The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-11-30
IN THE CHURCHES.
Thanks Offered Up From
the Pulpit.
Appropriate Services and Impressive
Sermons on Topics Pertinent
to the Day.

The congregations of the Calvary Pres
byterian church, of which Rev. Dr. Hemp
hill is pastor. aud the First Congrega-
tional Church united in Thanksgiving
services yesterday. The services were
held in the First Congregational Church,
and Rev. DR.. Hemphill delivered an inter
estiug sermon, which was pertinent to the
occasion.
The topic of the clergyman's address
was, IAN Overlooking Cup" He took his
text from Psalms, xiii 6-"My cup run
meth over"
In opening his sermon DR.. Hemphill re-
TERED to the formal call of the President
for the general observance of the day
throughout the nation. He was pleas ed
10 see so m any present 10 give thanks for
what had been gwen by bountiful provi-
dence, and TO pray for continuance of
the same blessings through the coming
year. He then referred to his text, and
from that drew the following deductions /:
"First-Take the cup of creation. We
see an overlooking cup everywhere. In
spite OF all that pessimists say to the con-
trary, we see nature everywhere going
beyond the bounds of mere utility. This
God OF nature is not niggardly in tbs be-
stOwment of his gifts. And the pessimists
accuse the God of nature of cruelty as well
as of parsimony. They tell us that nature
is red in tooth and claw; vast colos.
scum. dripping with blood. Nature"
says John Stuart Mill, suggests to nv
mind the idea of demiurge, not that of a
benehcent and all-wise Creator Man
IS the demiurge-not nature. The whole
creation is suffering from mans misdreds.
"Second-Let US take the cup of social
blessings. Ii. too, runneth over. How
many listers. richer than those of Eschol,
are pressed into this cup?-frIendshp,
philanthropy. art, science. philosophy,
music, poetry. patriotism, commerce,
Home. Sweet HomeP Perchance l touch
chords of sorrow in this reference to home.
Some of you have been reft of loved ones
and the stngs of your bereaved hearts are
l0osed and bleeding on this THANKSGIVING
day and you cannot keep the coming tears
back at the thought of your great loss
But can you not forget your loss in their
gain? Can you not join in the song of
than ksgivlng sung by the angels when & g
loved ones went up TO glory and to God 3?
Their cup of joy is full. Bring the bios
Gods altar today. The cup OF social bless
lngs verflOw.-abundance yea, SUPER
abundances everywhere.
"Third-Lst us take the cup OF spiritual
blessings. overflows most of all. Has
not God given US civil and religious lib
erty? Do we not sit here under our own
vine and fig tree, none daring to make us
afraid? This Bible is not bound. There
Is o chain round this pulpit God does
not save us and nothing more; he saves
US surprisingly. He does not just pardon
us; he mutiplies pardons. Peters idea OF
forgiveness was seven times; Christs
was seventy times seven-an OVERLOOKING
cup of forgiveness. An ancient king par
doned Ger ain Indicators, but when tney
Knocked at the palace gate and begged for
bread he answered. No, l promised you
pardon. not bread God pardons US and
then brings us into the palace of the king
aud spreads for US feast of roy j dainties.
The cup Of spiritual blessings overflo :
abundance. yea superabundance. every
where.
Fourth-Let us take the cup of national
blessings. 1t, too, runneth over. To hear