The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1890-12-03
synopsis of Thanksgiving Sermon
delivered by Rev. ). w Meek, at
the Disciple Church, Ravenna,
November 27th, 1890.


Passing by all other reasons for thanksgiving,
call upon all to give thanks for THE AGE IN
WHICH GRACIOUS PROVIDENCE HAS CAST OUR LOT
Not that this is perfect age. 1t has many i'm
perfections. Nor that it is ideal. or golden
age. 1t has many and grievous faults, and great
and glaring sins. But in spite of that it. is still
an age having abundant reason for thank ksgiying
First, because it is an age of humanity. of grow
ing humanity There never was a time when
men were SO worthy of confidence as now. The
age of suspicion has nearly gone. The age of
mutual confidence has come. The age of compe-
ttion is passing. and the age of com bination and
cooperation is daWning. In England, a century
ago, there were two hundred and twenty three
crimes which the law punished with death. Less
than a century ago English ships carried 1000
African captives ev ry year to shores. half of
whom died from the crueltes of the passage,
either before they landed or very soon after.
the rest were sold for slaves. century ago Eu-
rope was cursed with almost continual wars. The
prisons of the world then were cesspools of vice.
disease crime. to extent that fills us now with
amazement. Dueling, and what was known as
the code of honor" one of the most pernicious
sets of rules ever adopted by men, was in full 1
sway. In the State of Connecticut only fifty
years ago. Miss Prudence Crandall was put in
Jail. twice tried and her house burned. because
shehad received colored girl into her private
school for girls and the Legislature of that State
passed an act prohibiting schools for colored
people.
Now. the slave trade is gone, slavery is gone,
the savage death penalties have been removed.
dueling has been abolished, prisons improved
war will soon be gone. 1t is practically abol-
ished from among the Republics of the Western
hemisphere. Matthew Vassar. Jno. F. Slater
Daniel Hand AMI hundreds of others like them
remind us of the fact that are in the age O
gigantic charities generosity a scale such a
the world never before thought of.
Second we shouldsgive thanks because a gen
erous Providence has cast our lot in an age o
AEFoRMs.
There is a natural tendency in citizens of re
public, in times of prosperity, to neglect publ
interests and give all their attention to their owl
private affairs. Reforms the agencies tha
obviate this tendency. and because they do tha
they are the very life and salvation of our natio
Reform means agitation, that in turn means care
full thought by the people about the public safet
and welfare, and thatin turn is the secret of na
tional prosperity and progress. So long as thel
are elf-sacrifcing patriots who are willing
bear reproach and scorn. in urging reforms upo
the attention of the people. our republic will Hy
and prosper. Ifreforms ever become impossib
in our Republic. it will die. Reforms get a
eazier and kindlier hearing now than they ev,
did before. Sunday reform. Temperance reform
Prison reform, Municipal REFORM and host
Others, are being agitated and are making mo-
rapid progress new than those who started the
ever dared to hope for.
Third. We should thank a Gracious Prov
dence for casting our lot in an age of Christis
Missions.
One of the most cheering facts about the peop
of our time is that they are not willing to ke
all of their blessings to themselves. We q
spending some millions of dollars. and sendil
our choicest and best sons and daughters to t
ends of the earth that we may give to all men t
blessings and benefits of the best civilization t
world has ever known. Our Missionaries car
the Bible, the school and the printing press-t
three most elevating and ennobling agencies
earth-wherever they go. Not only so. but tn
carry the latest discoveries in m edical science.
agriculture in mechanics, and in the art of
arts. home making, tt the nations that have ia
en- behind in the race of the worlds progress.
who have never known progress at all. In Il
Missionaries were refused permission to emf
India, by Englishmen. Now they are welcom
by every great nation on earth. No greater Sc
sacrificing devotion, disinterested philanthro
and genuine heroism has been displayed in
worlds history. than has been shown by Christi
Missionaries in the past half century.
In conclusion. you in harmony with tn
things? If not. wake up, or the world will lea
you behind. If so. give thanks to Almighty G,