The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1870-11-25
THANKSGIVING In ROCK ISLAND.
How ID was Observed.

tumn days when all nature seemed deter
miued to make rs thankful BY wearing her
brightest smile and appearing in her gayes'
mood 1t was q day to make all thankful
| whether they would or not. To make all
thankful for the gifts of life, whether they be
of sorrow or joy, whether they come OF
darkness or light, whether they are crowned
With thorns or flowers. 1t was nature
reminding rs of good deeds done and kind
words spoken, making some one happy
some life fairer, for that day at least, than
the tabled Eden. We trust it found ell
prepared to appreciate the lesson it taught
1t came laden with thsnkfulness fot all
To brush away the tie ST which starts,
And place CLEAN of gladness there.
And perhaps it came TO do what you and
oil of US had left undone, IS we forgot
those whom We have with US always.
Theday was we'll observed throughout the
city. All places of business were closed,
and on the government works there was no
sound to disturb the pleasant silence. Never
was q national holiday better observed.
There we're abundant indications that nearly
every family in some way observed the day,
by family gatherings, reunions and attend
anee upon church services. How many,
az they gathered about the beautifully
spread board, said, 'God Pity the Poor" and
how many had remembered them on this
day by some substantial token? How many
had soothed some burdened heart, how
many had eased some couch of pain, how
many had dropped kind word in some
abo 10 of sin and woe ? 1t is not all of life
to live nor all of Thanksgiving to celebrate
by your own grand dinners, but on
Bach day and hour, 1t each time and place,
Where's r your footsteps chance to roam
There to seek some happy thought to trace,
And bring some JOY to other homes.
UNION SERVICES.
Union Thanksgiving services were held
in the Presbyterian church, yesterday, at hal
past ten A. NJ. The day, as We have said
was lovely beyond description. At the ap
pointed hour the church was filed with q
cheerful, thankful audience. The service
was introduced by a voluntary on the organ
by Mr.. Kemp, followed by q grand anthem
of praise By the choir Sculpture lesson by
Mr.. Newell, pastor of the church Thanks
giving prayer, by Mr.. Rogers, pastor of the
Disciples church. The sermon was deliv
cred by Mr.. Rhes, pastor Of the Methodist
church. Text, Psalm LAT 20: "He hath moi
dealt so With any nation, and Psalm So
IA: "Offer unto God thanksgiving"
The sermon was divided into several part.
as follows
/. Why do we meet to, day Because our
rulers are men who recognize the presence
of God and because we are not q nation Of
atheists or iIfidels.
2. What should we do while here p
Offer up thanksgiving to God
/. For our creation, preservation, re
demption, the Bible, the holy Spirits infu
euce on men, the church with all its moral
civil, social and physical blessings.
2. As nation We should thank God fol
our location, the vastness and variety of oul
land, our lakes, rivers, CULTS, mountains
valleys, &c.
5. The mineral resources of our nation
/. Coal fields beyond our comprehension
and inexhsustible.
2. Iron enough for the wants of th'
world for ages to come.
! 8. Gold ranges, the richest in the world
California alone sends annually 800, 000, 00
OF the uatioDsltreasury
l. 1. Silver, lead, tin, copper, zinc, &C., il
great abundance, so provdentislly distribu
ted and discovered as to be evidences of tn
overruling wisdom of God in the affairs @
men.
t. Rsilrosds-Ia 1888, we had 233 mile
on the LIST of January 1869, We had a.
255 miles of completed road in this country
st cost of about eighteen hundred milllo
dollars. The Pacific road-the wonder {
the word-stands as witness to the fae
that God hath not dealt so with any nation.
All these are causes for devout than sgivinl
being the providential, physical or materit
means by which we may have great an
good nation.
Our intellectual blessings, schools, co
leges, universities. ETC., of such grade as I
compare favorably even now with any
the world. Our free schools are the bel
and most thoroughly popular of any in tb
world, opening the road to education to q
alike.
| 6-Tte principles of our government
cause for Liberty to alt-Sufra!
to aU-equal, social, and civil, and intellet
tuAl advantages to alive can say now, an
be truthful-"All men here are free an
eguaT' before the law.
The benevolent spirit of our nation
and of this age-Asylums, Orphan Home
Hospitals, Missions, Bethels, ETC., oil tn
fruits of the christian spirit of this gres
people.
NOTICE SOME DANGERS TO OUR NATION.
l-Corruption in politics-corrupt. ambi
tious office seekers and political leaders.
bribery and embezzlement in hig
places.
3. Prostitution of sutfrage-buying an,
selling votes.
4 Intemperanee of our Representativ,
men.
5. Public Profanity.
6. Sabbath dissertation by public men
carriers, government works, railroads an
other corporations, as we'll as BY individu
als, both native and foreign.
Z. Sale and use of liquors, and publ
revenue from the source of so much of GU
public crime and suffering.
HOPEFUL SIGNS.
Religion more widely disseminated amonl
the masses, increase of members and eff
cheney Of churches, church papers ant
tracts among the people.
2. Increase of unity among the sects