Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1888-12-07
BONE Department.
THANKSGIVING SERMON.

BY REV. A. r. KEITH, PASTOR OF THE OON-
EDUCATIONAL CHURoH, MIDDLEBuRY.
"Ofer unto God Thanksgiving" -Ps. |: IA,
first clause.
The Chief Magistrate of our nation, by
proclamation, calls the attention of
&C, 900, 900 of people to the duty and priv
ilege of Offering unto God thanksgiving.
That this is a proper proclamation is evil
dent from the facts which were present
ed to Moses in the mount, when the Lord
passed before him and proclaimed, "The
Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gra-
cious, long suffering and abundant in
goodness and truth, keeping mercy for
thousands, forgiving iniquity, transgres-
sion and SIM"
The goodness and mercy of God as
they are known in all the avenues of life
furnish the foundation on which this
proclamation rests. That we should al
ways be in the possession of the spirit of
Thanksgiving is plainly declared; that we
may select special seasons for the express
sion of our thankfulness is, we believe,
our heaven-given privilege. Out of the
customs of the past, which to consid-
cradle degree were unstable in charac-
ter and observance, there has come an
established, authoritative and honored
annual Thanksgiving day. This day is
anticipated with interest, more or less
intense, by multitudes of our fellow cit
liens; and from minority at least it
gains hearty respect. While, by the
great multitude, the proper measure of
devout thanksgiving is not offered unto
God, yet l am sure that little sparks of
true thanksgiving are found on the heart
affairs of millions of our people. Such
sparks, though tiny, are bright, and send
forth light, and according to their meas
ure illumine other heart affairs, until, I'M
der such influence, the spirit of thanks
giving is kindled and true thank-offerings
are rendered by multitudes.
The fact that the proclamation for this
day of Thanksgiving and praise comes
from the President of the United States,
is distinct and emphatic declaration
that the people of this republic recognize
a God-the God-whom our fathers re-
garded and to whose glory they laid the
foundations of this nation and govern
ment. 1t is token that, at least official
ly, the people remember and regard the
hand from which all good things pro-
coed; are mindful of the storehouse from
which all the supply for our need comes
are not in entire forgettulness of the
providence which touches and controls
the affairs of individuals, as well as those
OF the nation; that we do hold ourselves
responsible to God for the improvement
of all his mercies and gracious gifts, and
accountable to Him for the benefits of
his love, that have been scattered like
roses along our pathways, or given like
crowns upon our heads. There are those
who assert that as a people we do not
recognize God, and insist that as a nation
we are atheistic. 1t is a Islander upon
the good name acquired-it is lie; it
never has been true of this people, and
| think it never will be true so long as
the sisterhOod of States continues. I'm
doubtedly there is great variety in the
particulars and iotas of faith in the one
God; it is perhaps necessary and best
that it should be so; but, as people, as
nation, we touch with our faith COM
mon center in the great fact of the Gath
erhood of God" and, gathering around
this central point, wejoin hands in token
of our common and mutual gratitude to
that Father, lift up our voices in sweet
and holy harmony of song and present
our offerings of thanksgiving. Because
of these facts and results we have no
small demand made upon us for thanks
giving on this new thanksgiving day of
official choice.
This national thanksgiving day is also
sign of the nations recognition Of the
doctrine of "the brotherhood of man."
which is twin to the one already noticed,
''the Fatherhood of God" The procla-
nation does not come to a particular
class, clan or order, but to every member
of the national body. 1t is sent to one
plane only-the plane where every citizen
has equal rights and is privileged to take
equal honors. 1t recognizes the right of
every person, without regard to education,
rank or social position, to offer his tribute
of thanksgiving and praise, in secret and
in public, unmolested by any one. 1t
comes with an emphasis, meaning and
spirit that did not pervade and fill the
proclamations of thirty and more years
ago. The key has been turned, and the
bolts have slipped back in this doctrinal
lock within the last three decades. The
door of entrance has opened and we have
been allowed to enter and learn as never
before the meaning and value of true broth
erhood. 1t is matter calling for heart
falt ha mi tbot tI,;s