til
rch and at the very door of the peasant
u Money can not buy it and poverty will nC
n. part with it. 1t enabled the Canasnitis
Il woman to 30 ask for the crumbs that fe
from the Masters table, as to secure tor be
family the choicest blessings dispensed tror
- the hand of q miraculous power. The tru,
% " grateful heart gives thanks not merel
'' for what it has already enjoyed, but tor wht
it hopes to receive. acknowledges, not onI
ID in words but in feelings, dependence upo
70 the bounty aud mercy Of God; and its graf
d. tude, therefore, does not depend upon a
abundant harvest, uninterrupted health, p
cuniary prosperity, or any other blessing
~ SO long as there is life aud sanity there
Il humble thauktuness to God, for whatever
- good it may possess. 1t is thankful for NJ
ouV what it has itself, but for what olhel
naye IT soTrows when o,hers weep and
~ glad when Others rejoice There is no con
is planning that Providence has not dispense
its blessings more bountfuily; there is Il
Impotence under the Christening rod {
10 affection, no want OF faith it ultimate results
SEcoND.--We now consider what EN-,
tons are nat exercised in thanksgiving
The heart that ia overlooking with gratitud
4 i, pre.emineully not selfish; it Is not sci
z. pulled Up. Humility guards its portals, at
it is not apt to congratulate itself or max
invidious comparisons. 1t will not Their
D., fore mingle with its thanksgiving sorro
for or confessions Of, other peoples Gins.
= will not feel rs did the Pharsee who wei
V up into the temple to pray, and said: Co
thank thee that am not as other me
at are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers. Neith'
ee will il recount before God its manifold vi
tues and good works, as did the Pharise
but like the publican, will rather star
'g apart with dowucest eyes and conscious III
Id worthiness, and say: God be merful to m
o. q sinner. 1t will not brawl out accusation