The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1905-12-02
THANKSGIVING SERVICES
Large Congregations al ST. Georges
and the Methodist Churches.
Rev. n. n. Barber breaches at the fO'mer--2tT
R. A. Williams al the Later.

Large congregations filed the Mcihn-
dist and st. Georges Episcopal churches
Thanksgiving morning at u clock
where union services were held. The
first Of Methodist, Baptist aud Preshl
terians. and the latter oi Trinity aud 81.
Georges congregations. There was also
a union of chOirs in each. the music being
especially good.
At st. Georges. the services were con-
ductcd by Rev. Il j. McBryde. tine rector.
and the sermon was preached by Rev. IT,.
IL. Barber OF Trinity church.
MR.. nARnER's SERMON.
Mr.. Barber took Tor his text Thessa-
lonians Wis. "lncverything gi,rtlmnks,
for this is the will OF God in Christ Jesus
concerning Won The following is a
brief synopsis OF the excellent sermon:
one subject for thanksgiving ON this
day AZ it comes round in the cour-e e.,
the year is that on one day in the year
our l.. s., at the command OF lts chlei
executive officer, acknowledges lis belief
in a Coda God of mercy and love, to
whom it IL right and Just that we give
thanks.
We want To thank Him for times Of
peace and general prosperity. No great
scourge oi trouble has beiallcnUurcOun-
| try. 1t il true that pessinlsts look with
| Indignation and horror upon the nyela-
ton oi graft and dishonesty that has
been brought To light, but these very
revelations are signs OF reformation.
| The disclosure of evil is always good
| sign, while the cOnceulment * ever most
/ dangerous.
But We come together especially To
| thank God Tor the harvest OF grain and
/ fruit which has Just been gathered. We
/ thank Him for the fulfil lment OF the
covenant that seed time and harvest
summer and winter. cold and heat. day
and night, should not TAIL II this
promise were To fail we should starye.
| Tor though we may be- able 10 lay mp
treasure and money ior the future. We
cannot lay up food for single year, and
we should die let us then cultivate the
spirit OF thanksgiving ~ We would cult
yatc any other virtue.
At the Methodist church, Rev. j. IL.
| Light and Rev. DR.. j. W RoScbro con
/ Quoted the general service. Rev DR..
/ John K. RosehrO read the scripture So
lection aud offered prayer Rev K. 4.
Williams. pastor of the Baptist church,
/ delivered the sermon.
SERMON BY MIR. WILLIAMS
Mr. Williams took for his text p. 10.
| 10. Is. u. The sermon wasan able one
OF which the following is synopsis
This entire Psalm IL n tribute Ia the
| God OF all the earth. a recognition oi his
glory. Its music sends forth the notes OF
universal praise; it sings ofhis greatness,
| il recOunts his goodness. II tells OF the
majesty and dignity of his kingdom and
swells into a paean of praise and "a halle
/ luiah of Joy as 10 cOntemplates the uli-
versatility of his beneticence.
The text suggests three things.
First. Human EXpectancy-"The eyes
OF all wait upon the. Pc The world II not
/ SO far apart as We might think, though
we may be- separated 10y the houndlrs~
and hridgeleSs ocean. The marvellous
achievement Of this day has converted
| the universe into vast whispering gal
/ lery. till a voice sounded from our shore
| is heard around the world.
There is one thing that has forever
/ brought the universe together-one spot
upon which the savage in his native
| heath, the Indian in hi~ jungle ana tie
| white man i'm his home may stand to-
gpther II is not in what they have, but
/ what they need.
An imperous common want summons
| the world together In that they stand
bound 10y its gaunt girdle common
cry goes up to the mighty God. Our
| Father. give NJ this day our daily bread. ,
The wide. wide world is one 10 it need.
Though we can build empires and al
most direct destiny. yet in the presence
of the mysterious vitality OF a single
grain OF wheat We are dunbar helpless
/ We are one in our need. "The eyes of
all wait upon thee.
The text reminds ~ in the second place
OF divine suiicency and provision.
Ii il one thing to have "A need, 1t r.
quite another 10 have that need met
| God is sufficient for orr need. Back oil
the present output are the infinite sup
plies OF his power. lie not only has. but
he will give. He giyeth them their meat
in due season. Thou Openest thine hand
and satisfeth the desire OF every living
thing" How glorious his provision,
how marvellous his goodness In the
presence OF it how can we help joining
hands and hearts with the celestial
singer OF the past and say: My mouth
shall speak the praise OF the Lord, and
let all flesh bless his name iOnver and
ever.
Material progress has made marvellous
and matchess strides. In every depart
ment of human endeavOr there have been
wonderful steps forward. Every day
the world grows better, not perhaps in
every eddy but in the main current. The
sense Of Justice has advanced; the inlus-
tice OF the past is rapidly passing away,
and more and more are men trying To III
carnate the divine principle OF the Golden
Rule.
Side by side with this the sense ofkind-
ness has kept apace Never before was
the human heart so accessible nor men
respond so quickly to the appeal OF the
unfortunate.
In all these things our land makes
mighty contribution, and from the lips
Of all our people should rise the glad
anthem. Glory be unto God-blessed be
his glorious name forever.
The collections Were large and for the
benefit Of the Mary Washington Hospital
and City Mission jointly.