The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-11-26
THE DAY AT THE CHURCHES.
Larger Congregations Than Ever
Known at Thanksgiving.


Known at Thanksgiving.
Thanksgiving services were held at sew
eral of the churches. AT the First Pres
byterian church union services of the Bap-
lists, Lutherans, Presbyterians and Meth.
odists were held. Contrary to the ex-
pectation of many the church was crowd
ed. Many were seated in the balcony
while others had to secure places in the
aisles 1t was thought that the congre-
cation would not be large enough to fill
one of the larger churches, and on that
account and of its very convenient loca,
ton the First church was selected. Any
of the others would have been pleased
to have had the services, but 1t was re-
garded as useless to have a large church
to hold what was expected to be but a
small congregation.
The seats in the pulpit were occupied by
the pastors of those churches which took
part in the services. Rev. John D. Jor-
dan of the First Baptist, Rev. ]. H.
Scruggs of Trinity, Rev. w. A. Nisbet of
the Second Presbyterian, Rev. A. M. Will
Jams of Wesley Monumental, Rev. w. C.
Schaeffer of the Lutheran Church of the
Ascension, and Rev. James Y. Fair of the
Independent church. Rev. M. J. Epting of
st. PauPs Lutheran church was also pres
ent. He offered the closing PRAYER and
a feature of the service. 1t had been given
special attention and was rendered with
great harmony and expression. The solo
of Mrs. Mize was particularly enjoyed.
The sermon was preached by Rev.
James D. Chapman. pastor of Duffy Street
Baptist church. Mr.. Chapman had been
selected by the ministerial board of the
city to conduct the service. He took the
text for his sermon from Colossians 2.7.
Rooted and brought up in Him and es-
tabllshed in the faith as We have been
taught, Astounding therein with thanks
giving"
Gratitude" said Mr.. Chapman. us the
handspring of a happy life migrate
Iulness leads to error to sin, and to a
darkened heart in life. THANKSGIVING dav
commentaries a great event, and is a
great occasion. We have had the an
gathering of the harvests for the wear. and
we meet to show gratitude to the giver of
every blessing, for a >bountiful harvest.
and for all other blessings. 1t is nor
enough that we give thanks once a wear
but like incense, it should go up from the
altar OF the heart every hour. Men serve
God in three ways: As slave for fear Of
the lash as hireling for pay: and than
what as far better, as a son for the Iova
they bear their Father and the interest
they feel in his work. We also stand in
about three relations to truth. They are
us opponents those neutral towards it; and
ITS friends, and happy possessors IL DC
a son we serve God and possess sratit,,% S1
IN our hearts then will this ThahksoiI,jne,
service be one of great profit TO rs and
of glory to God. anu
we should consider to-day some rea-
sons for thanksgiving: First. thanxs.
second the occasion for giving thanks
ana third some practical lessons in
thanksgiving. AS to the reason ,n ~
THANKSGIVING, we find them laid down bI,
Paul in this little epfstle Saws he W.
give thanks to God the Father first ne
cause we are fitted for the inheritance of
the saints of life. He made us meet for
Ihe inheritance OF the saints of life. }"
Then inheritance spoken of here ,,,,st
have reference to the inheritance az 49,.
children of Israel in the land of Canoar
The idea of inheritance among us tbot 90
man succeeding one who has died of+o,,
confuses us as to the Biblical notion Tba
Bible notion, however, is that we Inherit
by right just as the children of TeraI
did so we shall enter upon our inheritar,oo
or the portion which the Lord has nro,
vided for each one of us here.
This inheritance we do not enter ,,no,,
because we merit 1t, or because there Is
any goodness within US, or because u, 20
have won it with our aims bDt be,,,'e
alone of the goodness of God, and of bjs
favors towards us. This inheritance is
His own gift. and we enter into n Nc -
favor from him.
This Inheritance is both present and
future possession. All the blesslngs 49,,
receive from God is in some measure given
to us here. They may be said to he IN
the body, while the flower may be seen IN
heaven. They manifest to us an imbrion-
Tx form. but there they shall be perfectad
in their beauty and power
Ihis inheritance, we notice, is situated
Continued on Third Papa