The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1898-11-25
RETAIN THEM.
DR.. Scott Believes in Keep
inc Our New Possessions.

Old South, Piedmont, All Souls, Beth
any, the First Presbyterian, Christ,
Hope, South Unitarian, South Baptist
and Second Advent churches united in
a union service at Pilgrim Church In
spite of the stormy weather, the audit
orium of the church was crowded. The
services We're exceedingly interesting.
Rev. DR.. Willard Scott of Piedmont
Church delivered the sermon Of the
day, treating the Philippine question in
q mastery manner. Rev T. Richard
Peede, Rev. G.. w. Kent, Rev. A. G.
Todd, Rev. w. A. Burch, Rev. Roland
A. Nichols, Rev. M II. Harris, D. D.,
and Rev. E. w Phillips assisted in the
service, over which Rev DR. Lewis pre-
sided. A special and delightful pro-
gram of music was furnished by the
Pilgrim Church quartet The pulpit
platform and choir gallery were mod
estly decorated with fruits of the har-
vest.
In opening, Rev. Dr. Scott spoke Of
the origin of Thanksgiving. Follow
ing the Pilgrims fine example, we do
we'll today, as our first duty in Thanks
giving, to make mention of Gods
plenteous blessings to us this past year.
good to us and our labor has
prospered in our our hands 1t is
fitting that we should remember him
and return in this public way our
grateful acknowledgment.
e. - If Miles Standish were standing
here today, what would he advise us
concerning our future, as we look out
on the problems before US?
1ir7a fvs =
full. or would they seem awe-fnspiring
and morally reckoning? We have
spent the year in much anxiety and
darkness, and much of sorrow and pain,
in much also of marvellous achieve
ment, beyond our imaginings to see,
and of gratitude and joy. We have
known what it was to feel that we
are truly in the hands of God. For
the immense benefits of this year, we
have occasion to be thankful to al
mighty God. For president over our
country, suddenly and splendidly re-
vealed as a vast well-poised, humane
and representative man. 1t is not for
US to boast, and certainly not on this
day of our Thanksgiving, but who can
fail to be impressed and instructed by
the startling success of our national
strategy and war.
How could one Git may be fair to
w
omnipotent power, have conspired
events in advance, and controlled all
agencies and wills, SO as to have pro-
duced d more brief or brilliant VIC
tory, or one more in the interest of
our most enlightened prayers.
There are those among us (among
whom | number myself who believed
that at the time war was declared, the
resources of diplomacy had not been ex-
!, fa1 10. ~,
face of actual conditions, no patriot
faltered. That it was so suddenly and
signally successful, seems to mark it
as the finger of God for the guidance
for America.
Other doors than those at first OBJ
servable have been opened. With the
splendor and suddenness of a meteor
in the night, the Philippines came into
view, and with them, relations to the
far east of unknown proportion and
value. The retired claims of Hawaii
appeared again and in mightier force
than before old treaties involving
rights or claims in the Pacific seas be-
gan to be brushed up and recalled.
AS the war proceeded, other West In
dian islands of the Spaniard became
involved. Porto Rico came our way
and seemed anxious to come. Especia-
ly was the power of our navy revealed
country and of the world emphasized,
and beyond all else as effecting the
permanent interest of us all, and all
men everywhere, the controlling force
of England, in world politics, and the
mother love that watches her first-b born
to whom on the first alarm of fedora
ton of continental powers in favor of
her enemy, she flew with open arms.
Suddenly the Anglo-SaxOn race on both
sides of the sea, and one might say on
almost all sides of all seas, appeared as
unit on the face of the earth, of com
mon stock. ideals and purposes. A
world-power second to none in the for
nation of history. And this as a Who'll
| ly unsolicited demonstration a thing
implanted much of it incapable of
| being planned, at least with any Sc.
| curity of success.
! Things came of themselves. The
wreck of the Mainel Was ever before
projectile fired that did such execu-
| ton backward? The refusal of Spain
| to either acknowledge or amend it; the
sympathetic federation of the continen.
| tai powers for the help of Spain arous-
| ing the mother-loVe of England. Then
! in a moment, Dewey at Manila anc
/ Salisbury at London, We're heard. Ii
a moment things shaped themselves az
| by the plan and hand of God. from
| which no door of honorable retreat has
yet opened.
! Whether we will or not, a situation
| of worldwide significance has arisen
| We may stand before it, appalled,. w,