The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-11-26
AFRICAN NJ. E. CHURCH.
Pastor Rev. Il. A. Grant, ID. ID.
Preached an Appropriate Sermon.

Thanksgiving services of a very in
teresting nature were conducted in the
African Methodist Episcopal church
yesterday morning. The pastor, Rev.
II. A. Grant, b. d., preached an ap-
propriate sermon, taking for his text
the words found in / Thess.. ii:13: For
this cause also thank we God without
ceasing, etc" In part, the speaker
said:
The high standard of civilization, the
character and intelligence of a people,
the prosperity and happiness of nation
are permanent ana eiiicacious only in 30
far as is demonstrated the ability of the
government under which they live, to Sc
cure to it's citizens all the rights of citl-
zenship. Thousands and thousands of
souls today will thank God that the
foundation of the American government
was well laid. The human mind appears
naturally constituted to be religious. All
nations Of men have their religious sys-
TENS. These system are numerous and
varied There is one particular. however,
in which they all agree-the acknowledge
ment of a Supreme Being, from whom
they all profess to be derived. A belief
in the existence of a God is the funda-
mental principle of all religion.
OF all the conflicting systems of religion
that exist in the world only one can be
necessarily be false, for it is impossible
| that two opposites should be true. The
establishment of the truth of any one Sys-
| tenn of religion is virtually, therefore, the
| establishment of the falsehood of every
| opposing system. There can be but one
! Supreme God, and, as a, matter OF course,
| He can have but one WILL for He cannot
| be in conflict with himself If any re-
ligion, then can be proved to be the reve-
| latlon of his will, its claim to be the true
| religion is thereby established. Christian
| ity-pre-eminently claims to be this reve-
| lation.
| The effects and influence OF any sys-
| tenn afford a correct criterion by which
J to judge of its character. Tried by this
| rule the Gospel is all that it processes to
be. We thank God today that it possesses
an enlightenng power and influence, and
! makes known to us the will of God in
| reference to our salvation Reason can
! discover our snfulness, but revelation
only can make known the remedy. The
Gospel reveals Gods gracious design tC
save the nation, the medium through
which salvation is rendered possible, and
the conditions on which, through that
| medium, salvation may be obtained
Another Thanksgiving day is cause fol
| rejoicing that wherever the Gospel has
been proclaimed and reCeved, ignorance
and superstition have been dispelled; mer
| have been made acquainted with thell
rights, and have been taught to respect
the rights of others; and the arts an(
science have been cultivated and have
flourished.
The blessings of civilization have beer
diffused also. May the burden of oul
prayers and songs today be rendered II
thanksgiving to God for the gift of Hi
son, Jesus Christ, the blessings of home
state and national blessings, and for th'
rcformatory power of the Gospel, which
affords practical evidence of its truth
For this cause also We thank God with
out ceasing," not only for all of the bless
ings we have enjoyed, but for thos
Vouchsafed unto every nationality th
| world over.