The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-11-26
AT FLETCHER-PLACE CHURCH.
Sermon by Rev. G. e. w. DObbs, of
the SOuth-Street Baptist.

At Fletcher7place M. E. Church there
was a union Thanksgiving service of the
congregations of the South-stIeet Baptist,
Sixth Christian and Seventh Presbyterian
Churches. Rev. G. E. w. Dobbs, pastor of
the South-street Baptist Church, preached
the sermon. Rev. r. Roberts, Rev. D. r.
Lucas and Rev. L. w. Bickneli assisted in
the service. An excellent programme of
music was rendered by the large choir. A
collection was taken The proceeds will be
turned over to the Charity Organization So
cety.
LET us come before Him with thanksgiv-
ing" Psalm kew, 2 was the theme of DR..
Dobbss sermon. Speaking of the deriva-
ton OF the word thanksgiving, the pastor
said thank" and think came from the
same Anglo-Saxon root. Originally a
thank meant a Thought" Without q
thoughtful mind there could be no thank
full mind. Thoughtful men, who observe
manifold blessings about them ought to be
thankful at all times, every day should be a
thanksgiving day, and yet, he said, it is
eminently proper to have an annual day set
aside for national thanksgiving. The pastor
then proceeded to recount some of the spe-
cial blessings for which Americans ought to
be thankful at this time, among them the
blessing of an abundant harvest the last
year. Agriculture he characterized as the
basis of wealth. Contrasting the bountiful
harvests in this country with the destitu-
ton and want in others, he said: with our
large domain and diversified climate such a
thing as famine in our country as that in
India can never be known" Facilities in
transportation assure that when there is
scarcity of food in one section of this coun-
try 1t can be easily procured from announcer.
DR.. Dobbs quoted GladstoneS declaration
that America has the finest country for
continuous empire on earth in discussing
the national blessings for which Americans
should be thankful. He spoke of the Ma
constitutional government assuring civil
and religious liberty-as things for which
the Nation should be thankful. America,
he said. has the greatest system OF polltl-
cal economy known among nations.
1.-THE hand of God he said, lis plainly
seen in the settlement of this country and
author of the national hymn, America
My Country tits of Thee'-wrote from
narrow vision. To him Plymouth Rock was
all in all. Our civilization owed much to
the settlement of Virginia as well as to the
New England settlements. 1t seems that
God has a great mission for the English
speaking peoples of the world. | have no
sympathy with filings at England. In the
main her flag has been the emblem OF lib
erty and law The English speaking ma
lions will be the light of the world. Their
mission is to uplift humanity"
He declared that the hand or COD is seen
in the progress of the country since its set
Element particularly in the preservation
of the Union for a great destiny in upllft-
ing the world. He protested against the
people being puffed up with national pride
LEST we forget" as Kiping says. In this
connection he said that there are grave con-
siderations for careful thought. Some of
these were the disastrous political corrup-
ton in the great cities-complications grow
ing out of the immigration of undesirable
classes-the sad alienation between the
churches and the laboring classes. Added
to these perils, he said. are the drink evil
and the saloon evil. But our sky is not all
dark. America is the sun-crowned queen
of the nations and the light of the world.
In conclusion, he declared that there was
great cause for thanksgiving in the multi
Piled spiritual blessings enjoyed. Religious
liberty is not among the least OF America
contributions to statecraft. We are greatly
blessed in Indianapolis with an able min
istry, excellent churches and all those
things that tend to spiritual advancement
We are immortal beings and it would be
unworthy of us to close Thanksgiving
service without profound gratitude to God
for these many religious mercies. Let us
render to Him the thanksgiving of our
hearts for the gift of His Son. Then we
shall join in the great thanksgiving song In
glory"