The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-11-26
Services of the Episcopalians.

Tue EpscopalaE congregations united IN
services at ST. Pauls Cathedral, and Rev. E. A.
Bradley, of Christ Church. preached the sermon
The church was beautifully decorated for the
occasion, and pleasing musical programme was
rendered. The text of Mr. Bradleys sermon
was
Oh, that men would praise the Lord for His good
and for His wonderful works to the children OF
men.-Psalm evil g.
IF the millions of Gods children called to
keep this day." said Mr. Bradley. would lift up
their voices in grand unison of praise, the tones
of such mighty chorus would rise to the walls
of the upper temple, and, entering the ears of
the Lord of Hosts, He would send down to US,
upon the echo of every THANKSGIVING song the
fullness of His blessing. David, in another
psalm, decla res that when all the people praise
God He shall give as His blessing. If ] should
try to ennmerate all our causes for thankfnlness
this day should despair of finishing We do
surely owe God thanks for another abundant
harvest Our own State should be especially
thankful for her wealth of splendid crops. The
supply of good things to eat for this day alone
for the fifty millions of Americans is simply a
miracle 1t is wonderful work of Gods good
ness-the provision of the daily meals the year
through for these vast multtudes. taxing all the
power of the sun, the sweetness of the RAIN and
drawing the very substance from the soil in their
neither overlooking nor giving out. The more
think Of it the more / am amazed at the marvel
Gus work OF God in providing for His children
and impressed with Its overwhelming force an
argument of the existence of God.
1T is one of the aggravating things about the
average man that, while God is always shower
ing good things upon him. one of the last things
the man does is to think of God Men go forty
years with plenty of complaints and murmur-
ings. and just two songs of praise like the Jews
10 %kA Ar-1 81 AZ
and goodness. 1t is because of their proneness
to ngratitude that God instituted THANKSGIVING
Day. and commanded the Jews, when they had
gathered their harvest to come into the temple
and offer there of the increase of the fields with
anthems of praise The psalm from which the
text Is taken was written for such service after
Israel had returned from exile and had reaped
their first harvest. The Christian church has
had its harvest home" from the beginning.
The pilgrims Of New England changed the day
for one of fasting and prayer, because Of
their bardships This continued until
kindly hearted old man reminded
them that they were dishonoring God
and injuriDg themselves, like the old Jews He
reminded them that they were increasing in
num- ers; that their wives were quiet, industri-
Gus and obedient that their harvests were
bountiful, and that each one could worship God
according to the dictates of his conscience.
He moved they appoint day of thanksgiving,
aud old Governor Bradford issued the proclama-
ton. One of the best class of sermons preached
during the year is made of the Presidents and
Governors proclamation calling the whole Ma
tion to its duty of thanking God for his mercies
1t would add immensely to the prosperity and
happiness of the country if this sermon was put
into practice by all.
1--WE are disseminated, generally. because we
have been footing up our losses, instead of our
mercies. If you'll think long enough of the
mercies ofothers that you don't receive you'll grow
green with envy and be discouraged. When a
man is badly off, the wisest thing he can say is,
I'm glad it is no worse like King George, when
appointing THANKSGIVING day after July4 1776.
If he is true Christian, he will find netting
to be thankful for Don'tse the two weeks of
sickness and forget the fifty of health. If God
let's us down into the darkness sometimes. it is
only that He may draw US up filled with the liv-
ing waters of His mercy. AS church we have
one great cause for thanksgiving in the progress
toward Christianity. About the only difficulty
to a union with the Congregatonalists is the
apostolic episcopate, and we believe this obstacle
will be surmounted. If all churches were united
IN common Christianity what Thanksgiving
day we might keepl All the children of God at
home around the Fathers board, heart to heart
and voice to voice, lifting a national TIE Deum,
praising the Lord for His goodness and for His
wonderful works for the children of man. Sure
~ the day for endless praise would then soon be
ushered in"