Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1891-12-03
THANKSGIVING SERVICES.
Union >rryice tIclt at tn" Dercnn Baptist
church, Gov y. ishum Bis, -. -.
!fVH.ii a. 81. paul'>.

Union service iIclt at tn" Dercan Baptist
tHGrch--aov y. ishum Bis, -. -.
iiVH.hc, a. >. paul>.
\ union Thanksgiving service was held
IhursdaY morning, in TIA liereun Darlst
chGrcn, which wos lillei. Chairs were
brought in AMI placed in the aisle. AMI
some were obliged 10 sand. Dr. lIawes
c3hiuctcd the service aud Dr. Starks
offered prayer. Rev. W. =. Roberts, ~ D.,
preached II practical and comprehensive
sermon from Coios,'ans ii; 81. CAS- We
have therefore received Christ Jesus, the
Lord. D. walk ye in Him; roo,cd and built
Ut IN linn and established in the faith, as We
have been taught, aboun1ing therein with
thanksGlVng.N
Tie organ and growth of the custom of
observing IhauksRiv nG day was first
sketched, aud Dr. Robert referred particu
larly to the rel .icus eeilent, which is nee
o sary 10 It's permauent bold upon the
peove. The value OF tho institution de-
ponds upon the manner of its observance.
y Christian view OF Providence evokcs
gratitude under all circumstances, whether
tlo D!;lce arc dark or bright, and 1t is with
tbs spirit that this national holiday should
bo observed. The gospel Is at the iounda-
ton Of both the civil and relIgious liberties
] hese tw1 !orms of freedom are insepareble
and tu'y rise or iall together
The Blessings of the year next
enumerated. The principles OF forbearance
have 1cen illustrated in our relations with
otDer nations, labor troubles have been con-
fined to limited localities. and they have not
bet n great enough TO inter upt the distr!bu
ton Of the UNUSUAL abundance. While
food, famine aud fire have dcvasted other
portions Of the globe, none oil these vista
tons have here attained the magnitude of a
national calamity. The army has been inn
proved by putting ii under more wholesome
regulations; ships OF war, increa ed
in number and efficiency, have inspired re-
spect Tor the dag OF the United Statos aud
added guarantee OF peace. Public con
science is growing, as is seen in the protec
ton given voters by the Australian ballot
system, the gradual suppression OF polygamy
III Utah and the determined effort of the
government to stamp out the Louisiana lot
terry. THESE signs OF the increasing influence
OF moral ideas give hope that the liquor
question VIII in due time come to the front
aud that the nation will purge itself from
partnership in the whiskey curse and crime.
there Is reason for gratitude not merely
for what has actually come to pass but for
the create possibilities that God has set be-
fore his people and for his patience with
mau. I lie sublime standard Gods gift to
man, makes it possible for them to become
Il JOY and blessing to their fellows The
speaker closed with an incident showing how
firm hold really Christian like person
takes upon the hearts of the multitude who
recognize in such "A man or woman true
friend of humanity. A collection was then
taken for the City Mission, and about $40
was realized.
ST. PAUL'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
! A very beautiful and impressive service
was held at 81. Paul's church. The deco.
rctious were artistic, comprising an altar
I cross ma ls oil wheat and grapes and fruits
ana grains heaped about the chancel, reai-
ing desk, puip, aud font. The service was
read by Rev. q. II. Bailey and the sermon
/ was preached ny the rector, I;ev. j. lshan
Bliss, ID. d., WHO spoke from the text,
Tine kngdom is tho Lords - He referred
first to the reasonable comfort that all men
feel in the belief that the Kingdom is in very
| fact the kingdom OF the Lord. ii men can
rest with perfect in the belief that all
thu pher omena of nature are under the alb
solute control of an omnpotent being, who
is not only almighty but is all wise and in
linitely good, A belief in God of any
other character than this would be uuroa-
abe ana would cause despair.
The aspecinl causes for thankfulness on
such an occasion as this lie in the fact that
rs the basis Of all wealth is in tue fruits OF
the soil, the harvests in our own land are an
unusual expression OF God bounty and goo l.
ness. According to the secretary Of agricul-
ture THIS nation hus added within the last J
months more than 500, OUO, 900 to its
wealth, The preacher spoke of the spplica
tion OF this wealth to benevolent, pnilan-
thropic, educational and rel slous objects,
showing the wonderful advantage on all
these lines during the last II months
He closed with an earnest exhortation
that his hearers should remember that even
those things which we are inclined to look
upon as calamitle, are in the hands of 'it
Lord OF the kingdom turned into reasons for
thanklulness, all things working together
tor good to them that love God.
y distribution of many good things wa,
made both ednesIay aud Thursday &c
poorer members Of the parish.
A NEW MANAGEMENT