The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-11-30
IN THE CENTRAL CITY.
Union Services at the Penn Avenue Bap.
tist Church.

IlSt InuTcn.
A large congregation, representative
almost every church in the central city,
met in the Penn Avenue Baptist church
yesterday morning to unite in Thanks
giving service. Rev. Warren G.. Part
ridge conducted the opening services
and appropriate portions Of, Scripture
We're read by Rev. Dr. Mcleod of the
First Presbyterian church.
A large choir, directed by Professor
John T. Watkins, sang several pieces
of festival music, including Fear Not
Land by Maker and Sir Joseph
NBarnbys beautiful Thanksgiving an
them, 20 Lord How Manifest Are Thy
Works, Rev. w. Ii. Pearce,. p. D., Of
Elm Park church, offered special prayer
and in eloquent language, which made
deep impression, rendered thanks for
the bountiful blessings bestowed upon
the earth during the past twelve months.
Miss Richmond played selected offer
tory voluntary, accompanied by Richard
Weisenflue on the violin. The offer
tory was devoted to the Lackawanna
hospital and in response to a pressing
appeal made by Rev. Warren G. Part
ridge a considerable sum was realized.
Rev. Mr.. Alrich's Sermon.
Rev. G. l.. Alrich, pastor of the Grace
Reformed Episcopal church, preached
the annua sermon from jeremiah, xviii,
7-l0 and in introducing the subject of
his discourse portrayed Davids singing
his hymn of thanksgiving and empha-
sized how appropriate it was for them,
that day, to unite with David in render
ing their thanks to the Almighty God
for his. bounty to this country.
That.God had smiled on this land and
that they We're that day rejoicing was
not strange, as he was a God of mercy,
and through all their troubles and sor-
rows, his providnetial hand could be
seen ministeing to their wants and they
could, therefore, unite in rendering
their thanks to the God of Gods, the
King of Kings. and the Lord of our Fa-
therland, for his great blessings to the
people, of this great country. Con-
tinuing he said:
II would be recreant to my duay if /
were satisfied with simply calling upon
>Nu to5praise God. In our Affections
troubles. we hear in deep under
es the voice of God calling the ma
to repentance, and it would be
tise to close our eyes to the perils
ylAch assail our land and it would be
hnwise not to fathom the cause and,
by the power Of God, rectify the mis-
takes. ....
The Thirst for Wealth:
zone of the chief perils is the thirst for
wealth; with consecrated wealth there
can be no issue. Praise God there are
men and women who, out of their
bounty, give literally for the use and
benefit of their fellow men, but the con-
ditions in this country make it easy
comparatively to gain wealth, and
houses are purchased by money, con-
Ventions are carried by money, legis-
latures are inflenced by money, and even
the decisions Of the judiciary have
been known to be affected by money,
and, like Israel of old worshiping the
brazen serpent, people in this country
cry out, Great is the almighty dollar!
another evil that threatens our land
is that non-Christian socialism has been
nourished by the darkness and its
pernicious influence has been seen
leavening the mass of non-church going
people. The creed of non-church going
Socialism is to do away with the church,
property and all forms of government,
and If successful in it's achievement
will create a state of society which will
imperil the liberty Of our country and
its constitution.
Another peril is inlldelity, as wit
messed by the fact that Ingersoll can
now Secure an audience including the
eliteSof the'l land But the evil of drink
ing far outTeaches all others. 1t costs
the country one billion dollars, and II
the frontages of our saloons, counting
twenty feet each, were placed in line
they would reach from New York to
Chicago. Their power is Infinite and
they cansay to the Legislature, Our will
is your law; disobey it If you dare.
Cause of Irreligion. is,
"Irreligion arises from dishonorng
the Sabbath the holy writ to observe
the Sabbath day is nationally desc
Grated. Last summer the street cars on
Sundays bore the notice Sacred. con-
cert at Laurel Hill park today" For
what purpose were the concerts pro-
noted? Simply to place more money in
the company's Golfers. His day was
desecrated for yellow gold. The Sab