Daily inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1881-1901, 1899-12-01

of the Swedish Baptist church pro-
nounced benediction. A powerful SER
mole pastor of the NJ. E. church, who said
in part as follows, taking his text from
Nehemiah VIII 10:
Many indeed. have been the changes
since Governor Bradford issued the first
proclamation for the people to assemble
and render thanksgiving to Almighty
Zoe for the signal blessings bestowed
Upon them, during the first years resi-
dence on New England's inhospl-
able coast. At that time, there
We're but fifty-ive persons all told, left
out of the company of a hundred souls
in the May1ower. F%orty-six had died
during those terrible ten months, and
yet these stern Puritans found 1T in their
hearts to rejoice in Gods goodness
themselves, and invite the friendly
Massasoits to partake of their hos
voted to the religious and social festi-
vities. Now, a single day. In those first
days each settlement or colony deter
mined it's own time for Thanksgiving.
Now the president of the United States
issues his proclamation for all the
states, territories, and people of Ameri-
can citizenship the world over, not that
fifty-Sve souls shall cease their labor
and give thanks to God. but that eighty
five million on and and sea, in this con-
inent and the isles far away may ac-
knowledge the favors Of heaven.
The spirit that perpetuates the day is
the same as in the beginning, the out
ward observance may be very different.
Now, as then, the people gather in their
places of worship with songs of Thanks
giving and praise. Now, as then we
family around the home fireside and
about the we'll laden table of heavens
bounties. and rejoice in innocent mlrtn
and jollity. Thanksgiving day is a feast
day very properly-not a fast. But 1t
ought never to become a day OF dlsslpa-
ton. We ought never to lose sight of
the real significance of the 'iay. All
merriment on this occasion should have
God in it. God in the church, Goo at the
tireside. God in the places of amusement:
We are gathered in this temple of
worship, therefore, today to express in
some feeble way our gratitude to the
Father Of all mercies for the countless
gifts which have fallen from His hands
during the twelve months now gone.
We know that our Heavenly Father IS
greatly pleased with such expressions
the very epirit which prompts US makes
possible a more blessed future. We are
SO much more given to remembering our
misfort1nes than u mercles. II We
should nav had an unfruitful year; II
! some plague had devastated our cities:
VI tilC ASSt "AA>A1 1890
merged Japan and Porto Rico. had laid
waste a portion Of our beautiful land,
the air would be filled with lamentation
But since Providence has given US a year
of marvellous material prosperity; since
the fields have yielded plentifully, thu
focks increased upon a thousand hills.
the wheels Of shop and factory been
Whirling nisfht and day turning the raw
products Of nature into conyeniences for
man, until all the nations of the world
have looked at u rapidly expanding
wealth and commerce With admiration
n envy, it is surely meet that We
should quickly seize the opportunity Of
acknowledging these wondrous gifts Of
God.
We are also thankful today for the
blessing that has attended our arms in
dealing with foreign foe. We have seen
the treaty of peace c~onsummated with
Spain. We have seen her ty~rannical
grasp loosen on the western hemisphere.
and ten millions of neople, in the seas of
the Occident and the seas OF the Orient
emerge from the awful had which 400
years of cruelty and oppression had cast
them. We have witnessed the glad
of our brave boys from the
Philippines, where amid perils Of fever,
and tropical sun and rebel bullets they
carried the old flag over the ramparts of
the enemy, and covered themselves with
immortal glory.
But While we are thus gratified for ma
tlOnal blessings, a we not also equal
~ rejoice in what hath been wrought in
our family circles? Can we say: Thanks
be INTO God for all His benefits to me-"
Ha not the Father been good to us in
giving US health and strength and o
n raiment and shelter? Even though
poverty may have stared US in the face;
even though sorrow dark and grim may
have entered our door; ever though cer-
tain cherished plans have not matlrad,
yet can we not say this morning God
has been very good?'
Oh, that we might praise HIM Oh,
that we might recognize all His benefits.
But while we "eat the fat and drink
the sweet" let US not forget ito send
portions unto them for whom nothing is
prepa 81" Freely we have received,
freely let rs give, and thus shall the God
and Father of us all grant unto us an
other year more blessed than the one
that is past.
AT st. Marks Episcopal church st
Andrews and Thanksgiving day was OBJ
served by holy communion at 1890 a,
M, and Thanksgiving service With SER
mon at II a. m. Rev. Alfred Brown
preached a splendid sermon, which was
resplendent with beautifully drawn pie
lures of American homes on this occa'
sion. The music was of a high order ant
| was i~nterspersed with several swee'
anthems. Mrs. Frank c. Norbeck hat
charge of the music.
There was low mass at both Catholic
churches at 9 O'Clock and a good attend
arce at each.