Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1897-11-26
BRATTLEBORO LOCAL.
AND PRAISE
For the Mercics and blessings
of the Year

list aud Congregational Churches.
Comfortably to the proclamations of
President Mckinley and Governor Grout.
and in accordance with their long estab-
lished custom, the people of Brattleboro unit
ed Yesterday in special services of Thanks
giving for all the good gifts of the year Just
closing. The day was ushered in with a
sunrise meeting at the Universalist church
under the auspices of the young peoples
religious societies of the several churches
and conducted by Frank Flagg, Arthur
MAYNARD. Sanford Daniels and Kenneth
Emerson. the presidents of these societies
The church was trimmed with laurel and
evergreen. Musical selections were rem
dered by Miss Lenna Thomas and Frank
Brasor.
Union services we're also held in the
Congregational church at IL o'clock
congregation OF over 200 people being
present. Above and on either side Of the
platform was United States fl tg, while
ears of corn on a background OF evergreen
around the front of the platform and
large sheaf of wheat beside the pulpit sug-
gested reasons for giving thanks. Mrs. G.
M Brazer opened the service with an or
gan voluntary which was followed by Sc
lection by a quartet consisting of Miss EN-
Stearns and f. II. Brasor. Rev. ii. ID.
Maxwell then led responsive reading of
the 10th Psalm and, after the singing of
a familiar hymn. announced by Rev. c. o.
Day, Rev. L. d. Temple read for scrip
ture lesson portions of the 18th and 10th
chapters of | Chronicles. Then came
solo by Mr.. Brasor followed by prayer by
Rev. j. D. Beeman. Mr. Beeman gave
thanks for the multitude of blessings
which we have received and said that we
owe our best service that we may be faith
full to our great mission as nation and
that our influence maybe felt throughout,all
the nations of the world. He asked that
we might realize that all our gifts come
from God and that we might have contin-
ued prosperity in everything that makes
for the upbuilding of our nation.
The sermon was preached by Rev. Mr..
Osgood Of the Unitarian church. The
benediction was pronounced by Rev. Mr..
Maxwell The annual collection for the
Associated Charities amounted to little
over $50
THE Thanksgiving Spirit"
The theme of the sermon by Rev. Z. Q.
S. Osgood the newly-settled pastor of the
Unitarian church, was 1.-The Tbanksgiv-
ing Spirit" The text was from | Chron-
icles, XxI, "a: "Give thanks unto the
Lord for he is good" Mr.. Osgood said in
substance:
Nothing can be conceived of as being
more widely spread among Gods creatures
than the sentiment of gratitude. This is
universal feeling, 1t is common to the
brute creation. 1t is common to human
ity. On birthdays, at Christmas time, in
the season of harvest, are there special rea-
sons at work why this feeling of thankful
ness should be deepened. At such peri
DDS, above all others, are we drawn the
closer together. GIFTS are frequently in
terchanged More precious tokens, too,
from the heart and soul life of man are
transmitted from household to household.
But our souls are filled with Joy and glad
ness at this hour because of the divine
goodness which is ever encircling us, be-
cause from our father in heaven blessings
have been received, are daily being re-
ceived, for which we would return humble
and sincere thanks.
The scripture lesson of the morning has
brought before us a Thanksgiving day
which took place centuries before the birth
of Christ. King David and his followers
are there represented as praising God for
his goodness. But many times since then
have people gathered together to utter the
same prayer, to sing the same song. Thus
worshipped, though with fear and trem-
bling, in the catacombs of Rome, scattered
bands of believers when the name of
Christ was an unaccustomed name upon
the lips. Our Pilgrim Fathers, when their
first harvest had been reaped, gave thanks
to the Lord, whose gift of sunlight and
rain had made possible first the blade,
then the ear. after that the full corn in the
70 oft nf xuhn
welfare is so dear to us, meet in this place
of worship today to offer up our need of
gratitude and praise.
Throughout the vast prairies of the
West have fruits and grain been garn-
cred in lavish plenty to crown the labors of
the husbandman. While, hand to hand with
this harvest plenty (ndeed, in a great
measure as a direct result from it) do we
see in many directions a revival of business.
Once more are mills and shops and factories
thrown open and thronged with busy
workmen, fastening to meet the demands
of an ever increasing trade. The Presi-
dent, in his proclamation, says: "The
mighty hand of God has preserved peace
and protected the nation" This thought,
surely, presents ground for gratitude. Nor
can we deny its force as we mentally con-
trast the steady prosperity which attends
people enrlcned by sucn blessing, Win
the horrors and devastation that follow in
the track of war
Finally, have we not all personal reasons
why we feel it would be simply just for
the good Father of us all to receive our
souls purest thankfulness on this day of
days? Only think of the health and hap
Iiness that have made our homes so bright
Only think of the hours when sin and en-
ticing temptation have been swept back
and our lives kept pure and strong! Only
think of our belief in things noble, becom-
ing the more steadfast, and our hopes add
ing to themselves diviner lustre, as wells
are lifted from what seemed gloomy and
desolale before! Do we not behold a
divine love, divine wisdom. interviewer
with such experiences, even as the gold
thread appears in the flashed tapestry?
Let US then, as we take part in The
Thanksgiving festival think of the bless
ings that are really left us to enjoy. Let
us disrniange them from what gives
anxiety and pain. Then shall our hearts
be touched by the true spirit of the hour,
as out OF their depths, in brave tIust and
confidence, rise the familiar household
words: "Give thanks unto the Lord for
He is good, for his mercy endureth forever