The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1904-12-09

To THE PASTOR, OFFICIALS AND MEM
BRRs OF THE CoNcREcATIoN OF
WEST NOTTINGHAM PRESBYTERIAN
CHURCH:
An eventful year has gone, an eventful
year in matters pertaining to. Nations
pertaining to State-pertaining to church
and in this connection, it may be said
an eventful year in matters pertaining to
this church.
Our annual reunions as a church occur
upon this special day of the year. Which
our great Nation in accordance with a
beautiful custom has instituted and dedi-
Gated as Thanksgiving Day" the indica-
ton of the best civilization and in keeping
with the best thoughts of a God worship
ing people.
How eminently proper that the people
of our great Nation should once year
come to s'standstill"-in the mad rush
ofthe business world-in the reckless race
for wealth and fame, SO as to seize an
opportunity to look about them-to con-
slider their enviroment-refiect upon their
acknowledgement to realize in measure
Ia small measure-the great blessings
we enjoy and what great need we have
to be thankful.
Truly the abundant mercies and un-
bounded goodness of the God of our
Fathers" and our God-are manifest on
every hand-are overlooking on every
side. The labors of the husbandman
have been richly rewarded in grains and
in fruits--in field and orchard-which
have been successfully gathered in. Good
markets await the we'll filled granaries-
labor finds remunerative demand for the
ever essential part she contributes to the
worlds acknowledgements is moving
along at rapid pace concurrent with
trade and manufactures, and good cheer
pervades the hearts and animates the
spirits of our people as whole.
Peace" without which all our joys
and all our comforts lose their sweetness,
prevails over our beloved country and
rules supreme. Our Army and our Navy
are without ORDERS" in striking con-
trast to conditions on these lines in the far
East where an awful, terrible war is leav-
ing trail of death and devastation across
all Manchuria, while our wonderful peo-
pie here at home forge ahead in the great
task Of supplying the worlds markets
with products from our soil. from our
machinery-the fruits of seed time and
harvest, the fruits of the most ingenious
mechanical inventions. repeat then
when such plentitude of reasons exist.
when such fruition of glorious results
surrounds US for praise and thanksgiving,
we should come together once year,
and especially this year. on this Thanks
giving day, with pride in the heritage
of our religious liberty and as part OF
the religion of every true American and
make an accounting and should render
thanks in accordance with the good
things Divine Providence has bestowed
upon us.
In keeping with the custom of our
church we now render an account of our
Stewardship as your Trustees.
Thirteen years have l been President Of
your Board of Trustees. of the. Board
was first associated with in 1892 none are
now upon the present Board. -Four have
passed down Into the valley beyond
the shadows of the eternal gates. Two
have removed to other sections, gone
beyond the jurisdiction of this church.
Such is the trend of human events, such
is life.
The Board held the four regular meet.
ings during the year. and one special
meeting was called, at all of which g
large percentage of the members were
present.
! 1.-THE several committees of the Board
i.have carefully looked; after their sew.
sefal departments and if the congre-
CATION will critically examine the respec
stive work of each feel sure they will be
quite satisfied. Cooperation and har.
; mony have prevailed at all times through
out the year as in former years, in the
work of the Board.
f. The Church buildings and surrounding.
have been cared for. while the fences ant
: buildings at the Manse are in goot
! condition.
1t can be said at this date that with The
roof Of the Church at last rain-proof, the
!. frescoing repaired, the improvement
!, that have been made at the Manse ant
i. are now under way. all constitute a con
dition of physical completeness in you
: possessions that excels any previous
period it has been my privilege to report
. It is always with much qualification
that refer to the condition of your Gem
etery-that Getty of the dead" The
flowers that bloom therein, the clean ant