The Portland daily press., 1888-12-01

laws. but there are lawful WAYS provided for cor
rectng such errors. There are even lawful ways
OF amending the fundamental constitution OF the
State: and n becomes all good citizens 10 ap-
proach questions Of altering the laws, eiFeunl-
specify, ih0ughtfully, with calm deliberations
much more to lay hands only with profound rever-
enee and care upon the constitution.
The blessings which flow from the civil govern
ments ordained OF God arevery great, and they
are universally felt. Like the % sunshine ana IN, the
and on the good, on the Just and on the unjust.
The impetuous and romantic enthusiast, who, in
order to remove evils In the present state Of
things, would assail and overthrow established in
stItnt0ns OF government, Is like one who would
improve defects in his dwelling house by tearing
down the whole building. Our fathers have built
well for us, they have acted under divine guild
anee OF wisdom, as well as Of moral impulse. Let
US show our gratitude to them and our
guide, by yielding ourselves also to the guidance
of wisdom well as to the Inspiration OF love.
at the heart and the only perfect freedom to car
ry out the holy impulses and desires OF the heart
Will be found In obedience to law not only per
we are In the flesh, In obedience also to the stat
ute and common lawi which is simply the per-
fected decisions of the highest and most available
human reason. Cooperative associated action
is one OF the most benefeent of the influences in
producing high eivliizatloni and the most benei-
controlling wisely its own Internal activities;
and those Of nations consulting to form treaties
luE lllt VI Juot HtCAhdeAOudi AhWos
THANKSGIVING A FAMILY FESTIVAL.
The union service at st. Lawrence Street
church Thursday morning was well atten-
ded and proved to be of exceptional value
The prayer of thanksgiving was offered by
the Rev. Mr.. Randall. This venerable
clergyman poured out his heart in glad and
grateful petition and praise, and up
lifted the souls of all present. 1t was a not
ably appropriate prayer; brief. comprehen-
| siye and moving.
Revs Messrs Wright and Frost followed
| in brief addresses.
The former spoke of Thanksgiving as preeml-
nently family festival. IL is not a ehureh-day.
II invites worship and the expression of gratitude.
1t calls us to church, but after all the reunion of
| families, and the grateful enjoyment of Gods
bounty are the chief attractions, and the most
characteristic observanceS Of the day. The
| speaker dwelt upon the influence OF Thanksglv-
ing Day TO strengthen family affection and to in
crease the benz ficent power of the home life.
Rev. Mr.. Frost, the deservedly popular
| pastor of the Congress st. M. K. Church,
| followed in happy and hopeful address and
Messrs. III. III. Burgess, Rounds, Pickett. j
| j. Gerrish, George Fl. Gerrish, and others
spoke. The singing was gladsome: 1t was a
| genuine Thanksgiving service, interesting
and profitable to all present
THIS THANKSGIVING CAUSE FOR RATI.
Il TUDE.
There was union Thanksgiving service
at the Free Baptist church. Rev. S. K
Perkins preached from / Chronicles, xvi, g.:
Give thanks unto the Lord. call upon his
name, make known his deeds among the
people"
Thanksgiving seems unlikely to lose its charac.
ter as day OF teasting and mirth. In the future
| tables are likely to be loaded with the season,
| luXuTies, and our homes TO be the scenes o.
merry-making and this is as it should be. But /:
| there not reason TO seriously inquire whether
| this day is not losing its religious character al
together TOO rapidly? And If this day ceases Il
| be in any true sense a reason for thanksgiyinQ
unto tie Lord will not the religious people Of the
time be Justly held responsible for the changes
Again II the custom Of supporting public worship
| upon this day be allowed TO fall into "inn0cuous
desuetude" how can we expect that the spirit Of
religious feeling concerning this time will perYadf
even the Christian home, or hold its own in the
individual heart, sanctifying and gladdening al
| by the thought Of Gods goodness, and his remem
brance OF his people in all their way?
| We have abundant cause for gratitude today
| We represent great people. made great not sim
ply by their own strenuous efforts, but especial,
by reason of the signal blessings Of Divine Pr0yi
dence, who has given us such an inheritance ii
this land never before fell TO the lot Of any
pie. We dwell in country Of such varied anC
wond rful resources as TO be capable Of beeominl
| the happy home Of not only so, 600 600 people a,
| at present, but as has been estimated even o
1;oOo,Oi oOOO IN the future. We are reminded
Il
has proved TO be one of the most fruitful evel
known in our great grain growing regions, and 81
{va ~ sreae a cs,,s ~ W .ne ehtire country.
speet to personal party affiliations, that we hay,
safely passed the crisis Of great national eec
tion. We rejoice in view OF all the noble institu
tions Of education, or philanthropy that protected
| by our flag are so often monuments OF the wisdom
OF faith Of tnose who planted them. Local bles-
| siDgs call for our grateful remembrance; the
| health, the peace and prosperity OF our commun
ity the public spirit ard sympathy Of our citizens
| Nor would We forget the public spirit Of on.
whose generous gift 10 the city is so substantial,
ana beautifully realized in the nearly completed
whose ability allows will 90 and dt
likewise, and that among other worthy objects
soon possess such a building as shall not only m
crease its usefulness, but be an ornament to tn,
city as we'll We are thankful for the work anc
influence OF our churches. Thanksgiving day
touches family and home life very closely; ii en-
hances their value in these days, when SO many
fiuence of the home. Let us cherish the instIu
tons whose work we prize. Let us be ready to ia
yor all aggressive work upon the part OF oul
school system from all unfriendly attacks anC
never for one moment surrender any portion of Il
| 10 the bllght1ng influences of sectarian control
II are grateful for our homes, we shall seek Il
guard their purity. In word shall not our graf
ltude lead us, as we go our several ways, to seeA
more earnestly to share with those less fortunate
our blessings, whether Of substance, of knoWl
edge, or Of faith, remembering Him who said
| AASOiy yO nave ieCclfcui lIccly give.
| OTHER SERVICES.
Union services were held in the vestry OF
the church of the Messiah, Rev. Mr. Crosley
the pastor, was assisted by Rev. Henry
Blanchard and Rev. Q. ii. Shinn.
There were Thanksgiving services held al
the Mountfort street A, U. NJ. Z. church. In
the evening a delightful entertainment wa:
given.
At the Gospel Mission there were services
In the evening there was a fine entertain.
ment given by the children.
| POOR cHILDREN's DINNER.
| The Salvation Army gathered in a hundred
children, the poorest boys and girls they
could md and gave them an excellent din
ner, consisting mostly of good bread anC
butter, many kinds of cake and pie all round
The little folks enjoyed 1t greatly and st,
their fill in almost no time. After the dinner
the Army had a holiness meeting at which
there was much enthusiasm. A telegram OF
congratulation was sent to Commander-i in
chief Booth.