Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1888-11-28
Thanksgiving Day.

been asked to observe the goth inst.
in thanksgiving to God. The
Proclamations OF the President of
the United States and of the Gov
errors of the various States justify
people in regarding it as national
Thanksgiving Day. There is a
general call upon the people to as
semble in their places of worship,
and quite full presentation of the
subjects for thanksgiving. All this,
and the growth of the custom of
observance, are hopeful indications
in the right direction.
1t is notably true that there is a
change in the manner of keeping
the day from that which prevailed
in former times, but as far as our
knowledge goes the prevalent forms
OF observance are in accord with the
scriPtu-al idea. That all the people,
as largely as possible by families.
should assemble for one service in
the sanctuary, is eminently appro-
PIRATE. In order to manifest graft.
tude TO God, this is the reiterated
commands of the Old Testament.
1t is most fitting that, first of all,
we acknowledge our indebtedness
to the Giver of every good and per.
feet gift. This obligation should
also be remembered at the family
altar, and in all the social enjoyment
Of the home.
AS to the reasons for thankssiv-
ing, this is year which has been
particularly crowned with blessing.
The labors OF the husbandmen have
been remarkably blessed, and the
crops, upon the whole, have been
the largest ever produced in the
country. All the land may saw:
Thou visitest the earth, and wa
terest 1t; thou greatly cnrichest it
with the river of God, which is full
of water: thou preparest them corn,
when thou hast SO provided Tor it.
Thou waterest the ridges thereof;
thou settlest the burrows thereof:
thou makest it soft with showers:
thou blessest the springing thereof.
Thou crownest the year with thy
goodness. The pastures are clothed
with flocks; the valleys also are
covered with corn"
Our social and political condition
as people is another reason for
Thanksgiving. Peace has prevailed
10 an unusual degree within our
borders. The land has not resound.
ed to the tramp Of armed men.
While there have been occasional
disturbances, one or two strikes of
Threatening dimensions, some trou
BILE with the Indians, upon the
whole the peace of tie year has
been exceptional. We have lust
passed safely through another great
quadrennial political campaign.
conducted upon higher plane than
usual, and unaceompanied by the
violence which sometimes breaks
out. In no other country on the
face of the earth could an election
pass off more peacefully.
Again, the health Of the nation
has been remarkably good. Apart
from the prevalence Of yellow fever
in few places, theterrible pestilcncc
has not visited our land. Sew
eral great cities have reported the
death rate as below the average Of
former years.
Christians will be especially
thankful to God for the growth of
the Church. While this has not
been so remarkable in some features
Of it, and while it has not been all
for which we prayed, nevertheless
the influence and progress of the
evangelical Church have been suf
fcient to call us 60 thank God and
take courage There has been on.
ward movement all along the line
IT has been year Of munilicent
contributions TO the Lords work.
1t has been a year Of grand prepa.
ration for future work. Increasing
interest has been aroused in the
evsngelization Of our own country,
and most encouraging impetus given
to the cause Of Foreign Missions.
Dcnominaiional comfy, co opera.
ton IN church work, especially on
foreign shores. rs in Japan and Bra.
I'll, have been promoted; the main.
spring Of the progress being in
these United States. In word .
for all who are 50 disposed. there
will be no difficulty in finding
abundant reason for gratitude and
thank giving and in coming to the
conclusion. "He hath not dealt 80