The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1886-11-27
THANKSGIVING.
The Services In the Churches.

Thanksgiving was cold and rainy. The streets
were deserted during the day. The public build
ngs were closed at the usual hours, and the
places of amusement wen patronzed.
Thechurch services were fairly attended. At
the Second Parish Church the Congregational
and Baptist churches held union Thanksgiving
service. Rev. f. I. Bayley, OF State Street
Church, preached the Thanksgiving sermon. His
text was Lev. xiii, part OF the Both verse
when ye have gathered in the fruit Of land, ye
shall keep a feast unto the Lord" He commenced
by stating that the history Of the day was a call
to praise. He referred to the first New England
Thanksgiving when Governor Bradford invited
MassassOit and his Indians 10 Join In the festiv-
ties that commemorated the first harvest, and
then followed this reference with others, and
mentioned the annual proclamations by Congress
during the Revolution and those OF Washington
He then described a Jewish Thanksgiving from
which our Thanksgiving was borrowed This
Hebrew feast is not only the original precedent
also the model, In its essential features for our
observance. Notice some Of these features
g. Il was Was a. feast S unto o. the LoTd Their Joy
was before God; In the consciousness Of His
presence and inspired by His loving kindness.
What Is needful, II there be first right heart, Is
thoughtful contemplation Of Gods gifts. One
must think before he can thank. Here Is one OF
the best uses Of this day; the contemplation Of
Gods goodness bestowed upon Us as individu-
ais, as families, and as nation. What blessing
would come to multitude Of men, were they 20
contemplate and estimate and enjoy those they
have. This element OF thoughtfulnesS was
clearly prominent In the Divine intent Ia the plan
of this Hebrew Thanksgiving. Witness the
dwelling in booths; itself constant appeal 10
memory and meditation, suggesting as i did the
history of Gods care and loving kindness.
We may notice, in passing, the peculiar fitness
Of the season chosen fer this celeDratlon-the
autumn. The old corn had nearly failed, and
now God has given them life for another year out
the earth. The whole complex scheme OF human
life and civilization Is developed out Of seed. And
who gives the seed? And even when u Is gwen,
who but God can make 1t grow?
Finally, 1t was an occasion OF home.g e.gathering-
The home was the great centre OF Hebrew civil,
rust be still, the glory and the safeguard Of our
own country. And ON this day when we gather
again about the home altar, Il becomes US 70
recognize the value, the Importance, the peris OF
the home in America.
At the First Parish church Rev. DR.. Hill
preached from Eeclesiastes, WHO. "Say not
thou, what is the cause that the former days were
better than these; for thou dost not inquire wise
ly concerning this" The preacher said that the
Hebrew preacher did not close his eyes to the
evils Of the present. We look upon nature and
the course OF events with certain predlsposition
in accordance with our individual temperaments.
Ne man can see things exactly and perfectly as
they are, but he who takes the highest and widest
view comes nearest 10 the truth. Thus we look
at landscape, first at the whole, then at the
parts, and so proceed 70 examining the details
same rule viii hold. The errors and heresies in
the Christian church have mostly arisen from
Dr. Hill then applied these truths to the life OF
today, taking into consideration the material
condition Of the human and osI Iengi9SnIs gSI
these latter we might fall into the error OF think
ing the former days to be better than these, but
hopeful view. 1t must be admitted that there are
fluctuations In the state OF public morals but un-
der the guidance Of Divine providence they VIII
lead 70 higher condition OF life.
This holy festival seems TO require the warning
OF the preacher not to forget the blessings OF To-
day and, in the other hand, to remember the suf
fering of our fellow creatures. Nor are to for
get the work God has given us in His cause, for
example, the work Of finding remedy for the in
crease OF crime among us.
Union Thanksgiving services of the Universalist
churches of Portland and Deering were held at
the Congress Square church Thursday morning.
After the usual devotional exercises, Rev. Q. II.
Shinn of Deering spoke on Thanks for the Pro-
gress Of om Faith" He noted progress in ideas
and institutions within the denomination, and in
creasing interest in those outside
Rev. Marion CrosIey, Of the Church Of the Mes
sah, spoke on Thanks for Our Homes" He
showed how these are better and happier today
as science and freedom and religion have CO.
worked to give material comfort and truth and
faith in God and man.
Rev. Henry Blanchard spoke on Thanks for
Progress in Political Life" He said there are
three divine insttutions-the Home, the Church
the State. He was profoundly grateful for pro-
gress in the latter. Public office is more and
more regarded as public trust. The civil SER
vice reform is making headway. All parties are
seeing the need Of accepting 1t. Men are learn
ing that it is not spolls for victory but service to
the republic, which Is needed and demanded.
Political economy Is being based on Christianity.
Professors In colleges, like X. 4. Ely Of Johns
Hopkins University minister's teachers, mer-
chants, artisans. all are learning that there can be
no continuous prosperity apart from the ethics Of
Christ. In Birmingham, Alabama, distinguished
guests saw banner on a high chimney OF an iron
works, with the words: peace, Pig Iron and
Prosperity" But 1t Is not iron ore, but Christian
law, which will give prosperity. Everywhere the
signs are proptious for the better days Of p0ti-
ealllfe. The twentieth century will see political
leaders feeling that they are servants Of the
Almighty
Thanksgiving service held In st. Lawrence
| street church was well attended. The service
was of the nature Of prayer and praise meet
| ing, led by the pastor Rev. A. II. Wright. Re
marks were made by many who attended.
| There was a children's Thanksgiving service a
the Gospel Mission Thursday evening. The exer
cises consisted of dialogues, singing and reeita
/ tions by children and adults.