Durango semi-weekly herald., 1906-12-03
THANKSGIVING SERMON.


O.
The union Thanksgiving service
yesterday was well attended. The
music was specially good and the SER
mon by Rev. Mr. Ferguson was close
y followed In part Mr. Ferguson
said:
Luke VIII 1916: "And one of them.
when he saw that he was healed,
turned back, and with a loud voice
glorified God. and fell down on his
ace at his feet. giving him thanks;
md he was a Samaritan"
Thanksgiving Day has returned.
The hope is that It's spirit has an
,bode in every heart here this morn
ing. Occasion for gratitude is the
best gift of God.
Complaints are heard now and then
10 the effect that the multiplication
4 holidays is becoming burdensome
20 people. The assertion contains
more or less truth. The nation is
ldding TO the number of days set
apart to commemorate the events in
It's history; states are adding to the
number of days set apart to commem-
1rate the events in their history; and
social organizations are adding to the
number of days set apart to commem-
)rate the events in their history.
Business men have TO suspend opera
lions in honor of them; schools are
expected to observe them: and
churces have to participate in them.
Sometimes these customs are an an
loying interruption, and, in preparing
or them and recovering from them,
much time is lost. But none should
want to call halt by beginning with
Thanksgiving Day. If there is one in
,titution which merits observance
more than all the rest, that is this.
The Pilgrim fathers kept the season
II celebration of their first harvest
On American shores; from then till
now our fathers have kept the sea
son; and there is as much reason for
rs 10 keep the season in the present
as there was for them TO do so In the
past. We have found cures for
great many of our Ills during the last
twelve months, like the leper in the
Scripture lesson. and we should re-
II them are as follows:
I. We have found a cure for some
If our physical ills.
Last spring we felt a great deal of
apprehension in regard to the agricul
tural prospects. The snow laid on the
ground around us late into the sea
son. The weather was cold; vegeta.
lion was slow in starting; and the
farmers had many misgivings In re-
gard to the coming crops. But the
sun shone out with full force at the
last, and the soil became warm fast,
and all kinds of growth made rapid
growth. Today we have as many veg
etables as usual for our tables: we
have as many turkeys as usual to ap-
pease our carnivorous appetites, and
| the reports from the rural districts
are that this has been the most abund-
ant harvest In the annals of this re-
| gion of the country. All of our ma
terial needs have been supplied, and
more than supplied by the open hand
( of God.
2. We have found a cure for some
of our social ills.
Less than a year ago we were living
in wide-open town. The air around
us was redolent of debauchery. There
were public wine roms to allure our
daughters to ruin: there were public
/
bands and fathers; but there is a con.
spicuous absence of those sort OF
places today. We have to look for
them TO find them. and the atmos
phere has changed. The last elec
tion shows that the sentiment of the
town is opposed to those vices, and
though the present sheriff was de
feafed by the vote of outlying pre-
cincts, the sberlfr-elect is on record
as intending to pursue similar pol
Icy.
3. We have found a cure for sons
Of our ecclesiastical ills.
Our several denominations have
made good progress. Both our in
come and membership have increased
All of our local churches have been
liable to meet their obligations. Some
OF them have paid off STANDING