Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1896-11-27
THANKSGIVING SERVICE.

WINS thJVIQu W NJ vs.
The service opened with, Praise God,from
Whom all Blessings Flow" followed with
the invocation, by A. A.. Layton, pastor Of
the 3aptist church. The choir Of the
Episcopal church then sung an anthem full
Of melody and devotion. This choir merits
thanks from all the churches, for the SER
vice they rendered, | n leading the songs for
this occasion. Rev. George seIbyy Of the
Episcopal church, lead In Scripture read
ipgs. Regret was expressed at the au-
sence Of Rev. II. j. Hoover, on account Of
sickness. WI s,s
The following are some points made In
the sermon by Rev. Norman Skinner
points which cannot be overlooked, II the
citizens Of this community would ever hope
to see the Greater Las Vegas. His text
was Psalm 127:1: Except the Lord build
the house, they labor In vain that build
it," He said: BY the "Greater Las We.
gas" l mean the Better Las Vegas" The
building of the greater city 10 vain, unless
it be built upon the laws of God and the
principles OF divine truth.
The greater Las Vegas will demand and
enforce q sanitary condition Of its streets
and alleys. Its people will not throw
down their garbage to rot in the streets,
and then 60 to church to pray: "delivsr
us from evil" The law Of filth is disease.
The claw is holy, and just and good
The good God will enforce 1t.
The Greater Las Vegas will emancipate
its public schools from the spoil system,
character, tried capacity and proven fit
ness will be the sole basis of selection oil
its teaching force: not the strength Of a
teachers ''pull" with the board Of oduca-
ton. Members OF the board will no long
er be allowed to demand positions for their
favorites, as their share Of school plumber
The Greater Las Vegas will demand and
support a local press devoted to the higher
life of the city, aud emphatic for purity
and Righteousness in personal and public
life. The press will not depend on the
saloon or sporting element for support. II
will be the irreconcilable enemy Of the
curses of the city.
The Greater Las Vegas will have .
church united for the work Of Christ and
humanity, and not divided in sectarian
rivalry. !.
Doctrinal differences will no longer d.
vide Gods church. "What did John the
Baptist do" asked a teacher. HE lighted
John the Methodist" replied the discern
ing little girl. thereby giving q concise
history of decentralization.
The Greater Las Vegas will demand q
Christianity, which is incarnete righteous
ness, and not, a mere crossword" to
heaven, or a sanctimonious faith" which
is a practical evasion Of righteous charac-
ter. It's Christianity instead Of ~censuring,
or suiking at the preachers Of righteous
ness, will stand u~nfiinchingly up to the
level, and glory in it. 1t will not turn its
preachers off, because they have not the
talent of popularity and fiattery, but will
only ask, that they be fearlessly faithful,
to the truth OF the unfiattering God.
The Greater Las Vegas will demand an
independents pulpit, and will support 1t
when it is independent. It will scorn to
go about prating in Loweli's words: II
honor the man who is ready to sink hall
Ills pE6B6ub IcPut6 " II IL CEuOnl W L ~
And when he has thought, be his cause
strong or weak, will risk to'ther half for
the freedom to speak," and then, the mo.
ment its preachers dare to think or speak,
turn and revile them.
1t will demand that its politics be on the
line of Christian morality. 1t will tolerate
no .'pillar" like John Y. McKane. one day
leading his Sunday school, and the next
taken to serve a just sentence in the peni-
Tertiary for election frauds. The coward
ly pulpit is largely responsible for tho
Sunday hypocrite who spends the week
days working in his local Tammany.
The Greater Las Vegas will not say, a.
was said once of a new preacher: "Well,
D. may get along well enough for .
while, but he must say mighty little about
politics, and mustn't say anything at. all
about SALARY"
The Greater Las Vegas will value its
children above its saloons and gambling
houses. 1t will have the grace to educate
its children, without the support OF this
business. 1t will invest more 10 It's
churches and less inthe liquor business and
aristocratic club rooms.
The Greater Las Vegas will have a Sum
day of rest; one day devoted to God, and
to amusements.
To the Greater Las Vegas we throw
down the gauntlet Of q higher life. This
will come by the enforcement Of Christ
cost what it may. The greater is the best,
and worth all it costs. Except the Lord
build the city, they labor in vain that
build it.n
Mr.. Skinner certainly showed his desire
for the Greater Las Vegas, and displayed
teal fearless pulpit power. He deserves
great credit ssfor his contribution to the
city.
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