The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-11-27

the exact day to be observed is left
with the civil authority: but if for any
reason the civil authority should neglect
to fix the day. the Hubric, prescribing
the observance of the first Thursday III
November would in that case be binding
upon all the clergy of our communion III
this country.
Thus, as is evident, we owe the APP
pointmcnt of the day not to the State,
but to the church, and in observing 1t
we are obeying first of all the summons
of the church And hence it is that we
hear from the pulpits of our communion
on this day comparatively few political
harangues and National Qualifications;
but rather and with far more propriety
are our thoughts directed to those con
slant and permanent causes of Thanks
giving to Almighty God for the return of
secd-t time and harvest, for the fruits of
the earth, by which our lives are pre-
served and "all the other blessings of
his Mcrciful Providence"
And as we look back over the year
now fast drawing to close. brethren,
what abundant cause of devout thanks
giving to the Oliver of all good do we
find for the countless blessings OF His
Merciful Providence, in whom 1--WE live
and move and have our being" How
freely" and abundantly of all good
things have we received of our God. as
people rs Christians and as individuals.
We enjoy peace and almost meN-
ampleu prosperity. while other nations
are troubled with internal connections
that threaten their very existence or
are already suffering from the direful
effects of war and rumors of wars. How
Gods good providence has led us and
blessed us rs Nation i'll the last few
months,
How were the hearts of all peace
loving Christian people throughout the
land troubled above measure SIX months
ago when the war with Spain that they
so earnestly deprecated was declared,
and hurried preparations for its lndefin-
lite continuance were heard in every di-
rection, But of what surprisingly short
duration has it been, and with what few
casualties and loss of life has it been at
tended and how marvellous the results Ill
opening up to Christian civilization and
enlightenment millions of priest-ridden
benighted souls for whom Christ died!
Surely the ways of God are past finding
out, and as Il nation we have abundant
cause to say with the Psalmist-"O that
His goodness and declare the wonders
that He docth for the children of men"
Such in small part are our blessings of
peace and prosperity as people to-day,
while there is scarcely a power in Con-
tinental Europe where peace holds her
easy sway and man forgets his brother
man to STAY"
Crowned heads hold their thrones with
very uneasy and very uncertain tenure.
Internal discussions and violent agita-
TONS threatened revolt and uprising of
the governed or conflict irrespective or
actual. with the neighboring powers are
the rule. And the far East presents
very much the same melancholy aspect
| with the addition of gaunt famine in
| some parts us a conspicuous figure in the
| picture
These things. brethren. are SO far from
us and one so often sounding in our ears
as twice told tale. that we do not by
| contrast appreciate as we should our
| blessings as q people.
Then how greatly have we been bless
| ed-how freely and abundantly have
| we received of God in basket and in
| store during this current year! The la
bors of the husbandman-on which our
prosperity depends-have been abundant
| ~ rewarded in the return of most bounti-
| full harvests. so much so that in the
| popular phraseoogy of the day, America
| is fast becoming the granary of the
1 world.
| What marvellous strides in prosperity
and wealth has this country made in the
! last decade! We may well nigh say
| with the Psalmist of old (if only we do
| it in no vainglorious spirit. "the Lord
bath not so death with any nation"
| Then as Christians how freely" have
we received of God! How abundan
and superior are our privileges of wor
| ship! Churches dot the land
Bibles are translated in every Ian
liguage. We have free gospel lat leas
in this sensel and none is so poor that
he may not claim as his own. and in his
| own tongue the word of God Institu-
tions of learning, of Christian benevo-
lence and of charity-not few of them
| literally and permanently endowed are
TO be seen in every direction. even in
inhospitable heather lands, where but
for the influence of the Gospel of Christ
the life of the missionary would be con-
stantly endangered.
ITO the poor the Gospel is preached"
AT no period in the history of the
| church at least i'll this country, was
| there ever such a manifestation of the
| missionary spirit and that in the very
| face of the boosted increase and prog
ress of modern skepticism and infdelity
| What a glorious awakening of this
| blessed spirit of the Master did our late
| General Convention show! How were
| they gathered Bishops and Presbyters
and missionaries from the end of the
world, and with what burning words
| did they testify of the love of Christ in
| heather lands, and how new doors wer
being opened and new fields conquered
to the peaceful power of the Cross!
| But Brethren. we must narrow down
yet more this. but most superficial and
| imperfect review Of the signal blessings
| of Gods Merciful Providence, If we
would in any degree appreciate and dis
charge our consequent duties.
| How freely" have we received of God
as individuals! Count up your personal
blessings-Gf you cam. Your health,
wealth, friends, food, happiness or means
of happiness. Contrast the result with
the sickness, poverty. want, neglect and
misery of many about you.
| All, it is in individual life that the