The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1895-11-30

to the best methods OF developing
mental and physical health in college
life; but it is rather significant that
as the physical become robust, the
moral and religious become inverte-
brate and feeble. The age of sport
is also the age of doubt andsagnosti-
cism, and of shifting morals. 1t may
be only an incidental perallelism in
human experience.
We had good time on Thanks
giving Days in New England fifty
years ago. The weather was cold
and often snowy; there was morn
ing service attended by those who
could be spared from the domestic
preparations for family festivals.
Portions had been sent to the poor,
and the minister had been remem-
bered with key of grapes and a
Rhode Island turkey. The choir had
prepared an anthem, which rent the
air with furious fugues and thunders
from the organ. On the previous
Sunday the clergyman had read the
Governors proclamation, wonder
full State paper, printed on broad
side in large type, and always end
ing, "God save the Commonwealth
of Massachusetts" 1t is said that
when Marcus Morton, Democrat,
was elected by one vote, clergyman
who disliked him exceedingly, read
his proclamation and ended thus:
"Marcus Morton, Governor? God
save the Commonwealth Of Massa-
chusetts"
Besides the private charity, which
was abundant and often undiscrimi-
mating, there was always collection
for the poor, taken in church after
the sermon. In those collections,
which as lad, l often assisted the
treasurer in counting, we rarely
failed to find bad quarter, and a
variety of uncurrent coin. 1t is re-
markable how many people will give
in charity that which cannot be used
anywhere else. 1t was grateful to
my feelings, few Sundays since, to
hear the clergyman in making an ap-
| peal for Christmas box to be sent
to a missionary, urge his congrega-
ton to go downtown and buy some
nice clothes, and new books, and
fresh toys, and first class articles,
and make up just such a box as
each would have sent to son or a
daughter for Christmas. It is hard
ly needful to add that few missiona-
ries will receive more beauti-
full and valuable collection in their
far-away homes this year than the
one which such an appeal produced.
The sermon was generally letting
off of steam, for on Thanksgivings
and feasts the New England clergy
were privileged to preach on what
ever they chose. The sins of dane
ing, of intemperance, of slave hold
ing, of theatre going, and other la
mentations and jeremiades were
much in vogue. There was now and
then a minister who entered into the
spirit of the day in his sermon as
we'll as in his prayer, and dwelt upon
sweet domestic virtues, and home
| blessings, and the dear affections
/ which that day evoked and celebrat-
ed; and from such a service parents
and children went home in proper
spirit to enjoy the festal board, to eat
the fat and drink the sweet, and re-
joice in one another, and in the kind
provisions of a benefcent heavenly
Father. Doubtless there will be
many places where today, in spite of
college boys and their contests, and
opposing "nines," there will be a
true Thanksgiving of the olden
time; where the mercies of the year
will bring grateful praise from loving
hearts, and where pure religion will
hallow family meetings and greet
ings with the grace and spirit of a
higher life and better world. With
such company how delightful to be
gathered, to recall the past, rehearse
the virtues of ancestors and see
them developing in posterity, to lift
the song of praise and to sound on
the notes of courage and hope into
the future.-Aagustus, IN Ne,O York
| Observer.
i'm II Il