The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-11-30
LOCAL MATTERS

TutZKSGlvING-DAY--S AT GRACE
.urEcn-ArPRorElATE DECORATIONS, &C.
The services OF ThanksgivinS-day were
most appropriately and impreSsiyely rem
Grrrt! ut Grace church by the rector, Rev.
Melville Jackson. The communon-table,
font. rcading-dcSk. and pulpit were beauti-
lll.y and simply ornamcnted with the
fruits, vegetables. and blossoms OF the sea-
al: and the sermon. from the text u" Let
#, come before Him with thanksgiving
vas both eloquent and appropriate to the
occasion.
The decorations were really very chaste.
Rising from the altar was very beautiful
cross. composed OF Malaga grapes, leaves,
,cudrils, ana grasses, the base OF the cross
ro,ting upon mound composed OF vegcta-
htcs. fruits. &C.. &C., which was most taste
;ully designed Bouquets oi autumn leaves
and Grain, on a white ground, were sus-
rnndcd from the desk and pulpit, and the
,oDr was simply and beautifully dressed
like the altarI with the fruits and bloom OF
he wear.
In eaumcrating the peculiar blessings OF
the departing year the rector paid a glowing
tribute TO the present state OF the Govern
mcnt lin contrast to the years intervening
since The wary rs affording in itself an espe-
ti.l cause OF gratitude from us as people.
He thanked God for the spirit OF reform, OF
peace and OF equity. now manifcSting itself
% plainly in high places, and for the pre-
>encc OF more honest and incorruptible men
in positions Of trust and importance. He
reminded lis that Providence seemed indeed
10 have guided us (as we could not have
Guided ourselvcs) through the political
chaos which threatened our peace at the
beginning OF the present year, and recog-
,.l raStnratfnn
Of politica! peace and OF confidence
in the "powers that be-" Nor was this the
only striking and effective feature of the
discnrsc. Ii was IN eXhortatien to content
mrnt. to gratitude. and to faith which his
hearers might well have laid to heart, ap-
prccating rs not the least among their
blessings the presence in their midst OF
such a messenger and herald OF the great
gospel OF peace.
The fruits. vegetables, dc. &c., were dis
tributcd after the services OF the day to the
poor and suffering, being bestowed chiefly
upon the Sprng-Strcct Home and the Re-
treat for the Sick.
The thanksgiving dinner Of the ladies' OF
=. James church yesterday was q success
in every way, and was greatly enjoyed by
al who partook OF it.
At the Monumental church yesterday the
pastor, Rev. DR.. Woodbridge, read the SER
Wee aud preached i sermon appropriate to
th" OCCASION, in the course OF which he re-
tcrr"d TO the late disastrous flood. A col
lection was taken for destitute churches.
.At the First Baptist church yesterday
morning there was thanksgiving service,
in which the various Baptist congregations
and the Scvcnth-Strcet Christian church
congregation took part. Addresses were
made by Rev. DR.. Jeter, Rev. DR.. McDon-
I'D, and Rev. }. Il. Tyler.
At st. Paufs church there was large
congregation yesterday, and Rev. A. G..
Garrett, ID. D., Bishop OF Northern Texas,
preached 4 thanksgiving sermon, At night
there was q missionary service, at which
Hi>hop Garrett delivered an address.
Thanksgiving services were also held 1T
he First Presbyterian and at st. Johns.
Il the latter church collection was made
IN aid Of the widows and orphans fund.
Last evening at 1:30 there was 4 sermon
appropriate to the occasion by the pastor at
Iac Sevcnth-Strect Christian church; after
which all members OF the congregation par
ticipalcd in Il church sociabe in the lecture