The leader., 1897-12-01

corruption. whoever studies history
will be profoundly convinced that a
nation stands or falls with the sanctity
of its domestic ties. When there is no
longer purity in our homes, our death
knell as people will be rung. But we
can rejoice that the vestal fire burns
undying within the precincts of the
home. "This is the blessing of Christ,
who presided at the marriage feast in
Cana of Galilee. who loved the home in
Bethany, and consecrated the hearth
stone with everlasting inviolability."
Z. 1t is matter of thanksgiving that
home-bred virtues still survive. Hon
or, integrity and character are yet
worth great deal everywhere. The
world is not going down hill. society Is
not being lowered. There is a leaven
at work yet which tends to publication
and exaltation.
8. But lifting up our eyes to survey
the places and nations beyond our own
borders we find something in the as
pect of the world to give US encourage
ment. There is progress; the thoughts
Yof men are widening. Nations are
more inclined to submit theta differ
ences to arbitration. The world is
getting nearer to the time when
"All mems good shall be each mans
rule
And universal peace shall lie
Like shaft of light across the land,
Aud like a lane of beams athwart the
sea,
Thro' all the circle of the golden year."
Everything is not as we would have it
in the great world around us, for Span
ish and Turkish despotism still spoil
and crush, but also there exists
powerful and widening sympathy for
their victims.
8. Further, as residents of this place,
we ought to be thankful because of the
signs of improvement visible here.
Trade is enlarging. aud still more i'm
portant, there are utilities and conve-
niences in prospect which will add
much to Brookhaven. When the water
works aud electric light systems are
completed we will not fall much short
Of the advantages of q city. Every one
of us ought to take generous pride
in the upbuildipg of this place, striv-
ing to render it more beautiful and
orderly and noble. More paint and
flowers, and reading and church going
and literary societies, better support
of our schools, aud better church
buildings and music, and neighboriy
communion and public CO operation in
the putting down of evils would help
US vastly.
10. / have enumerated thus briefly
the things which should excite us to
gratitude to-day, but do not conceive
that this is the end and purpose of
Thanksgiving DISCOURSE To tell you
how you have been blessed and others
have not been, how you have been
saved from cyclones and pestilence and
they have been let loose on other com
munities is not worthy theme for my
speaking or your meditation unless it
brings you to humility and thankful
ness.
There are other matters to be con-
sidered, and matters about which we
cannot congratulate ourselves, am
sure.
l. In the first place 1 say there
should be greater regard for the forms
of law, greater reverence for consti-
tuted authority, greater adherence for
that spirit which causes people to take
the law into their own hands. To this
end all infractions of law by mobs and
lynchings, ought to be discountenanced
and prevented. That is the burning
shame of the land. We have regularly
constituted authorities, officers elected
by ourselves, the courts are open, ju-
ries may be empaneled, and yet hu-
man life is sacrificed to the sudden
impulse of an irresponsible crowd
without any pretense of trial. Heathen
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