Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1898-07-11


NATION READ AND ADDRESSES
MADE IN NEARLY ALL THE
CHURCHEs-LARGE UNION SER
VICES AT FOURTH STREET
CHURCH LAST EvENING-AD-
DRESSES MADE BY REV. N. S.
THOMAS AND REV. DIR. D. A. CUM
NINGHAAL
In nearly all the churches yesterday
thanksgiving services were held, to
give thanks to God for the success of
the American arms in the present war.
These services were held in response
to the request of President Mckinley
in his proclamation, asking that on yes
terday all churches of the land unite
in giving thanks to the Supreme Ruler
for the success that He has vouch-
safed to this nation in the present
struggle. Last evening union service
was held at the Fourth Street M. E.
Church.
The church was filled, congregations
of several other churches attending. The
service was very impressive and char
acterized by deep earnestness on the
part of the congregation and the speak
ers. Special music of an appropriate
character was rendered by the choir.
Rev. DR.. J. L. Sooy conducted the SER
vice, and read President McKinley's
proclamation. Brief addresses were
made by Rev. N. S. Thomas, rector Of
St. Matthew'S P. E. Church, and by
Rev. DR.. D. A. Cunningham, pastor of
the First Presbyterian Church. Bath
bly, and eloquenuy expressed the graf
itude that was due to the Supreme
Ruler for the glorious and marvellous
victories that have been won by the
brave soldiers and sailors of our ma
ton in the contest with Spain.
Rev. Mr.. Thomas referred to a ques-
ton that had been propounded and an
swered in a western pulpit on Thanks
giving day: why snould we thank
God?" 1t had been argued, he said
that the progress of events was con-
trolled by an inevitable law of Gods
that was not subject to change by the
teasing of an individual. The question
had been propounded by this class of
believers, could the finite change the
infinite? The speaker said he would
not undertake to decide the question.
but declared that history furnished
many incidents and illustrations of the
interference of God in human affairs
in the interest of right and humanity.
AS to arms, Napoleon had said that God
was always with the heaviest battalion.
This, the speaker alleged, was not true,
as history had proven that God had
shown he could rule with the few as
well as with the many. He recited
several notable instances in history
which demonstrated that God had in
terfered in the affairs of men and ma
tons and had granted special disper-
sations to those who, although on the
weaker side, were battling for the right.
MIR. Thomas stated that our recent
successes depended upon something
more than men and armament. He
did not know why our navy had won
such marvellous victories with such
slight loss of our men and such large
and terrible Losses to the enemy. but
God knew why this was. He did not
know why the Spanish fleet had sail
ed westward out of Santiago harbor,
instead Of eastward. He did not know
why so many of our boys had fallen in
the front of Santiago unless it might
be that we should not become too
proud in our triumphs and forget to
remember that we are dependent upon
a higher source for power. "These
things" he said, 81 do not know, but
God does. But do know that in this
war God has been with us and Gods
blessing is upon U.S."
DR.. Cunningham said that the chief
parsonage in the meeting was the in
visible God, and the audience was
present not simply as pastors and con-
gregation, but because of the fact that
the Lord God had spoken. The one
who is the most interested in and is
carrying on this conflict is the living
Jehovah. DR.. Cunningham said it was
a meeting of prayer, more than speech
making, to lift up our hearts in CRATE
full thanks to Almighty God for his
tender mercies.
"The presiding spirit In Cuba to-
night is the same one that presides
over this meeting" impresively de-
clared the speaker '4The devil has
gone about in that country, through
the instrumentality of a government
for many years putting his foot on and
crushing the life out of the masses OF
the people that few might live in
luxury" Dr. Cunningham stated that