Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-11-30

civilization. but today let us forget them
and speed our thought, time and energy in
joyous Thanksgiving.
thankfulness for benefits received Is an in
stinct of human nature universally COM
mended In word, however much belied in
deed No blacker contumely can be heaped
upon person than to call him an migrate.
In considering the idea of Thanksgiving it
Is pertinent to ask at what point In the de-
scending scale Of benefits received does the
duty of thanksgiving cease.
Spirit Of Thanksgiving.
The second passage Of the text teaches
that the spirit of thanksgiving should
reach down into the lowest deep
OF human experience. Giving thanks
always for all things &C. There is
no providence that comes to us, IL received
| patiently and submissiyely. but can be
| turned into blessing. The conditions out
OF which arise the thanksgiving and praise
song or our text are extreme In their dis
couragement and distress. There were two
great universal gifts enjoyed. however, in
/ spite of the unfavorable conditions that
were abundant Qualifications for the. song
of Thanksgiving.
What are these two universal gifts that
should inspire Thanksgiving In every heart
age and condition? First-L.ife, with its
present usefulness and enjoyment, and it's
! inestimable future promise and possibility.
occoilu-SnFlStlan revelation or GOD and
ra1th In Him. These are two stones out Of
which every person can build an altar upon
which to offer God continual praise and
thanksgiving.
| nation for thanksgiving. The unex-
ampled material prosperity of the past
year-the greatest in history. The peace,
| industrial. national annd international, that
has blessed the world the past year. The
awakening of the national conscience and
the consequent triumph Of righteousness in
business and social relations. The growing
| revival of interest in spiritual affairs and
, the promise of a great spiritual awakening
The Christian humanitarianism shown In
the response to the needs of our earthquake
sufferers The increasing greatness. wealth
and glory of our nation"
Race and Other Questions.
The race question In the United States
Senator Tillman's speech in Chicago, and
Mrs. Parsons book on marriage, were
scored by Rev. Alfred Harding, pastor of
st. Paul's Episcopal Church, at the Thanks
giving services there yesterday. He de-
clared that the problems mentioned will not
be solved by fiery utterances and sensa-
tional writings. but only by the American
people leading Christian lives
He gave thanks for the fact that the peo-
pie of this country are beginning to display
moral courage sufficient to combat with
such evil conditions. He also read to his
congregation President Roosevelts Thanks
giving proclamation, urging the leading Of
lives of morality.
Dr. Harding took for his text, TITS a good
thing to give thanks unto the Lord and sing
praises to thy name almost highest He
said all Christians are familiar with the
sacredness of Thanksgiving. even the chill
dren are taught by their prayer books the
meaning of thanks.
Social and Commercial Conditions.
The speaker declared that the social and
commercial conditions are threatening trou-
Bile, and he discussed the dishonesty Of GER
tain large commercial Institutions
There Is much unrest and dissatisfac-
ton among tho working men,, he said.
There is much need for protecting the
family interests, as the marital theory ad-
vocated by Mrs. Parsons in her recent
book would destroy families. The strong
will not be affected. but the foolish and
weak will be led astray by such literature.
Only last week a man being tried for in
fidelity to his wife offered as defense the
theory of this awful book. We should give
thanks for the good work being accom-
plished by the interstate divorce congress.
and let us hope 1t will solve this prob
lem"
The church was decorated for the Thanks
giving services. The altar was strewn
with fruits. and the auditorium was bril-
liant with illumination. Holy communion
was held at an early hour. and the full
choral service was offered. special col
lection was made for the benefit OF the aged
and infrm clergy of Washington and for
the Door.
DR.. Harding was assisted by Rev. Charles
H Holmead.
Many members Of the twenty white Bap-
fist churches in the District of Columbia
assembled in the Calvary Baptist Church
at IL o'clock yesterday forenoon to at
tend the annual union services which are
held on each recurring Thanksgiving Day.
The large auditorium was well filled with
the worshippers and the congregation was
representative one. 1t Is estimated that
at least 1000 persons were present.
The collection which Is taken up annually
was the largest yet received. 1t will be
applied to the Baptist Home in the Dis
trict.
An appropriate and earnest sermon was
preached by Rev. Samuel H. Greene, pastor
of Calvary Baptist Church. from the 1O3d
Psalm. I'd verse The topic was THE Min
istry Of Gratitude" The points covered
were, first, a sign Of relation. hip; second.
an expression Of appreciation, b third,
sign of enlargement.