The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-11-25
ANACONDA news.
bow The DAY WAS SPENT
THE U SERVICES
Rsv. III. jenkins Delivers IN Interesting
sermon et ths Union Service.
Holy Mass at st. Pauisl
Amusements.

Thanksgiving day was observed yes
erday at the churches with appropriate
1ervices.
The service at St. Paul's Catholic
i church in the morning was largely at
tended by the Catholics OF Anaconda
Holy mass was sung by Father Pirnat.
npaxtor Of the Slavonians OF Anaconda
md the TIE Deum was intoned by DIR.
Bpelman. Miss O'Ragan officiating at
khe organ. Father Toilet. pastor of
the parish. pronounced a very eloquent
sermon. He explained to his parish
foxers the reason why they should be
thankful to God. n said that the past
year had been a very prosperous one
Ind the prospects of a repetition OF the
bne that had gone were very good.
Union services were held at the Pres
1hyterian church. The singing was beau
tiful and the ceremonies impressive. The
eermon was preached by Rev. j. A.
Jenkins of the Baptist church. Mr..
Jenkins said:
"Tbanksgiving day has been observed
for more than $50 years on this con-
kfnent. Originally the religious observ-
Ance OF the day was its chief signih-
Rance. There Ia some danger of drift
ing to the time when too much snail
b made of the turkey and too little
OF the religious service. Even the ser
vices As held in many of our churches
are seized upon as a fitting lime 10
deliver a political address. or to de-
1nounce certain public officials whose
bets have been displeasing. Perhaps
his 10 roper. and In a measure praise
worthy. However, i deprecate the
tendency to pull away from all that is
religious on the slightest pretext. To
me II seems preferable to let In a lit
ale Of n light OF the Christian relig-
ion rather thar to give the day over
20 feasting. or athletic sports. or polit-
1cal n cracking.
Gratitude is always becoming In
bne who Is constantly receiving IA
Sors. There Is nothing which shows a
more selfish or baser mind than to
De unwilling to acknowledge what We
bwe to the kindness of others. still
more should we recognize the good
ness OF our Great Benefactor. This
should we do. not only in private. but
IN pubic assembly, as a community,
a. churches. as friends and neighbors.
A. II fitting that we should come to-
gether. praising our God. who Is Lord
and Father OF us all. Religious fes-
9ivals are of ancient origin. n their
Hanction is found in the good old book.
Among the ancient Israelites the sab
bath was a weekly festival; besides
this was the passover. bringing to their
minds the night when death was in
nicted upon the first born In Egypt.
and the angel passed W. the dwellings
of the children of Israel. The tenth
day of the seventh month was the day
ef atonement. which was followed by
(he feast OF tabernacles. when the peo-
Ne erected booths that brought to
heir minds the camp life OF their
hthers when they pitched Their tents
IN the desert on their march of 40
years through the wilderness. In ac-
dition to these annual festivals there
was. every seventh year. the sabbatical
year. and after seven times seven
came this year of jubilee. when every
shackle of servitude was stricken OF
1nd every bondman set free. These
celebrations were OF great benefit to
&hat people. They brought together
the ~ tribes and bound them together
as a nation. otherwise they might ave
stood aloof and remained separate. II
not hostile. clans. Many a Thankssiv-
ing day has been observed in u coun-
try. yet the occasion for gratitude to-
Gay Is greater than at any period OF
OUR national history. Truly we may
1xclaim with the sacred poet. The
lord hath done great things for us.
whereof we are glad. He hath not
dealt so with any nation
ut In worth something to be a cit
fxen of the richest. most prosperous
and the most promising nation upon
the face of the earth. The 13 colonies
ave developed into ~ states and ter
Stories. The 5000. 900 people with
Which the nation made a start have
Increased to more than 10000. 900 Of
people. We have within our national
confines 5000. goo square miles. or. in
other words. a territory nearly as
large al the whole of Europe. Upon
this land OF ours the heavens have
given OF her treasures. The dew. the
carly and later rains have fallen, the
earth has yielded her Increase: yea.
abundant harvests have been our por-
ton. Nature has given enough 10