Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-11-24
A NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENT.
DIR. Hamlin's Estimate of America $
Recent Victory in War.

Recent Victory in War.
The services at the Church of the Cow
enant this morning were well attended,
and the sermon by the pastor, Rev. DIR.
Hamln, thoughtful well as com
prehensive review of the causes of common
blessings as a nation, was listened to with
close attention. Appropriate to the season,
as well as to the occasion, the decor atlOns
about the pulpit were a graceful blending
of the national colors and foliage plants
and flowers, with the ripened ears of corn
and the yellow pumpkin and other fruits
Of the earth giving the special touch of
the season to the whole.
DIR. Hamlin said that Thanksgiving Gay
was neither a secular semi-secular
occasion, but it was the recognition by the
nation, i'll response to the devOut proclama-
ton of a Christian President, of causes of
praise to God for blessings enjoyed. 1t Is
a dstinctfvely American festival, not an
individual matter, although individual rec
ognitiOn of Divine goodness should not be
omitted. Looking back, the preacher SAID,
over the roughest portion of last years 5
pathway, still the leading hand of God
could be disc erned. He spoke of the abun-
dart crops and the renewed impulse to ac-
witty in all lines of industry and the conse-
quent thinning out of the ranks of the un-
employed and re added that there was no
country whore comfort in living is more
generally diffused than in this country.
He said that under the circumstances the
late war with Spain might be considered
novel and romantic victory, especially When
the unpreparedness of this country for war
is considered. and the enormous task OF
raising and equipp!ng a great army ana
the campaign conducted under adverse con-
ditions Altogether hs thought the war
might be looked upon as "A notable achieve
ment in spite OF the fact that the foe only
ranks in the third or fourth class as a
nation. while this country stands i'll the
4 hi
$3.50 0O0O 900, no one begrudges a dollar that
was spent in what is regarded as a right
eous war.
The loss of 1000 lives, while a minor note
in the nations SONG of Thanksgiving, seems
of small consequence when compared with
the results achieved.
He said that the victory of Admiral
Dewey last May forced :he nation into new
and untried paths. and taen what is term
ed the policy of expansion was determined,
although. he added, 1t has only been re-
ceG tly officially announced.
Some are of the opinion, he sad that the
starting of the natiCu on tliis pathway is
a cause of national mourning. He how
ever, believed this Co1ntfy still as
peace-lOVfng as ever, that the spirit Of mill
itarism had not infected the people and
that this was still Il government of. for and
by the people. If, lie continued, we can
raise to this high piaEe she peoples of the
Pacific islands it will be worth ali the time
and money required. He said the standard
of political morality in England has been
raised since she entered ipOn the policy of
Colonial expansion.
A narrow minded rational selfishness he
thought will not improve our condition al
home, however much, in the opinion Of
some a change for the better was needed in
some particulars.
DIR. Hamlin spoke of the causes for
thanksgiving in international affairs in that
there was an increase in the friendly feel
ing between this country and Great Britain
progress in the cause of arbitration and the
call OF convention To consider thu dis
armament of the nations, as proposed by
the Gar of Russia.