The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1896-11-27
UNION PRESBYTERIAN
Wore Held Ia tbs Second Church

poFS'nes we're iIrtu III thh Sctonu Church
Sermon by the Rev. Mr.. spterr.
The three Presbyterian congregations,
those OF the First, Second and Third
churches, held union Thanksgiving ser
vices at the Second church in the morn
Ing. An elaborate musical programme
was rendered. The sermon was by Rev.
Mr.. spcers, pastor of the Second church.
Among other things he said:
"A writer Aas said, THE true slgnlf-
canoe OF n national festival lies In the
Idea which leads to its establishment,
and It Is not Of the slightest consG-
quence, save as u matter of curiosity; to
trace back the nnalogles which can, as
a matter OF course. be found In tho pages
OF history
"The national feetival of thanksgiving
In the United States OF America Is be-
coming surrounded by n great many
traditions. It's true feature Is being lost
sight OF. and ere hong It will be the work
OF the Archaeological to deliver from Its
tomb the true Idea OF this festival"
Mr.. Speers told of days set apart for
similar purposes as Thanksgiving by
various nations and by the American
colonies. He also spoke Of the procla-
nations OF Washington and Lincoln and
continuing said:
so that to-day the proclamation Is
sued byNGrover Cleveland, President of
these United States, is being observed
by all religious bodies in every state in
the grandest and greatest nation on the
face OF Gods earth.
Where Is the nation? Where Is the
people that could pass through such a
crisis as we have just passed through,
that could, With united hearts, sit down
together In heavenly places, as we do,
and offer unto God thanksgiving for
His bountiful providence and tender
mercies toward US during the year that
Is fast drawing to a close? And this
brings us to consider what our duty Is
on this day! and review In n brief way
the events which have passed and what
we owe to the glvGr OF every good and
perfect gift.
Thanksgiving Is q part Of divine
worship, and an important part. 1t con-
sists of acknowledging God as the
source Of all good, and rendering CRATE
full homage to the power, wisdom, and
goodness of Him who givetth literally
and wlthhOldeth not. Many and great
have been the gifts OF God to US during
the year, both temporal and spiritual.
AS q nation we have enjoyed q condi-
ton of health throughout the country,
which. perhaps. is the greatest blessing
n nation can enjoy, for on this to a great
degree depends the happiness and pros
perlty OF the people. There has been
no epidemic of disease to 'disquiet the
commercial nor mar the Industrial luter-
ests, there has been the usual fatalities,
which must be expected here and there
the garments Of mourning, but all In all
God has been very gracious and mercl-
ful to us, protecting us from the pesti-
lences which have decimated other coun-
tries, and for this blessing how earnes.
should u thanks giving rise 10 the
throne Of Grace.
"As 4 nation God has blessed our land,
and n bountltul harves. has been gath
cred TO supply u wants and those OF
other nations. Hear the piteous cry OF
ADMINISTRATOR India as she holds out
her skeleton hands and cries bread
Look at Ireland, rs she stands stricken
looking at her sources OF life rotting in
the fields. All. how thankful we should
be as we look down into the valley and
over the broad plains and behold bread
fruits enough for the whole world gath
cred into the store-houses that dot the
bosom OF this faIr land. Behold the
flocks and herds %pasturinS on q thousand
hills. and We are assured of food and raj
ment sufficient for our wants. Look
where We will from the shores of the
Atlantic 10 the shores of the Pacific anG
we nre forced to exclaim, How her corr
and her wine have increased
What nation could have passed
through such an election as we have
passed through without revolution anG
bloodshed. and what people, when the
contest has ended would shake hands
and join forces for the strengthening
uplifting and prospecting OF the country
other than the people Of these United
States? What nation In the world SO dc.
sires to live at peace with all the world
more than this nation? What nation
more than this nation SO strives to bring
about the angels message on the plain:
OF Bethlehem Peace IN earth, good vii
toward men,
1T Is true there are war clouds upon
the horizon. AT any moment the trum'
pet may sound for defenders OF hearth:
and homes, but on this Thanksgiving
day earnest hearts, from honored Presl.
dent to the humhlcst citizen. are pouring
lItiI pSbLtIJLio tHdL LIE 'Uu VI UtdCt
will. Intervene and bring about q peace.
full settlement and the freedom to the
inhabitants Of war-torn Cuba All, how
different this thanksgiving day to the
one on which the day became q natlona,
festival. 1t was truly born nmid the
roar OF cannon, the rattle OF musketry
the Groans of the dying. the wall OF
mourners and desolated fields and
smouldering ruins. But to-day w
stand q united people. Strong In the
Lord and the power OF His might, which
Is more effective for the advancement O
peace and civilization, than the fines;
implements OF war ever invented, wht
can measure the prosperity of our ma,
ton? Listen to the clatter and clang o
the ponderous machinery as 1t turns on
the implements of commerce and trade
Watch the hurry and hustle in the grea,
marts Of business, behold the great ar,
my Of American workmen as they haster
to their daily avocations. Up In New
England the spinning wheels and looms
weaving the warp and wool Of the cloth.
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