Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1899-11-29
l THANKSGIVING SERMON.
Rev. Walter SkipwOrth'S ELOQUENT
Address, Delivered at the M. E.
Church Last Sunday.

The lines gre fallen unto In pleasant places:
yea have goodly heritage, Psalm loo.
This language refers to the division of
the promised land among the Israelites
But we may itly apply its sentiments to
ourselves as people. Then it at once
becomes very appropriate text to be
used in this national Thanksgiving ser.
vice. Surely the American citizen will
say, The lines are fallen unto ME in
pleasant places; yea, have goodly
heritage" This is strictly true as
regards his country and its advantages
The United States of America is included
III that zone which is best adapted to the
progress and happiness of Mankind--the
intermediate or temperate. Its climate
! fruitful. It's mountain chains or systems
are filled with coal and metals, while the
extent of its rivers is unequaled. We
snrpass every other country in the world
in mineral and agricultural resources.
BY the gifts of the divine hand our land
is rich portion of the globe. And in
due time after its discovery we are not
surprised to find the true and the
brave landing upon its shores with a
view to making permanent home for
themselves and children. The pilgrim
fathers were earnest, sober minded men,
I actuated i'll all things by deep religious
principle, and even thoroughly loyal to
, their convictions of right. They main
tanned themselves on this new soil
amid hardships the most trying, and IN
! the face of dangers the most imminent,
and soon became free and independent
people. The development of the country
has gone on. Its agricultural sections
cultivated; its mining districts have been
worked, the timber in its forests has been
utilized; townships have been laid out;
have grown to towns; towns have become
cities; schools have come into existence;
churches have been established, and a
government, the wisdom and justice Of
which stand as an enduring monument
to its people, has been organized; and so
today we are the inhabitants and
possessors of a country which challenges
the wonder apd which is the pride of the
whole civilized world. Again, the United
States is in advance of other countries in
the extent of its canals and railroads in the
| ,T &c. ;,, tnir ii
political freedom, i'll its support of public
instruction and in influence of the press.
Thank God for this land! its natural
blessings, its privileges, and its institu-
tons But does not this "goodly heritage
Impose upon us certain duties Most
assuredly it does. Without proper ap-
probation of what we have, and due at
{ tention to those elements of stability and
4 power which have given to us our glory
we cannot even hope long to posse IS oui
< inheritance.
While we devoutly thank God then
z for the prosperity that has attended us a
= a nation during the past year and the i'll
q from his merciful hand, let us pause an'
! consider some of the duties inCumben
& upon us, that in the years to come thi
goodly heritage may remain untouched
& priceless legacy bequeathed to on
posterity.-It is the duty of the American
citizen to maintain and perpetuate tn
, civil aud religious liberties f his country
- These have been bestowed upon him a
n a precious gift bought with preciou
price, and to the true man it is matte
II of great concern that the institution
which have so strengthened and exalte
lhis nation be preserved and handed dow
II unimparied 70 the lates. generation!
II Therefore let the American citizen NJ
III hold the laws Of this country. The PEE
ple that wonld live together as sociei
or as a nation must have some rule
action to guide and control them Til
rule of action we call law. but there ca
be no law without government, for la
is laid down by a supreme powe
Where there is no supreme power la
cannot exist. In this country Il
objects of civil government a
secured to us by written epnstitutio
founded upon the will or consent OF t
people. This constitution is proper
termed the fundamental law, being t
foundation of all other laws. Adoptil
said constitution and uniting oursel'
under its regulations, we have govei
ment, and hence are prepared to enf
and enforce statutes. A glance at
condition Of our country just previous
it's adoption will make impressive I
Ildeuand for such a written agreeme
Iamonp the people and the great impo
,,ca of obedience to, and becomi
reverence for it, and our present la
which are founded there-upon.
thirteen colonies which have so heroica
achieved their independence are lik
none to become Indifferent or hostile
o,e-another, and the minds OF patri
are flIed with alarm lest all that
heen gained should be lost. Al this II
when the outlook for peace and prosl
tic Was so unfavorable, number
thoughtful men of the country met
pether daily TOR months, and frames
constitution and produced system
- ,overument which has been the won
,end Of the world from the time of its ad