The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1900-12-06
Thanksgiving Services.

The union Thanksgiving services were
held Thursday evening in the North church,
and the house was well filled. Rev. G. S.
Mills. pastor of the church, Rev. J. NJ.
Leighton, Unitarian, and Rev. G. E. Edgett,
Methodist, were on the platform. The mu-
sic was by a chorus including the North
church choir, assisted by members of the
other church choirs of the city. The order
of service was as follows:
Organ Voluntary, Mrs. j. W. Jones
Invocation, Rev. G, S, Mills
Anthem, "The two angels Krogmann mann
Chorus, with solos by Mr.. Parker and Mrs.
Frost.
Responsive reading, Psalm 147
Hymn, Thanksgiving" Chorus
Rev. j. NJ. Leighton. S''''' LOO
Anthem, praise the Lord, o my soul,'
Prayer, "p''' Key. Key. J. NJ. eighten ;bten
Hymn, ssThe Lord is my shepherd"
Chorus and congregation.
Sermon, 'Thanksgiving," Rev G. E. Edgett
LYNN, ''We Give Thanks
Chorus and congregation.
Benedicton, Rev. G. f. Edgett
Mr. Edgett's discourse was typical
Thanksgiving sermon, looking on the bright
er side OF affairs, both national and individ-
ual, and showing many causes for thankful
ness. His text was from two chapters,
Psalm 1876: 1 and Psalm 147: 90 SO give
thanks to the Lord; for he is good; for his
mercy endureth forever. He hath not dealt
so with any nation" After brief outline
of the origin of Thanksgiving Mr.. Edgett
referred to and refuted the prevalent idea
that Thanksgiving is dying out, and also
showefby statistics that the religious SEN
timent and the membership in the churches
are growing even more rapidly than is the
population of the country. Some people
dwell on the unpleasant things of life, but
such thoughts bring no enjoyment Thanks
giving is a duty, and yet it should come
spontaneously from the SOUL "What," he
asked, shave we to be thankful for?" and
in answer he said, in substance: First, for
the country we live in. Verify our lines
have fallen in pleasant places. We stand
high among the nations of the earth. The
past year has been directed for us by low
ing Father. He next reviewed the growth
of the United States from the original colo
nies to the present day, and compared our
country with those of the old world, to our
own great advantage in every particular
But we must not depend upon material
prosperity and strength alone. We are in
danger of becoming puffed up in our pride
and lost sight of in the affairs of men. Re-
ligiOn dominated the life of the Pilgrims
and the founders of the Republic. The
history was cited of nations that have begun
with a dependence ON God, and in their
power lost sight of His guidance and fallen.
We must learn lessons from them and see
to it that the religious sentiment is not lost
sight Of The growth of Christianity in
the past few years has been unprecedented
Each year more is being done for missions,
more children are in the Sunday schools,
and there are more benevolent enterprises
But one of the brightest spots is the educa-
tional advantages through schools and libra
ries. We have ample reason to give thanks
tonight for material prosperity, for religious
advancement, for educational facilities, and
for many other blessings which have come
to us both as a nation and as individuals,
and we should see to it that higher attri-
butes are not allowed to Wane