The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-11-25
GREEN RIDGE SERVICES.
Were Held in the Presbyterian
Church at 1890 a. m.

A union service was conducted in the
Green Ridge Presbyterian church at
10 50 o'clock a. m. one of the features
was the lifting of n Thanks giving Of
ferine for two of the cityS most de-
serving charities, the Home for the
Friendless and the Rescue Mission.
The congregation filled the spacious
church to overlooking, the music, spe-
cially arranged for the occasion, was
of an elaborate character and the SER
vice throughout was deeply devout and
hearty. The reading of the presidents
THANKSGIVING proclamation and prayer
by Rev. \. f. Chaffee, of the Asbury
Methodist Episcopal church, were
among the exercises.
The sermon was by Rev. w. j. Ford,
of the Mons"y Avenue Baptist church.
lie said in part:
When | learned, one week ago, that |
was expected to Contribute this part to
our union service | began to ask what
shall the message be? What message is
most rcodful at this time? Shall it be one
of qualification of past rational achieve
mentS and prediction Of future greatness?
Is that needed, when for months past
our pulpitS have echoed with thunderS Of
war? Our sermons have brimCd over With
patriotism. There are members of our
congregations who can tell more of the
sayings aud doings OF Roosevelt, HobsOm.
Dewey, Sampson and Schey and the otn-
cr heroes of the late war than they can
of the sayings of Peter, and Paul, and
John, and even the Cm list himself.
Now that this young giant of me ma
tiOns is coming into a consciousness Cf
his struggle and flushed with victories is
stretching forth his arms and cnclrcles
the globe, ! say that there is need that
some one should whisper the words of
our brave naval captain, spoken to his
brave crew as the fleet of Ccrvera was
sinking: Don't cheer, men, the poor fell
lows are dying" 1t was this spirit which
caused Grant to return to Lee his ill
rendered sword.
NO TIME FOR ROASTING.
No this is no time for boasting. but we
should rather, humbled by the new re-
sponsibilities that have been thrust upon
us, take our place among the great ma
tionS of the world with becoming modcsty
| and quiet strength.
But there is still less need for Il pes
simistic message which shah single out
| all the perilS that may I've thought to
| threaten our nation and magnify the diff
| tCulties by which we are confronted, 1t
| would be strange way to return thanks
| for blessings received, and we would he
unworthy the name of American citizens
| II We !cct an ear to these prophets OF
| doom ana refused to believe In the flu
| tUrC of this nation, ana that AS in the
| past, so now in the present, and on into
the distant future God will ever lead a
willing nation that II" has chosen.
| While i'm doubt as to the character of tho
| message there came to mind subject
| uttered by man of God, honorcd by ev-
| cry citizen Of Scranton regardless of creed
| ur dcnOmnational affiliations. He said:
| "When ! entered tn" ministry a boy my
| father laid his hand on my shoulder one
| day and said: Samuel my boy, there
| will como times Whcr you will not know
what to preach about you will ransack
your brain and the hooks in your library
| and still find 10 relief, Take my advise,
| 20 hcfor" your neOp1e and talk to them
on the subject of religion"
| | offer no excuse for following the adj
| vice of that old PRESBYTERIAN elder. and
coming before you this THANKSGIVING Day
to talk upon the subject of religion.
CALLED FOR SOLDIERS.
Our country mas called for soldiers and
| they have never been wanting. Today lie
| calls for true, earnest, devout, pure men.
And again the truest patriots will re-
| spOnd. That man is as much a traitor tO
his country i'm times of peace who will
not respond to her cali for the life that
| will most COnduce to her honor as he
| who, in times of war, refuses TO die in
his Country's defence. Mr.. Bryce tells ot
a conversation with a Swiss peasant about
| the functions of the popular assembly
| which regulates the affairs of the Can
ton, during which he asked If it were
not time that all citizens had the right
nf attending and voting I'm the assembly
| IT is not so much their right" replied