The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1906-12-01
THANKSGIVING
'""""'' SERVICES
Held at Methodist and Trinity
Churches.
Sermons BY Rev. Or. McBNde and Rev M
Lynch.

The congregations of st Georges anc
/ Trinity churches united in Thanksgiving
services at Trinity church at IL "A. m
Thursday.
/ The sermon was preached 10y Rev. DR.
X j. McBryde, rector OF ST. George T.
who took for his text, Psalm % ,, Let
us come before His presence with thanks
giving" DR.. McBryde said in part,
/ This is the one solitary religious day Ol
the nation. Our church would observe
"A day OF thanksgiving, even If the prcsl-
dent of the United States did not request
1t. IL is well, however. that the charge
that God is not recognized by our gov
eminent is at least on this day answered
and reiuted.
The old Puritan day has given place To
gladness. and the family gatherings, the
national proclamation, the religious
services all over the land are healthy
signs OF our being religious people To-
dny We are not agnostics Oreven theists.
but Christians in our recognition ana
praise of God our Father IN heaven.
There are many things calling Tor
Thanksgiving, such ~ peace at home ana
abroad Industrial striies have ceased.
4 spirit of consideration has gotten pos
session of labor lerders aud employers oi
labor
I'm considering economic issues, in ad-
dition 10 social conditions. We find that
the atmosphere OF suspicion that has
hung over us so long il giving WAY To a
spirit OF Justice. moderation and open
mindedness Public carriers have their
rights recognized aud the people have
their demands heard with attention aud
consideration
The amazing prosperity oi the country
has "a promise OF long continuance, 80
varied aud vast are our resources.
In the church there Is liberation oi
opinion such ~ has never been before
telling that better day If coming To
our much divided household OF the faith.
There j. also mighty spirit of mission
airy zeal and liberality everyw here
As individuals our thanks 20 upward
for the WAY of Gods leading and for
personal salvation through Jesus Christ.
Thanksgiving should not exhaust IL
self in day. but be- continuous
At TIM METHODIST CHURCH.
Rev Mr.. Lynch. OF Occoquan. who Is ~
ssting Rev. j H. Light IN the Metho-
dith revival, preached the Thanksgiving
sermon before the united congregations
Of the Baptist. Presbyterian and Mttho-
dist churches at the Methodist church
at II a. III. The text was from Colos-
slams. 3: u, BE le Thankful Mr
Lynch emphasized the fact that thank
fullness j. not only divine command,
but II natural duty. The duties Of
Thanksgiving. he said, ought to be the
practice Of our lives. taught 10 our
children. and be- made properly
an occasion Of national demonstration.
Thanksgiving ought 10 be- joy and
never burden 10 W. Thanksgiving
rests on the great gifts Of God To- Us
gifts of every sort. OF home. Of life, OF
liberty. No blessing We enjoy but comes
from God. and calls for grateful acknowl.
edgpment Eternity will be- an oppor-
tunity and an occasion for uniail'ug
nk~giyiug. because only then can we
appreciate. in it, fullest extent the
Il, aiming Of Gods gifts and iavor- 10 H..
Special and appropriate music was
rendered ut both services.