The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-11-28
WHY THEY ARE THANKFUL.
EXPRESSIONS OF CITIZENS HERE
AND THERE.

Most Them Say They Are Glad They
Are Living-Others Are Grateful For
More Blessings, Such ~ Wives and
Children.
Thanksgiving Day was perhaps more
generally observed yesterday than 1t has
been for some time past. by noon most OF
business houses on Main street were closed,
the postoffce had stopped public business,
the banks had not opened their doors, and
the streets bore very deserted and sun
day-like appearance. Most OF the mer-
chats and the employees came down In the
morning and opened the mail, but by noon
they had left to attend divine service and
partake Of the Thanksgiving dinner.
Many of former Richmonders were in
town, having come from the "boom" and
other cities TO dine at the family hearth
stone. Ii was day full Of pleasurable as
sOciations TO many, although one oil saddest
for some families in Richmond. Family
reunions took place. marriage bells pealed
out, people gathered in their sanctuaries
and gave thanks, while in some households
the dread messenger made his summons.
IN THE CHURCHES.
All Of the Epec ,pal churches held ser
vice. and they were well attended. Dr.
Burton, Of st. Johns church, preached on
| the theme 1.-The Righteous Should BE More
Thankful than the Wicked" At the Catn-
Ollie churches the usual masses were sung.
The Methodist congregations gave thanks
at Centenary Methodist church, where Rev.
! mr. TudOr and others OBLIGATED.
| The services at the Second Presbyterian
were conducted by every Presbyterian min
| later in the city, and Rev. }. W. Roseboro,
Of Petersburg. The sermon was preached
/ by Rev. james Little, Of Westminster
church.
At the Second Baptist church union
service was held by the Baptists. The ser
vices were concluded earlier than was in
tended by the news Of the death OF Mr.. ii.
X. Ellyson. DIR. Landrum announced his
death Just before the services ended.
WHY WE ARE THANKFUL.
"tor what are you thankful today"
This question was piled yesterday by The
TIMES reporters to such persons as they ac-
cidentally met. The answers in many
cases were curious. and it was surprising
to find how many men were thankful espe-
ciallv because they were living. Others
l.
| for the possession OF wives and children; for
the bountiful crops; for the late Democratic
victory, and so on. Below will be found
their expressions:
COLONEL FRANCIS MURPHY.
Colonel Francis Murphy, the temperance
lecturer. was seen while dining at Ford's.
He said: "Why, God bless your soul, have
some dinner. Yes, am bubbling over with
thankfuness. ! am thankful for the pace
and plenty which God has given 10 our ma
ton. and | am thankful that on this, our
national Sabbath day. a table is spread IRON
the Atlantic TO the Pacific, laden with the
richest and choicest gifts that God has ever
bestowed upon any people. | am thankful
that our swords have been beaten into prun-
ing hooks, and that Gods banner over us is
loved: that there is no North, no South, no
East or West, but that all are united and
and standing together for peace Instead OF
force. for equality instead OF personal pre-
ference. and that old things are passing
away. and all things are becoming new. |
am thankful that the social posi-
ton of society is changing and
that the lemonade pitcher is taking the
place Of the punch bowl; that business is
sober and will only give her positions OF
trust to sober men, and above all things.
am thankful for the best wife that God ever
gave to man. | am thankful for the gener-
Gus and hospitable manner in which Rich
mond people have received me. and for the
generous assistance of the public press, and
especially do | thank THE TINES. May
Gods gracious favor rest upon II.
REV. DIR. MOSES d. HOGE.
First, we have occasion to be thankful for
good weather-which is no small factor
when it is considered that 6O,0OO,OOO people
participate in the celebration Of our ma
tlonal Thanksgiving. IL makes vast
difference, whether it is stOrming or whether
the sun is shining and the air balmy, as to
the success Of church services. | am
thankful for tine preservation OF our civil
and religious liberty, secured to US by the
Constitution, some of which have been re-
Gently imperiled, but now, | hope, have
been freed from danger. No citizen OF
the Commonwealth can fail to be grateful
for the abundant harvest that We have
reaped and for the wonderful material de-
yelOpment now in progress. This spirit OF
enterprise Is the cause for devout thankful
ness. as is the fact that the churches OF all
denominations are manlfestlng unwOnteu
activity. This is evident from their liberal
contributions TO charitable objects, and by
their spiritual efforts TO secure endowments
for their literary and theological institu-
lions. In Richmond we have reasons to be
especially thankful tor our good municipal
government, for the increase and advance
ment of the city, for the general intelligence
and piety of our people, and for the spirit OF
friendliness that prevails among Christians
OF every name.
Mr.. MANLY d. RAMOS.
1t gives me the greatest pleasure to have
Supreme Being to accord praise for the gen.
eral prosperity Of our city and the
country. As from time immemorial
the agricultural interests have leaned
more upon the providence Of the Al
mighty, and as the merchants are now reap
inc the benefits Of Overflowing barns and
store-houses. no doubt all of us can bend
the knee and with more than usual sim
cerity render praise; especially when we
know that the slippery people Of Wall street
have utterly failed in their endeayor to
wreck the finances Of the country.
MIR. T. d. WILKINSON.