Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-11-27

as the human fam!ly spends for all ne
cessitites. comforts. and Injuries"
DR.. wright said we should he thankful
for the following spiritual blessings:
!. Religious liberty. which means the
right TO worship God according to the
dictates Of our own consclcnccs. a free
Bible. no taxation to sustain dOgmas
which we do not believe and teachers
whose morality IS questionable. no inqui-
sitlon, and free opportunity to evange-
lie the nations
p Salvation. The apostles were directed
10 rejoice, not so much because the devils
We're subject unto them. as because their
names were written in Heaven.
g. The age OF great opportunities TO the
Christian. They are manifold and far
reaching.
Speaking OF the Pessimlst, DR.. Wright
said:
go back and stand In the darkness OF
the past. and then ask is the world get
ting better? See Crossus crucifving 1000
slaves (captivcs In war no exchange Of
prisoners them; Augustus, 5000; Trojan
making 1900 FIGHT and prolonging the
hght i23 days for the amusement of the
people.
"Think OF the Bastile and the slave
trade. and then ask, rs the world grow
ing better? Yes
out OF the shadow Of night.
The world moves into the light;
'Tis daybreak everywhere
what return shall we make TO God for
his blessings? We answer: a pious ana
useful life"
The Thanksgiving service AT the West
View Baptist church at 1890 o'clock
was Of a very simple nature 1t was
opened by singing. praise Cod from
whom all blessings Cow" which was fol-
lowed with prayer By the pastor. Rev
7. VI. Mercer. After the reading of the
Thanksgiving proclamation issued 10y
the President Of the United States the
congregation Joined in singing the ma
tionai hymn. My Country. 'Tis Of Thee"
Psalms 81. IS, and 100 were read by the
pastor. who made n few appropriate re-
marks. The hymn, How Firm Foun1a-
ton" was sung and the congregation
dismissed with the benedictlon.
W here Our Methodists WorsIiippcd.
The congregations Of Trinity, Union
Station, Fairmount. and St. James Metho-
dist churches united I'm Thanksgiving
services at the latter house of worship
at il o'clock. the sermon being preached
by Rev. J. y. Nlastin. Rev. DR.. Wander
slice read the 10Th Psalm and offered
prayer. while Rev. Mr.. Beadles made the
closing invocation.
The discourse Of Rev. Mr. Mastin was
based on the 3lst and 32d verses Of the
first chapter Of Luke and, like all Of
this minister's sermons. il was a plain.
practical one, delivered with intense
earnestness and great force. Holding up
Christ as the first. and greatest of all
blessings from Cod TO the world the
preacher said he would begin at the
beginning and talk of Jesus. Referring
to the words Of the text-the message Of
the angel TO Mary-he pictured the wide
ness of Gods love and the fulfill
ment of Ills promises. and passed TO
discussion OF the many things for which
the Almighty should be praised
OWE HIM OUR LIVES.
at IS TO Christ" the preacher con-
tended. that men directly owe their
lives and attending blessings: and it is
sin that keeps Christ out Of individual
municipal, State. and national life Jesus
IS to-day. as He always has been-the
central figure Of the world. the hope of
the worid-and the trend Of events in
the world to-day IS but preparatory TO
His second coming.
The incarnation OF the Son OF God was
the grandest event in the worlds history,
and the assembling Of His people to-day
the bringing of their gifts and thanks 20
be laid at His feet-is in recognition Of
this great truth"
Mr. Mastin spoke Of the many crises
through which this country had passed
and how peculiarly blessed this nation
had been from its foundation TO the pres
ont time. lie reminded his heaters that
this was not our country. but Gods. and
that as the Lord was the source Of all
things worth the having so was He the
one TO whom all thanks, praise. and
alteration should be directed. The ser
mon closed with a strong plea for the
recognition of Christ in all individual
and governmental affairs TO the end that
peace might abide with the nation and
Gods love in the hearts Of the people.
An Offering was made for the Old
Ladies' Home.
THE SERVICES At CENTENARY.
Quite large congregation attended the
union services At Centenary Methodist
church yesterday morning. 4 forciful
sermon was preached by Rev. T. J. Tay-
lor, who took as his text. What shall l
render unto the Lord for all his BENEFITS
rendered unto me? | will take the cup
Of thanksgiving and call unto the name
Of the Lord. ] Will pay my vows unto
the Lord"
After speaking of the mercy o. the
Lord. the minister dwelt on the teach
lngs Of God which directed his people
TO pray for other blessings.
Rev. DR.. Starr led in the closing prayer.
which was an eloquent and appropriate
invocation. The music was specially
and appropriate
The Episcopal Services.
Beautiful and fitting Thanksgiving ser
vices were conducted at Monumental
church yesterday morning at IL o'clock.
Rev. Fenner 5. Stickncy, the rector, had
returned from Mathews county and he
preached very able and delightful SER
mon from Proverbs xiv. 3i-"Righteous-
ness exalteth q nation. but sin IS re-
proach 20 any people" Mr.. Suckncy
smoke first Of the importance Of the day
saying that II was the only day on which
the civil authority babe the people 10
worship Almighty God. and to thank Him
for the blessings lie had bestowed upon
them Said the minister: our laws and
and political institutions
are practically silent on the subject Oh
the Deity save the proverb on our coin
and the lesson Of this day. We are in
cllned TO boast so much OF our excel
encies and successes. and look with
pride on our marvellous progress ana
power that we get to feeling we are the
people Of the Lord. and knowledge viii
perish with us. But the perpetuity of our
institutions rests on ine lllllIdlioh "a
personal religion into the individual lives
Of the people that make up our nation;
In the arts and practices Of virtue; in the
majesty OF the people and the dignity
Of citizenship; in the being right with
God.
PROGRESS OF CIVILIZATION.
"To be right with Him means states
not professional politics; J..
means due proportion Of things gene
rally; labor respecting capital and |
capital respecting labor, each acknow-
lodging gifts and value Of the other.
81 apcr ,noves the world and drags |