Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1888-12-03
GREATNESS OF OUR COUNTRY.
Rev. DIR. Williams Sermon.

In his sermon Yesterday, Mr.. Williams
said 1--WE aught TO be go grateful 10 God
for this grs at land that is attracting the
attention of people in all parts of the
world Ii is the land our fathers loved,
and which We hope our children will
love What a magnificent country We
have. aud when we have been supplied
by its products we ought, like the chill.
dren of Israel, 10 bless the Lord our God
for the good land be has given US.
The wealth OF the country Is about
forty-five billions and is increasing at the
rate OF billion every year
The debt that seems so enormous, IL
divided among our people, would amount
to about twenty two dollars for each in
dividual, or about eighty one cents per
annum TO pay tue interest.
All our people have the advantages of
the public schools, AMI this agency is do
Ing much 10 prepare our children for the
work OF life. Twelve million pupils are
enrolled In these schools. and ihe number
in private schools and colleges is great.
The annual increase OF our churches is
about 900, of our ministers about 1000,
and OF the members of our churches is
500, 900
The Christian religion is pcrvsding this
land as il never did in the past, bringing
large numbers of christian men into the
national legislature aud christian man
TO the Office of President.
The outlook Of almost every interest OF
our beloved land is most encouraging,
AMI we have great reason for praise to-
day.
Rev. Mr. Williams also held an "Aft, r
Service" last night and addressed his peo-
pie on the subject, DO We Read The
Bible Do we Read ii Frequently aud
CarefulIy?' He said that tde missionaries
give us accounts OF persons going twenty
aud hundred miles TO get Bible. A
traveller visiting missionary told BIN
that he bad spoken To one OF the converts
who had read the Bible through seven
times This no doubt would put many OF
us to shame.
Another subject that interests US very
much, concerning which We are taught
in Gods Word, is about ourselves. l
don't believe, said the preacher, that we
can find many books in the world that
give us correct conception OF ourselves
outside of the Word of God. The book
that most nearly portrays human nature
il Shakespeare: and that author had the
aid largely of the Word of God. and the
Word of God has given him some of his
excellencies. There are $50 references TO
the Word of God in bis works
The Bible teaches us also what we are
10 do. / believe my dear christian friends
that careful study Of Gods Word will
help you and help every one
The church was handsomely decorated
on this occasion with wheat, corn, rye,
oats, carrots, parsnips, oranges, bananas,
lemons, squashes, grapes, apples and M
merous other fruits and produces OF the
field, artistically arranged, and indicative
of the plenty with which God has be
slowed mau in His bountiful mercy
and providence. A very pretty arch
was arranged back of the desk upon
which were sheaves of wheat and from
the apex Of which were suspended seven
ears of corn, indicative of the seven years
of plenty. The entire effect of the deer
atoms was very tasty and attractive and
Iefects crepit on the members of the con
gregation who were so kindly interested.