The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1893-12-06
THANKSGIVING DAY.

THANKSGIVING DAY.
| Appropriate and Interesting Services at ths
Methodist and Episcopal Churches.
Thursday morning dawned upon 8
charming and restful thanksgiving day,
and the occasion was honored and cele-
brated at the above churches. Rev. DR..
J. B. Fox conducted the union service
at the former and Rt. Rev. Ellison
Capers, Asst Bishop of the Diocese, ap-
peared for the first time since bis con-
secration before the congregation of st.
Luke's. The congregations st both
churches were large and attentive. The
following is a synopsis of DR.. Fox's ex-
cellent sermon, which was happily pre-
sented to his hearers:
Text-"How precious also are thy
thoughts unto me, o God! how great is
the sum of them! II 7 should count
them they are more IN number than
the sand. Psalm 139: 17-l9."
A Christian astronomer of the 18th
century observing the planetary system
moving in accordance with the laws
which he had discovered, exclaimed in
solemn ecstasy, 20 God! I read thy
thoughts after Thee" The works of
God are His externalized and visible
thoughts, thrown upon the canvas of
the objective universe, in order to serve
as q mirror, in which we may see and
know God. But nowhere in the ma
terisl world are Gods thoughts 80
faithfully and tenderly exhibited as to-
wards ourselves. He has not created
and left US alone upon this little planet
to battle against the forces of disor-
ganized nature. His good will towards
US was denied even the fallen angels.
It is proper for US in this thanks
giving season to review Gods precious
Thoughts of US as individuals. Each
"heart knoweth it's own bitterness" !"
and each soul is the recipient of special
blessing. Among these we may men
ton our creation and position in. the
world; Gods constant preservation and
provision for US, and above all His
great and perfect salvation through
Jesus Christ. These fundamental truths
were fully elaborated and enforced.
We should particularly reflect in
this glad season upon our negative
blessings,-that we are not in deep
poverty, not enduring sharp pain and
suffering, not without homes, not
friendless, not without social comforts;
that war does not desolate, and pesti-
lence does not sweep, and famine does
pot rage In our land; that we are not
born in pagan lands and Of heather
parents; that We are not suffering all
| the possible and actual ills Of life; all
these are negative blessings, coming as
direct results of Gods precious
thoughts toward US. a
Again we should recount the posi-.
tive and direct blessings Of God-Iife,
health, social enjoyment, domestic
blessings, government that is free
| laws to protect, schools to instruct, the
press to inform, homes that are SAFE
and happy, and above all the light o.
the blessed Gospel shining from oul
pulpits and lighting our way to heaven
All these are rich, positive blessings
coming to US as gifts of love from God
They originated il His kind thought!
toward us.
The services at st. Luke's were al
appropriate to the day and were con
Quoted by the Bishop in his ,usua
strong and tender manner. He ad
ministered the solemn rite Of confirm
alton to a gentleman and celebrated
the holy communion, to partake o
which, be most afectionalely invitee
all members of other churches present
After morning prayer Bishop Capers
appeared In q gracious manner befor'
the congregation and asked indulgence
for brief personal talk. In the provi
dence of God he had come for the frs
time as their Bishop, and he woult
assure them of his love and solicitud'
in their behalf. He was also the besre
of tender messages of love from thei
good old Bishop Howe, who, while hi'
heart and mind are both strong ant
clear, suffers in body from the myste
rious malady, paralysis, which has fss
tened upon one side of his physica
frame, and whose once magnifcen
voice, 80 full of power and pathos, i
now almost indistinct.
Bishop Capers spoke Of his visit II
bis people on the storm swept coast ant
said the desolation wrought must b'
seen to be fully realized. Ancestra
homes destroyed, trees of century,
growth Frustrated, crops gone and
saddest OF all, precious lives lost beneath
the relentless food. He also feelingly
related q thrilling incident to which
we snall hereafter refer.
The Bishops sermon was based upor
the eternal and copsolatory declara
ton of Holy Writ, "In all thy way
acknowledge Him and He will direc
thy paths" He began his discourse by
saying that upon one of the highe
mountain passes Of Scotland there is
rock worn by centuries of use into tht
form of chair, and engraved above i
the words, Traveller, rest, and bt
thankful" In Gods mercifu! provi
dence we have reached day where WI
should "rest and be thankful" Th'
Church has appointed day of thanks
giving which gives place to the genera
thanksgiving whenever called. The
custom is now general over the State.
as we'll as the Federal Government
and it would be joyous day to hin
were every forge and factory closed
that the music of the loom and anvil
might give place to the sweeter strain!
of heavenly melody-and from tn
busy marts and avenues of trade every
where, men might go up to the sanctu
ary as willing worshipers, ITO rende
thanks for the great benefits they hav'
received at His hands, to hear Hi
most holy word, to set forth His mos
worthy praise aud to ask those thing
which are requisite and necessary al
well for the body as the SOUL"
"Let the people praise Thee, o God
yea let all the people praise Thee; thel
shall the earth yield her increase, AM
God, even our own God, shall give u
His blessing"
Nations, said the speaker, have d
part in the great hereafter; it is will
the individual soul that God will deal
Gods word for it that nations are build
ed and prospered in Time, when the.
fear God and walk in his ordinances
etc.; but they are plucked up or pun
ished when they profane His way
and walk with impious step upon Hi