Omaha daily bee., 1898-11-25

sin and wtckedness. but in conclusion took
a hopeful view, as follws:
I'VE have reason, however, to thank God
today that, though wickedness is in the
land, yet Gods people are increasing, the
chief executive Of the nation and his official
advisers are God-fearing men. The same
is true nearly OF all the governors Of the
states and, thanks be to God, 1t is true or
many Of the commanders in the army and
the navy, and to this fact can largely be
attributed our magnificent victories In the
late war. But while we hopefully look for
ward for an advance In all that is good,
holy and righteous, let us with one voice,
one heart, with the unity of the spirit,
praise God for what he has done for us in
the last year"
Evening Service.
A Thanksgiving service was held at the
Fifth Avenue Methodist church last even
ing which attracted a very fair sized con-
gregation. The pastor, Rev. G. p. Fry, took
as the subject Of his sermon THE Per-
petuity Of Our Republic" He said in part:
"a distinguished divine of this country
in 1s4s gave a very graphic portrayal of the
obstacles We should meet but overcome and
the vastness Of the empire that should Of
necessity be thrust upon us. Also an article
In the Edinburgh Review In 1853, taking up
Tie QucStlOu u eHlBIdllOu " HIS Couutl y,
gave utterance as to the consequences to
this government. Both men, speaking upon
different phases OF the future, seem to have
so thoroughly grasped the situation and the
outcome that were these articles read to an
intelligent audience today without giving
their date they would read like history.
Turning then to the word Of God and get
ting a glimpse OF Gods idea concerning the
world and the relation this nation s~ustains
to 1t, we can but believe the men to whom
we have referred had divine illumination in
the utterances Of fifty years ago, one an
American, the other an Englishman.'"
Here Mr.. Fry referred to some Of the ar
guments against the perpetuation OF this
republic, because all Others have failed, and
he cited the fact that there have been revo-
lutions in all states and empires and that
there will be such as the world has never
seen. Then passing on, he briefly noted
some of the peculiar advantages obtained
In this country, such as the public schools,
the fact that one-fourth OF the entire popu-
lation Is enrolled in the schools, the door
open to the poorest as well as the rich to
preferment in public office, freedom OF the
ballot, equality before the Jaw, which were
blessings enjoyed in America In a degree
never known in any other country. He also
| cited some Of the dangers to this country,
| yet he declared with emphasis that the base
of modern liberty is growing wider and
| wider, stronger and stronger, and the world
was being brought nearer together.
He saw among the element OF prominence
| In modern civilization the power OF the
| press In it's widest freedom. Error, he said,
| might here and there be flung broadcast by
| the press, but the tide is soon checked, the
,rrop n turned tho error oYn1Oded and
the people made the stronger and truer.
| The work of the press lives while much else
| fades and perishes and that which lives
| must be worthy. Another mighty factor,
or element, of perpetuity, he said, was
| found in mans elf-consciousness that he
| Ia a child Of liberty and that he Is capable
| of self-government and OF perpetuating the
| best principles and forms of government.
Continuing, he said:
'Theologians tell us Of a moral sense, so
| likewise there is a political sense, and IN
| this country we have discovered the fact,
which has largely to do with developing the
| government and institutions that we are
| today so Justly proud Of. The two greatest
| days the earth has ever known were the
day Of the incarnation OF the
| Son of God and the day when this
representative republic was born. AS in
; original creation the earth was without
form and void, so the various stages OF both
/ redemption and a representative government
, have been passed. God has been preparing
! this nation in it's peculiar Isolation with It's
peculiar institutions to unshackle those that
are bound and break through the darkness
| Of centuries deep in the old world and let
| in the light of day in its meridian splendor'
The Cubans and Porto Ricans will not only
- HA o;.,;It,ott0p 1ifn and hone
have come to them such as they never before
! dreamed of. The gathering In OF the Phil
| ippines means as much for them, but it also
! means a revolution in civilization in the
| Orient as well, which God is now flashing
upon the world through this country, SO
late in its development. Never was there
/ a greater cause for Thanksgiving thar now
Day Universally Observed.
THANKSGIVING was universally observed IN
| Council Bluffs and places Of business, public
offices, railroad freight Offices and stores
| generally were closed, II not for the entire
| day, at least during the afternoon anu
evening. The public schools were CLOSED
| and the children helped their seniors cele-
brate the day OF rejoicing. For the religl-
| ously inclined there was the Union service
| at the Broadway church in the morning
and services in the evening at several OF the
! other churches. For those in search OF
| other diversions there was the foot ball game
in the afternoon at the Driving park and
several thousand were on hand to watch
the brawny sons OF Nebraska and Iowa
struggle up and down the gridiron over tine
pigskin. In the evening the attraction
''Flannegan's Flats" drew a large house al
the Dohany. The Baptist people enter
tanned with a sociable at their church on
First avenue and the Modern Woodmen OF
America wound up the day with a dance
in their hall in the Merriam block.
Amidst the general thanksgiving the poor
and needy were not lost sight OF ana the
collection taken at the Union service at
broadway church was for their beneht'
over fifty poor children, boys and girls
were treated to a substantial dinner In the
afternoon at the Christian tabernacle and
made happy with presents OF candy ana
other good things calculated to tickle the
Youthful palate. In addition to feedine
these children, the members OF the Chris
tan church provided dinners for some hfty
moor families, the dinners being delivered al
their homes. ~,
Manager Lemen saw to 1t that the 22t
] children at the Christian home should have
a Thanksgiving dinner that was worthy oil
the occasion and the little folk made away
with several big turkeys, not to mention
mince pies, cranberry sauce and a lot OF
other etceteras.
The patients and nurses at the Woman's