Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-11-24
BEAUTIFUL CUSTOM.
Topic Discussed by DIR. Power Before
Three Congregations.

Union services were held today at Ninth
Christian Church, the congregation there
combining with Vermont Avenue and Third
Church congregations respectively, of the
same denomination. Rev. F. D. Power of
Vermont Avenue Church delivered the dis
course His text was:
And He said unto them, Go your way:
cat of the fat and drink the sweet and send
portions unto them for whom nothing is
prepared: for this day Is holy unto our Lord.
neither be ye sorry, for the joy of the Lord
is you strength "-Neh., $40.
No custom known among men, said DR..
Power lis more beautiful than that observ-
ed by the American people today-a practice
originating in New England two centuries
ago, which has extended until it has be-
come national. 1t is one of the many things
for which we are called upon to be thank
full We rejoice that the nation in ma
tional way recognizes the overriding proVi-
dence of God, and we pray that the time
may never come when the chief magistrate
of the republic shall fail on every recurring
autumn to call the attention of the people
to their indebtedness to the God of nations
for the bounties of the year.
Within the year We have fought and won
in a war for God and humanity. The obli-
cation of a great people to serve a weaker
one has been recognized and the praise
for the victory is to be given to Him who
presides over the destinies of nations.
Moral causes give position to a people.
Moral virtues of industry, temperance, JUS
tice and frugality give success to material
enterprises. Honor. integrity, equity and
philanthropy build up republic above all
righteousness exalteth a nation-not union
of church and state; that crippleS the
church and criDples the state. A state
must have a conscience, a conscious sense
of right, of obligation, higher standard of
duty than party or politics, and this
ton has shown It's loyalty to that standard
during this memorable year. In the name
of our God We have set IN our banners
and His favor has crowned them with the
laurel wreath of victory.
Now, why should this day be one of eat
ing and drinking? God has crowned the
year with fairness. The harvests are gath
cred The bountieS of the seasons are
poured into the lap of the year. God has
opened His hands and satisfied all our
wants AS nation large prosperity has
visited our farthest borders. Peace covers
the land, justice has prevailed in our coun-
ellis. Righteousness and truth have tri-
umphed over falsehood and wrong. No
people are equal to ours in worldly pros
perity AS families, individuals, our USE
fulness, our happiness, our bounties have
steadily grown. Shall we not with graft
tude appropriate and enjoy these gifts? Is
it not necessary to a true and just exhibit
ton Of thankfulness that We receive what
God gives and rejoice in it? Does not God
intend that we shall? Is it not misery to
hoard, deny ourselves and refuse to par
take of Gods riches? Will not a Thanks
giving day well kept and Thanksgiving
dinner well served make man better for
all time to come? While every dinner
should be a thanksgiving dinner and every
day of our lives a thanksgiving day, is it
not we'll to come together one special day
in the long year and give thanks, eat the
fat and drink the sweet, and send a por-
ton to them for whom nothing is pre-
pared?'
This is not to be a selfish feasting. No
man properly keeps the day who thinks he
must eat and drink and give thanks and
then feel satisfied God never sends great
privileges and blessings without great re-
sponsibiity as well. Praise is the rent
owe to God, and the larger the farm the
larger the rent. He that loves God must
love his brother also. There is no true
thanksgiving without the spirit of love and
helpfulness. The shepherds did not rejoice
alone in the announcement made to them
on the plains of Bethlehem. When they
had seen the child they made known abroad
the saying told them concerning the child.
Thanksgiving is good thing, Thanksgiving