Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1899-11-28
Thanksgiving.
MY DEAR BRETHREN:

| MY DEAR BRETHREN:
In the good providence of God, we
are at the door of another Thanks
giving Day. The turkey and the
cranberry sauce will doubtless occupy
large share of attention. The natural
man will rejoice in his fulness. So let
us turn our thoughts to the spiritual
man, for in the midst of earth's alum
dance, he may Starve to death.
There will, no doubt, be religious
service and many families will send a
delegate, who will pay due attention
10 sermon for the major part of the
family who remain at home to watch
and pray for the advent of the roasted
turkey. L am unable to eliminate
from my mind, that a congregation
chiefly constructed of delegates from
various families more or less religious
ly inclined on that day-is, if anything,
little better than nothing, if true
thanksgiving to God by the whole
people who share his bountiful gifts
are to be taken into consideration.
Possibly we Episcopalians may console
ourselves by the fact that we have
had good, full harvest home service
which is the thanksgiving service pre-
scribed in the prayer-book; and there
fore we are not quite as bad as those
who who wait for the presidents proc
lamation, asking all the religious
bodies to meet in their respective
places of worship, and there give
thanks to God for all the blessings of
his merciful providence, voucheSafed,
and enjoyed in the prolific year past,
and only a fraction of about one
per cent. go to church on that day at
all. AS church in Cresco, we pay no
attention to the presidents proclama-
tion, because we have truly, and with
glad hearts, gave thanks-but we will
not boast, for like our brethren in
other religious bodies we have no re-
ligion to spare. Our Thanksgiving
service as found in the prayer-book is
not only impressive but instructive as
we'll, and of some standing as to age.
This service, formed in 1889, and but
Slightly varied in 1892, is mainly of
the nature OF a harvest thanksgiving,
although it refers also to all the other
blessings of Gods merciful Providence.
The time for its use is fixed in the late
autumn, with power of variation
under authority, probably with a view
| to suit the circumstances of each To-
cality. This leading idea is exempliied
in the special opening sentences, as
you viii see from single quotations:
''Honor the Lord with thy substance,
and with the first fruits of all thine
increase: so shall thy barns be filled
with plenty, and thy presses shall
burst out with new wine"
This has clear reference to the bless
ing OF harvest or vintage; urging the
duty of thank Offering.
ItseemS to me that in this matter
of thanksgiving, our religion needs to
be converted. True christian principle
should impel the people very general
ly to go to their respective places of
worship and their inner heart.
Thanksgiving to God for the year S
blessing. And the congregations
should be larger, if anything, than on
the Sunday.
1t would seem, however, that we
christian people have been privileged
to choose one of two things on Thanks
giving Day-the Thanksgiving service,
or the Thanksgiving turkey, and the
turkey has won the greater number,
hence the mournful necessity of a
congregation OF delegates, who find
ample room in a single place of
worship.
Cordially your pastor with prayers
for deepening of the things which
are truly spiritual in the lives of all
christian people.
REV. A. V. GORRELL