Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1884-11-28

pie are on a visi6ly higher level. They live
in better houses wear better clothes, eat bet
ter food earn greater wages, are moro intel
lgent, refined capable aud in all ways bet
ter provided With the means Of comfort and
cIjoymeut-the fruits, all, Of a purer faith
When men let pure religion slip, power.
wealth and prosperity slip away also. The
gospel is no debtor TO any community. The
debt Is an untold power on the other sdo Of
the ledger The store, the shop The factory.
the college, the parliament should take oil
the hat to the church-not the church to any
of these MOODY first and mammon after.
wards" was the witty saying Of merchant
OF Boston Just before the great evangelist
went to that city TO labor He meant sim.
ply what the text means-Tiety first and pros.
perity afterwards.
In certain country where no rain falls
the land IL fortified by streams drawn
from a central reservoir which is directly IN.
der the eye and control Of the ruler. Woe
be to the district that rebels. Instantly the
gate is shut, the stream is cut off, and bar.
renness and death cover the fields Only
one escape is possible--a return to allegiance
and renewal Of connection with the central
reservoir. All previous efforts to cultivate
that soil will but increase it's sterility. Aud
so our streams of secular well being flow all
from the great reservoir of religious faith
aud life. Rebels against God find those
streams cut off. Nor can anything else avail
but direct and hearty return to fellowship
with Him, and a renewal of connection with
the central fount. % so solid a basis Of fact
rests the doctrine Of the text Seek ye arst
the kingdom of God and His righteousness,
and all these things shall be added unto you"
LAST SUNDAYS SERVICE AT THE UNIvEhsALtsr
CHURCH.
AT the Universaist church last Sunday
the music and sermon were appropriate to
Thanksgiving. The pastor, Rev. f. W. Whit
ney, preached from Eph. v. 20 Giving
thanks always, for all things, in the name Of
our Lord Jesus Christ" Peoples estimate Of
blessings mainly determines the degree of
their happiness. The poor, If grateful for
health and happiness, are really rich, while
the possessor Of great wealth, II ungrateful
is pitifuy poor. To cultivate a grateful spirit
is the prime secret Of conteutment and blos.
sedness For things bright aud beautiful it
is easy to be thankful, but TO be grateful for
the dark and dire is difficult. In prosperity
gratitude is natural, but greatness Of soul is
needed to be always thankful. Only by hav-
ing Christs spirit, by fully trusting God in
the darkest hours, can men be grateful al
ways and in all things.
Manifold are the occasions Of thanksgiving
For the privileges aud opportunities Of the
past year for friends who fail not in adver-
sity but are steadfas, in all differences Of
opinion for the security and happiness Of
home each and all have ample reasons of
Thanksgiving. Nature has been bountiful
our fertile lands have yielded ample stores Of
grasses, vegetables and fruits, and the neces-
stiles Of life have rarely been so cheap or
abundant. In wealth, population aud mani
fold facilities, the nation has made decided
progress. Throughout the world there has
been an advance in freedom and know ledge,
in civilization aud religion. Because God
reigns the future s assured, and We may well
rejoice.
Bot life has its darker side. Who can be
thankful for disappointment, adversely and
pain? What horrors the past reveals The
whole history Of the world, says Niebuhr,
turns or war and conquest" Countless mil.
lions have been slain, untold suffering and
devastation have been caused by warfare, yet
God has made this terrible scourge a means
of good. Ry it justice, freedom and progress
have been advanced aud best of all the day
seems daWning when human carnage shall
cease.
Business depression is bard to bear, but it
teaches needed lessons. 1t rebukes the rash
spirit of speculation, It checks the folles of
extravaganza, it fosters the thrift and )nesty
which lead to lasting prosperity. Even bias.
ted hopes, possessions lost and bitter sfllic-
tons may prove blessings in disguise. The
most wholesome and precious lessons are
taught by adversely. BY il the heart is pur-
fed faith quickened; the soul made Christ.
like. Christian trust sees light in every cloud
q crown for every cross. At all times, IN
every experiences, it praises God.