Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1889-05-02
CENTENNIAL DAY.
APPROPRIATE SERVICES CELE-
BRATE THE ANNIVERSARY.
The Completion of One Hundred Years
of Our Government Fittingly OBJ
served in the Churches -The Union
Meeting Well Attended.

1 AAC OOAA P4CGlO1 VI OuC 4uAU4Cu ACal
of Our Government Fittingly Of
served in the Churches-The Unio
Meeting Well Attended.
The Tooth anniversary of the inaugl
ration of the first president of til
United States, George Washington
was not forgotten in Abilene. Bus
ness was almost completely forsake
during the forenoon and the people
large numbers attended the religion
services held in commemoration of th
event. All seemed to recognize the i'm
portance of the occasion and to be read
to return praise for the long grant
prosperity and advancement vouch
safed to the American republic.
At O'Clock High Mass was held il
the st. Andrews church by the Rev
Father J. F. Leary. There was a larg
attendance and deep interest takel
in the solemn ceremony.
At 10 O'Clock st. Johns Episcopa
church was filled with a congregation
gathered to participate in the servic'
set apart for the day, the same servic'
to which President Washington
listened upon that memorable morning
100 years ago just before taking TIT
oath OF Office as ruler over this nation
UNION SERVICES.
The union services in the Grace Re
formed church were attended by al
audience which filled every seat from
rostrum to vestibule and even crowded
the aisles.
The altar and pulpit had been deco.
rated with flowers and presented g
beautiful appearance.
The services presided over by the
Rev. F. NJ. Porch, opened with sing.
ing of Coronation" by the choi1, Miss
McWhirk, Mrs. Albright, Messrs. Wen
dell and Albright with T. E. Dewey
presiding at the organ. The invoca.
ton was offered by Mr.. Porch, after
which came an anthem by the choir.
Rev. W. II. Zimmerman read an appro-
pirate scripture lesson and the congre-
cation joined in singing Before the
Lord We bow" The prayer was by
the Rev. J. G. Hargett. He thanked
the Father of nations for his mercies
toward us and asked that the prosper
ity of our country might continue to a
fuller and brighter glory. After an
other anthem came the address of the
day, by the Rev. E. D. Walker.
Mr.. Walker said:
If there be one scriptural quotation
that we may make today in our homage
Of the great God Of nations more ap-
propriate than another, think it may
be a part of the Goth verse of the 147
Psalm, she hath not dealt so with any
nation. \ Praise We the Lord. y
We meet today to honor the past.
In this review we recall especially those
principles of civil affairs that were just
taking on practical form. The centen-
NAL anniversary of Declaration was
held several years ago. We only today
may do the honor of observing CEN
tennial anniversary when the declara.
ton took on that organized form that
should stand. And the form of this
organization was a growth. So for
or.fn Of
at least, there have been many centen-
NAL celebrations. Some of these have
been rather local in their nature; but
they have all had their influence on the
knowledge of the history of the times.
Within the last few years we, as
natisn, have lived more in the past
than ever before. There has been of
late greater care bestowed upon
archives than at any time in the past
We are beginning to set value upon
these old events and dusty records.
The centennial anniversaries held
within the last two decades may be
considered something of sign, think,
as to how the heart of the people of
this nation is beating.
We do not now wait for some polit-
ical presidential campaign to come
around, to make manifest our enthusi-
asm pertaining to this civic institution
to which we belong. The announce
ment of some anniversary is enough to
call forth matter from the press and
the platform and pleading from the
prayerful and patriotic.
And none of these anniversaries are
likely to be entered upon with more en-
thusiasm and downright heart interest
than those when the religious idea is
to prevail. And we would that this
idea may never be separated from any
of the centennial celebrations. 1t is
associated most intimately with the
principles and the times that have
made these occasions now possible.
But our meeting today is, as l take it,
somewhat unique in this respect. Of
all the centennial anniversaries thus
far observed, do not recall one made
at the instance of the nations Presi-
dent. making such general call, by
proclamation, to prayer and thanks
giving. We know what suggested this
and we rejoice in the fact and believe
in its blessing in the present and for
the future. We shall never know on
earth how many national blessings
may have been conserved to US during
all these one hundred years of execu-
tive, legislative and judicial authority
by the regerent participants at a throne
of grace on that first great Inaugural
ton day. TRUST that the respect that
we as a nation and as individuals give
this Same idea today NAV set a seal to