Evening star., 1900-11-29
PEOPLE GIVE THANKS
General Observance in Washington of
National Custom.
SERVICES HELD At THE CHURCHES
Free Dinners Dispensed at Various
Local institutions.
REMEMBERING THE POOR

Marking the close of the first full century
of national life, which has been fraught
| with overwhelming evidences of mercy and
happiness to the people who are chosen
| to be the eXemplars of enlightenment and
progress to the other peoples of the world,
Thanksgiving day, 1900, is momentous in
| its significance. 1t is being observed in
full recognition of this In former times
essentially a product of the God fearing
| Puritans of New England, who selected the
| fourth Thursday in November for day Of
| thanks, just they did the fourth Thurs
! day in April day of fasting, the festi-
val has become national, so far as the
northern and western sections of the I'm
ion concerned, and times attrition
| when it smoothes away the rapidly dis
appearing prejudices of the remainder of
the country will unquestonably find it as
generally observed as Independence day
| and Christmas.
1t was Abraham Lincoln, liberator eman-
cipator and martyr, who first made the
fourth Thursday of November national in
| the sense it is now recognized by issuing
! his memorable proclamation. Since then
every President has followed this admir-
able example, and in every town and city,
| village and hamlet. where true American
ism exists. the celebration of the day is
| conducted patriotically, religiously and hap
PLY.
Washington. the nations capital. OBJ
served the great occasion today with char
acteristc unanimity. All churches held
! services in harmony with it,
| The early masses in Catholic churches
were attended by notably large congrega-
| Ions, although no unusual ceremonies were
| held, but the denominational congregations
| gave specific recognition of the festival.
| The capacities of the edifices were tested
| by the attendance, and those who not
| identified with creed or sect were scarcely
| less animated in their observance. But in
! all hearts, save those, perhaps, which
| throbbed in agony over fresh Affections,
| there was happiness and JOY and praise
and thankfulness.
The sermons preached were for the most
part as replete with patriotic as with re-
ligious injunctions, and the musical accom-
paniment of services everywhere in
joyous accompaniment to the spirit of the
celebration.
Congregations Combine.
| In several instances several congrega-
| tons combined to celebrate the day, and
notable occasion of this character was at
Calvary Baptist Church. where union SER
vices were participated in by all the
churches in the Columbia Association.
These comprised the Anacosta, Calvary,
E Street, East Washington Heights. Fifth.
First Grace. Hyattsville, Maryland Ave
nue., Metropolitan, Mount Tabor, Queer s.
town, Second and West Washington.
Upon the platform were the pastors of
the respective churches, who were, In the
order named, Revs. E. w. Bliss s. H.
Greene, with his assistants, T. Outwater
and A F. Anderson: ]. j. Muir, James w.
Many, C. c. Meador E. r. Pollard, James
I. Jesse j. w. Rawles, N c. Naylor, g. S.
Williams G. w. Mccullough, c. H. Braden,
E. HeZ Sven and G. Z. Truett
The pastor of Calvary Church, Rev Dr.
Greene, presided and Rev. DIR. G. S. Will
iams preached the sermon on Inc
Brotherhood of MAN. In real close com
den Rule said Mr.. Williams, would be
found the solution of all the perpleXing
problems of masses against classes ana
other human equations which now provoke
and puzzle At the close Of his remarks,
he called attention to the necessities of the
Baptist Home of the District of Columbia
He referred to the report OF Mr. j }. OAR
lington. president of the board OF trustees,
describing the embarrassments from which
the institution suffered. The diminished
financial support supplied by the churches
was one. and the second was the made
quate dormitory capacity.
Mr.. Williams called attention to that
portion of the report, which stated that
three years ago Mrs Louise Beauchamp
Hughes, a member of the Catholic church,
but lady of broad and unsectarian Char
ity had placed 1000 in the hands of the
president in trust to be applied to the erec-
ton of a dormitory provided the Baptists
for the purpose.
The sum of $500 would be needed, said
Mr.. Williams. and of this $4,000 had been
already pledged. He called upon the
churches to provide the additional $1,5OO
needed. Mr.. Williams call for pledges
from the various churches was promptly
follows: Anacostia. $50; Calvary. $500;
Street $3.50; East Washington Heights.
SIS; Fifth, $50; First, $3.50; Grace, S75:
Hyattsville. s1O Maryland Avenue. $50:
Tobo
Washington, $50; Kendall Chapel, $50.
No pledges were received from the Sec
ond or the Metropolitan, as these churches
had not yet taken action in the premises.
but they promised to do sufficiently to
make the required amount, $1,000. obtain
able.
Services Mt Other Churches.
The services at the Eastern Presbyterian
Church were also union in their character,
the Metropolitan Presbyterian combining in
the celebration. The interior was effective
ly decorated with autumn fruits and foliage
and vegetables. and the Rev. T. De Witt
Talmage, D. D., preached characteristic
sermon.
At the Gunton Temple Memorial Church
union services were held by the St. Paurs
and Central M. E. churches, the sermon
being preached by Rev. Stowell Bryant Of
St Pauls on Money and Life" Rev: Drs.
Kirk of the Central and Fiske of GuntOn
Temple also participated.
Union services of the Gurley Memorial,
lexington Presbyterian and United Breth-
rem churches were held at the first named,
the sermon being preached by Rev. J. b.
Chamberlain.
The congregations of McKendree and
Foundry churches attended services at the
latter edifice, where Rev. Dr. H. r. Naylor
preached the sermon. A love feast will be
held at Foundry at 7:3O O'Clock tonight.
Trinity and Waugh M. E. churches
united in celebrating the day with the con-
of al
where addresses were delivered by Revs
e d. Huntley. G. E. Maydwen and A. H.
Thompson.
There were special services at Epiphany
Church. with sermon by Rev. R. H. Nc
Kim, d d., preceded at o'clock by hoiy
commui ion. and at the Church of the Cove
nant impressive services were conducted by
Rev. Teunis s. Hamlin, who delivered
striking sermon.
Holy eucharist was partaken of by the
members of Grace Church at T:50 a m. and
at IL o'clock service Rev. Charles f. Son
tag preached
The hy,and NJ E. Marvin M E. Sixth