The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1877-11-30
Perhaps two-thirds, not more OF
ST. MATTHEW'S

ST. MATTHEW'S
congregation participated IN the lnsn Dr.,
civins services, Yesterday morning. Inc
9sstor's remarks were impromptu, ter
vent and to the point. The Episcopal
services make such liberal provision lot
GAYS of than ksgiving that the minister
dispensed with lull, lengthy sermon
The musical exercises were superoly ex-
ecutsd by the choir, especially the last
HYMN. "Praise," No. 425 of the Hymnai,
which WAS said to have been rendered
better than anything had ever been be,
tore ic this church. The list contained
the following: Thanksgiving, Jubiisle
Deo. Gloria Patri, Benedicte Omnia,
Opera Dominic, PleysePs hymn ana
Praise. =,
The reverend gentleman said: The or
iein of Thanksgiving day WAS an an
Gent church custom, established lor the
purpose of relieving the poor. In the
TALL OF the year when the crops were
csrnered, day was set apart Tor
each person TO bring to the church
whatever portion of his harvest he
could spare, be it much or little. rms
was distributed to the needy. While
this custom does not prevail Il TINS
country at present, of the fortunate
sharing a part of their harvest with the
| unfortunate, n custom AKIN 10 II docs
exist, viz: The proceeds from the crops
are collected from the congregation and
set apart Tor charitable purposes. Inere-
fore anksgiving to-day was not simply
in obedience TO the call OF the Chief
Executive, bu. also in harmony with the
obseryances of the church tor years and
wears. He only regretted the custom, at
one time almost universal, had so widely
fallen into disuse. In some parts OF
ENGLAND the ancient custom Is still
observed. He hoped to-day that the
rich offering in money TO the poor would
ue commensurate with this blessings That
had been bestowed upon the fortunate.
There is a peculiar significance In TINS
dsy. All over this broad land, through
the call of the Chief Executive OF the
nation, thanks are being offered to the
AImight God. 1t is thetestimony that
can be produced, that as nation
we believe in the personality OF God
We may have intidels and atheists
amongst us. but in our national capacity,
by our thanks to the Almighty on this
memorial day, we proclaim our belief In
q personal God who is good, KIND ana
lust. II gives proof that we are not
living under the reign OF Panthelsm, but
fully recognizing personal God.
What solemn mockery 1t would be,
pouring out our thanks to God, II at the
same time that God had nothing to do
with providing our rich and bountltul
crops 2 The nation this day sets her seal
that He has all to do with 1t, and she so
proclsims 1t to the world. We could not
let pass referring to this testimony that
the nation is practically recognizing the
great Creator, particularly when so
much individual infdelity and atheism
are stalking abroad, l fear, too, In the
hearts OF some OF those who profess to be
Christians.
The year has been one of great peace
snd plenty. In some branches OF busi-
ness, perhaps, there have been mistor-
tune and failure, but there is
much for which TO be thankful. You
and l, not q year ago, can remember the
spark Of war that threatened us-when
the dark clouds OF revolution were
lowering over the nation and threatened
to precipitate US into the great cnasm OF
destruction and ruin. Now all is tran
guilty and peace The North aud South
are united in the universal desire for
prosperity and unity. But look
around us ard see how many
nations are plunged into war. and others
in threatened anarchy-sll In difficulty
except our own. Is TINS no. one Of the
greatest reasons why we should be CRATE
ful to God2 And now, as He has thus
blessed Us. every Christian should not
tail TO bless Him.
He might 90 on indefinitely giving
reasons why We should otter praise to
God. The crops, for instance, when the
surplus is SO great that 1t would support
nations. But it is unnecessary. Let us
as individuals, as q family, and as a
nation, give thanks TO the God OF indi
viduals, of families and OF nations.
A fair audience assembled st the
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