Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-11-25
LETALL GIVE THANKS
Next Thursdays Observance to Be More
General Than Ever Before.
WHAT THE DAY SIGNIFIES.
Interesting Letters on This Subject from
Several Prominent Ricbinond Minis
ters-Causes for Gratitude.

fers-CauSes TOT Orhtituoe'
THANKSGIVING Day grows In favor with
the southern people year by year. ~
observance has now become quite gene
raj and will perhaps be more whole
souled next Thursday than 1t has ever
been.
The anniversary Is regarded both as
a holiday and holy day; day OF spe-
cial thanksgiving ani praise to the
Ruler Of the Universe; an appointed
time for rest from our daily pursuits, OF
innocent recreation. and for the ministra-
tons Of charity.
Under the proclamatlons OF President
Cleveland and Governor O'Ferrall. which
indicate the special blessings for which
the people OF America, and especially OF
Virginia, should be grateful, and urge
upon all the recognition Of "thc Glver OF
every good and perfect gift" November
10Th will be both a national and State
holiday. The public offices in this city
will be closed services will be held by
all OF the denominations, there will be
family reunions and fine dinners. and II
the celebration Is made complete-and II
surely will be-the' hearts Of the needy
will be made glad and their appetltes
will be satisfied.
What Is the significance OF Thanks
giving-Day? This Is a question or popu-
lar interest. and IL is well answered In
the letters that follow, which have been
written for the Dispatch by special re-
quest:
Righteousness Exnlteth a People.
The call for Thanksgiving antedates
tn. Declaration Of Independence, the as
coyery of America, or the proclamation
Of any president or king.
II IS found in the most ancient ana
sacred of all records; II comes from the
source of all authority; II Is based on the
relations Of the creature to the Creator
on the obligations OF the Infinitely
Obliged to the Supreme Benefactor. The
motive and the inspiration which prompts
TO universal thanksgiving Is the assurance
that every sincere expression OF grati-
tude Is acceptable to Him who declares,
"Nhoso offers praise gl0riheth Me-
When our gratitude becomes too fun
for repression and breaks forth into
adoring homage. our worship Is not only
acceptable to God. but fills the heart or
the worshipper with the purest happiness.
Other acts OF devotion remind us OF our
infrmites and sinfulness. When we make
confession and implore pardon we are
conscious of quiet. but when love casts
out fear and impels to Thanksgiving and
praise we rise TO communion and tel-
lowshp with the forgiving Father. and
become partakers OF His Joy. Other
duties will terminate. In the heavenly
world there will be no occasion FOR
penitence and confession, but praise will
never cease and will constitute the CHIEF
element of the worship of the redeemed
and glorihed.
The propriety OF the appointment Of q
day of general thanksgiving becomes
obvious when we remember that the SER
vices In our churches on each Sabbath
chiefly interest the denominations repre-
sented by these churches, and the people
who have been trained habitually 10
worship in them. II is wen. therefore, by
some public call. published everywhere,
to remind all men OF their obligation.
Irrespective Of any denomlnational ties, to
render homage to the High and Mighty
Ruler of the Universe, In accordance with
the twice-repeatod Injunction Of the
psalmist:
Let all the people praise Thee, o. God;
Let all the people praise Thee"
The sentiment of such call and the
good ends TO be secured by a right
response to II are well expressed by
the President, when he enumerated the
blessings for which we should give
thanks and the objects for which prayer
should be offered, such as the quicken
Ing OF the national conscience TO better
recognition of the power and goodness
OF God, that In our national life We may
clearer see and closer follow the path Of
righteousness.
Such a proclamation appeals both TO
piety and TO patriotism, and reminds
all the citizens OF this great land that
piety Is the truest inspiration and safe
guard Of patriotism: that neither Just
laws, nor free Institutions. nor extent
OF territory, nor fleets, nor armies, nor
inexhaustibie material resources secure
prosperity and happiness 10 people.
but that Righteousness eXalteth ma
tion," and lays the only firm foundation
for its permanent safety, honor, and
glory. All this is in accordance with
the emphatic declaration of the Father
ot His Country. who, In his farewell
address. asserted that "of all the DISPOSE
tlons and habits which lead to political
prosperity religion and morality are in
dlspensable supports. In vain would that
man claim the tribute OF patriotism who
should labor to subvert these great pillars
Of human happiness" Let our OBJ
servance Of the day De harmony with
these vital principles.
MOSES ID. HOGE.
A Holy aud Happy Day.
Thanksgiving Day should be observed
in my judgment. throughout our entire
community. when properly celebrated It
will be a holy day, holiday. and hap
py day.
AS a holy day it will serve TO teach a
cardinal doctrine OF our American creed
namely. that of separation of Church and
state. \ free Church in a free State
shows up gloriously I'm every proclamation
OF the President which appoints Thanks
giving Day. Observe that the head Of the
greatest republic on earth dare not COM
mand the humblest, poorest, or most Is
rant citizen as 10 how, when, where, or
whom he shall thank ana adore. The
President may recommend, but may not
require attendance on our respective
houses OF worship Since his recOmmen-
dation, however meets the approval Of
the national conscience our people should
and will comply with 1t. Behold, then,
what an inspiring example we set all
other nations Of the earth by an eXhibl-
ton Of voluntary but universal plety
under a government where religion is
free 4 free Church In n free State Is
the crownlng glory of the American Con-
stitution.
Thanksgiving-Da should be holiday
a feast day-sacred to ones country and
10 ones family. Thanksgiying-d dinner
should be the occasion Of family reunions.
when the father and mother should be
honored as officers under God. The family
is the cornerstone OF the State. Upon Its
integrity. purity. unity, intelligence. and
mutual love among its members depends
the very life OF American civilization.
Magnify the family on Thanksgiving-Da
After dinner have a good time according
10 any innocent inclination. II you choose
TO "take In" football game I am not
disposed TO condemn lou as sinners above
all men. Peradventure | should like TO
DO the same myself.
To make Thanksgiving thoroughly hap
py day you must. of course. strive 10 make
somebody else happy. How about that
sick friend upon whom you have not had
time TO call for long time? How about
that worthy employee to whom a substan-
tial remembrance would be a godsend
about this time? How about the poor,
struggling 20 pay rent on reduced wages.
or without any wages at all. and with
winter coming on and clothes ragged and
coal scarce and food Scanty? ut IL more
blessed to give than TO receive IL you