Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1888-11-30

pcCidl tuduhsSlNiuSe, nuu ~ VOC Suotou- |
Try for the Jews to set up memorials to
Gods goodness in general
II some particular mercies. as if pass
ng thought or mention was not deemed
sufficient to commemorate lasting bene-
1t. Great saints have always been great
David's psalms and Paul's
,pistles abound with expressions of
and the Lord Jesus gave
thanks when he ate. when he stood before
the mystery of divine truth, and at the
grave with the weeping sisters.
The multitude of our mercies should
lead us to initiate Isaiah. and his language
in the text should express our resolution
today and always. The thought of the
text is | will call to mind and record
Gods great attributes of benevolence,
holiness, mercy and love, and their nu
merous expressions in beneficence to his |
dependent creatures. as individuals and |
as a nation. The Lord IS recognized as |
the source of all good. and 1t is implied |
that his mercies are bestowed both in |
character and number not according TO |
our merits. but according to all his low
ing kindnesses." In harmony with the
example of Gods people in all ages and
the call of the prophet in our text. on
bleak November day in 1921 A. D.. in
their rude meeting house at Plymouth. a
band of Puritan settlers assembled to
render thanksgiving to God for their
first bountiful harvest. For more than
two hundred and fifty years. with com,
parative regularity the precedent then
established has been followed, until today
the message of the president of great
nation summons US to Join IN thanksgv-
ing with chorus of more than sixty
millions. and We have gathered to set up
our memorial and call to mind our ma
tional mercies.
First. As it is in answer to the call of
our chief executive that we observe this
special occasion, it is fitting that we
should first briefly recount some of our
national mercies- could we transfer our
selves in thought to the revolutionary
days or the days of the inter colonial
wars, or even recall the more recent days
of darkness when our country was con-
vulsed with civil war, we would better
realize the greatness of our national bles
sings in these DAYS when the angel of
peace spreads her beneficent wings over
| the whole land, while our thousands of
| great factories prepare their products for
the markets, while the lightning express
| on land and the white winged messengers
| of commerce on the sea scatter them TO
! the remotest corners of the globe; all these
and the beautiful fields and busy mart
and happy homes and fraternal relations
| with other nations mark this as a time of
peculiar national blessing. True, we
have had some commercial and indus.
trial disturbances during the year, but
these, when looked upon IN the light oil
our great national position and move
ment must be regarded, principally as evi
dences of the wonderful sctivity of ou
industries in adjusting complicated rela-
tons and in soughing off incongruoui
elements The rapid growth and develop
ment seen in all departments of oul
national organism, in the facilities o.
transportation and communication, il
education snd in lsbor~ssving machinery
indicate that ii becomes us to praise tn,
giver of all good for the privilege of citi
zenship in such a favored country.
, Second. Our social blessings are n
less peculiar, numerous and great tina
our national mercies. Here the speske
introduced at length comparison be
tween our nation today and those nation
where caste prevails: the Roman empire
r the barbarian invasion of Europe, tn
| feudal system, the inquisition, and th
French revolution, showing our superic
safety aud comforts in common life
q Consider the numerous comforts an
i even Injuries of our home life-the r
n markable liberty, equality and fr,
ternity existing in all our soci
relationship way ali parts of oil
= land are bound together by the iron bant
= of our unparalleled railway system al
, the gossamer web of pathways for Il
= electric current; the financial relation
and mutual interests of business and Il
association and sympathy of our educ
If tionsl and religious leaders. These I
l. call upon Us for more than passil
thought or occasional mention; tn
call for the return of our hearts true
'e affections and our lives most noble al
S. heroic acts in a continual thanksgiving
" our Heavenly Father
j. Three. Closely allied to these gre
political and social gatherings; uuderl
lie ing, conserving and sanctifying them :
he our religious advantages. Woe are I
W sufficiently aware of the continuous sile
- and powerful moulding and determini
influence of these religious mercies up
" our intellectual, moral, social aud CO
DIS mercial relations The regularity a
uniformity with which some of tn
r. come to us, render US forgetful of th
demand for thanksgiving. Our freed
lu from compulsion and persecution in
b. ligious matters, the rapid growth of
He churches in number and power the 81,
M of spiritual refreshings all call for spec
thanksgiving. In our personal than
Ut giving we recall some things, which, "
as difficulty we place in our list of BILE
'ul ings We need to remember that thol
Mt he chsstises us, ours is a loving Faith
:. One of the greatest sins of our day is
- grstitude-the need to pray: 20. Ii
TAI that lends me life. lend me heart
lid plete with thankfulness, and to RENT
N, her that we properly observe ThsnksG
ing day only by initiating the Mas
W who, on great feast day, bent his Il
KS steps away from the festal throng to
)ut suffering occupants OF the porches
nd Bethesda.
All nature, animate and inmate. |
claims the attributes of God and cor
uld tutes great instrument designed to I
md into the ear of infinite benevolence
eth unceasing strain of thanksgiving. lie
be sure that our unthankfulness does
disturb the harmony of that unive
on- song.
Itef The offerotory followed. then came
Die hymn Gan Hail the Power of J
pie name" and the benediction by Mr..
ana drum.
IN THE CATHOLIC CHURCHES.
'old
can The circular letter of Cardinal Glib
and recommending the observance of Tha
4 in giving day in all the Catholic churt
re- was one of the many pleasing feature
nate the national day of prayer. II reql
the the clergy to recite the prayers TO
and authorities after the late mass, and
clad the faithful to assist at the service.
q. for the first time in the history o
the country, the one religious festival v
oh is peculiar to or people was duly
teer brated in Roman Catholic churches.
lopv is step toward amity Of feeling at v
lead the Protestant can rejoice as well 9
Catholic.