The bee., 1897-11-25
GODS GOODNESS.
A Thanksgiving Sermon by Rev.
c. c. Hall, Pastor n. F..
Church.
WIN WE SHOULD BE THANKFUL
Written for The BE

the just and on the unjust MATTHEW
5th chapter 4sth verse.
ITHIS selection of Scripture i:
from the Lords sermon or
a the Mount of Beatitudes, anc
while it was delivered mainly to the
inner circle of his Apostles, yet in
directly for the benefit also of the
listening multitudes. And we that
listen today may claim also that il
is for us and share in the benefits
therefrom.
And now as the Chief Executive
of the nation has issued a proclaim
alton that this the 25th day of No
vember be a day of National
Thanksgiving and requests that the
Nation observe the day, not church
members alone, but all mankind.
Then the question arises in the
minds of some, Why observe this
day?
We answer, God IN his word en-
joins upon us to "Offer unto God
thanksgiving; and pay thy vows
unto the Most High. Palms SO:
IS. And again, blessings and fav-
ors received should be acknowl-
edged.
What have we received "He
maketh the sun to shine, He send
eth rain" Let us refer to the
proclamation;
"Under Gods watchful provi-
dence industry has prospered, the
conditions of labor have been i'm
proved, the rewards of the husband
men have been increased and the
comforts of our homes multiplied,
ETC." These are some of the tenn
poral blessings enumerated, and
are thought to be sufficient to mer.
1t praise and thanksgiving, and
while the text would cite us to
greater things, yet if we fail to rem
der thanks for these, how are we
to receive the greater
blessings, such as the spiritual light
that is in the world, and the drops
of mercy everywhere abundant.
For God commendeth his love
toward us in that while we were
yet sinners Christ died for us. The
evil and unjust are included in this
passage; then the main point is,
therefore. because of his goodness,
love and mercy, both In spiritual
and temporal blessings, we this day,
from a heart filled with gratitude
to God, should erect an altar
and there linger in prayer of
thanks for blessings already re-
ceived, and supplicate Him for
a continuance OF the temporal
blessings, and move that the Sun
of Righteousness might rise with
healing in His wings to clear the
darkness from our lives, while the
raindrops of mercy and grace should
fall across our pathway, thereby
living a life of usefulness in the
Masters vineyard, and a lite OF
praise to his precious name.
Remembering that our lives have
been spared during another year,
that sun and rain, fat and sweet,
gold and silver, are such good
things as our hearts and homes
have been supplied with, we should
be moved to love Him, and return
our gratitude to Him by thanking
Him in earnest prayer, and still
more to show our apprecia ton OIL
His gifts, go to humble homes, OF
those persons who in this life are
not in so favorable circumstances
as we, and initiate that example o
our God, to help those who are no
able to help themselves. Then will
the sun shine this day on you bet
ter man or woman than ever before
if this has not been the way yol
have spent your thanksgiving days
While in the past we may hav'
been very indifferent to God ant
his law, to Christ and his love, we
today let us think of the blessing
Of the past year, and endeavor t
get ourselves in a condition to b
thankful. 1t is sad 10 think tina
this and other similar days com
and go, Gods blessings SO freel
handed down and accepted, an,
some people in this Christian land
this land of Bibles, this land @
churches and church-going people
do not thank God for blessings re
ceived. want to ask of any on
who has never thanked God for hi
love and care to make this resolu
ton; Ere this day rolls into his
tory will go upon my knees ant
render praise and thanks to Him
as the gIver of every good and per
feet Gift.