Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-11-30

the blessings VIC enjoy we reduce ourselves
10 the level OF the brute
At the present day we need perhaps more
than ever the setting apart OF day Tor
Thanksgiving 10 Almighty God. The man
OF the present day will, as a rule, think OF
nothing but his material wants and physical
comforts. His views are altogether utlllia-
rian, bis thoughts and aspirations all rAdiate
around one centre. To hsve and TO hold -
10 him wisdom. Virtue, religion, seli.luxury,
self-iudulgence are generally the end and aim
OF his existence. He needs 70 be t1ught rom
time TO time that the wise man must not
glory in bis wisdom. nor the mighty man
glory in his strength. nor the rich man glory
in his riches. We should be lmpelled
TO thanksgiving 10 God for the general
plenty and commercial prosperityi we
should be impelled to Thanksgiving for the
!nestmable blessing OF health which our
city has enioyed. And must we not so much
the more be thankful for this inestimaole
blessing when we look with deep sympathy
upon the long and aRoniziug suferings OF our
sister CITY Jacksonville? We should be im-
peled furthermore TO thankiulness TO Al
mighty God for the peace which has reigned
In our beloved country. But nay friends, 10
the heart properly attuned it Is not necessary
TO enumerate a long category OF the blessings
for which we are indebted 10 Providence. II
isenough FOR us TO exclAim IN the language OF
Scripture: "To Thee, o Eternal. all praise
is due, for we. and all We are. are the on
spriue OF Thy loving kindness"
In celebrating our thanksgiving let those
OF US who are blessed with means not forget
to treat as the objects Of our tender sympa'
thy and beuefcence the poor and the
stranger, the widow aud the orphan. IL Will
then be converted into q source OF blessing
for us and others. Amen.
OVER 200 AT DINNER.
The Thanksgiving banquet rendered by
Messrs. B. f. johnson Il Co. to their em-
ployes came of at Corcoran Hail Yesterday
afternoon. and was a most delightful affair.
About 150 ladies and gentlemen assembled
in the upper ball at 2 O'Clock, and for bali
an hour enjoyed the music by Kessnlch's
Band. The line was then formed and the
guests repaired 10 the lower ball, where an
ample feast was spread. The tables had been
artistically arranged, and a tempting menu
prepared under the supervision OF Messrs.
Ammons and Eardesty.
Rev. r. II. Pitt asked the blessing. When
ample Justice had been done the yiandS the
feast OF orstory and music began. DIR. John
Pollard was master OF ceremonies. Admit
rabe addresses were made by Governor Lee,
Mayor ElysOn, and Dr. s. A. Goodwin.
The singing by Captain r. W. Cunningham
and the employCs was very sweet.
The arrangements were m every respect
| in excellent tsste. and Tbanksglvng-D Day OF
| 1888 will slwaYs be full OF pleasant memo
rics to all who attended this delightful eu'
tertalnmenL Mrs. Governor Lee and her
little girl graced the occasion with their pres
euce.
Mcssrs. B. +. johnson & CO. are one OF
our most enterprislng firms. They have In
their employ more than one hundred young
| ladies', and their agents, numbering more
than fourteen thousand, are TO be found IN
every State and Territory OF the Union, IN
Canads, Mexico, and the West Indies.
TIE OLD LADIES' HOME.
The scene at the home on seventh street
| yesterday was most interesting and grstlfy'
| ing to the friends Of the Institution. The
| long dning-table was filed TO lis utmost
capacity with boxes and bundles; the side-
| board and side-tabes, also. One gentleman,
| having an eye 10 comfort, sent five tons OF
/ cosl The articles received are too varied "a
mention. They embrace almost everything
that Will be needed by the ladies this winter
| We learn that other friends will send theiI
| donations tomorrow, as il was not convenient
to do so yesterday. The managers return
| their most hearty thanks and express the
wish that this lberaiiy will bring rich re-
| ward to every donor.