The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-11-20

to-UOTTOW evening VIII Sicut piSaSuio
and profit by an immense audience OF
sincere workers, who hold that, after
all, the spiritual development of the
race is the highest service in which
men and women can be engaged.
THANKSGIVING: THEN AND NOW.
Next Thursday will be Thanksgiving
Day. 1t will be observed throughout
the country. In the South we have a
great deal to be thankful for. and 1t
is expected that all the churches in
Richmond will be filed with devout
worshipers to testify in this way their
faith in an overruling Providence and
their gratitude for the bounties be-
slowed upon them and this land,
Time was when the spirit of our
people was crushed and broken; when
the outlook seemed hopeless; when the
mercy of God appeared to have gone
from us forever Yesterday copy OF
The Virginia Herald" published at
Fredericksburg on December %, 1865,
was brought to this office, 1t contains
this letter from Richmond TO the New
York News, which is reproduced here,
not for the purpose Of reawakening
bitter thoughts of the past that is with
the eternal past. but for the purpose of
showing by contrast now much we
have gained since the dark days of
1866:
"A most striking illustration of the
contrast which exists in the feeling
and sympathies of the Northern and
Southern people. at the present time
could scarcely be. obtained from an
observation OF the manner in which
the two sections observed the day
lately set apart by the President as
a day of Thanksgiving.
The Northern journals teen with ac-
counts of crowded churches and i'm
posing services, Never, perhaps, in
their whole history as nation, did
they SO fully realize the extent Of the
obligation under which they lay TO
return thanks 10 Almighty God for
blessings which, without measure, have
been showered upon them. Peace, after
-FOUR years of war, of which although
they never knew half of it's horrors
yet knew enough to cause them re-
Jolclng when Its thunders ceased-and
prosperity, which, under the circum-
stances, is almost unparalleled in the
history OF any people, surely ii Will
become them to acknowledge the
bounteous hand of a benetcent Provi-
dence.
Now mark the contrast, The
churches in this city We're also opened.
not In fulfllment of any ardently ey-
pressed wish of the people, but from
prudential considerations. But where
are the number which were wont 10
CROWD the sanctuaries? .Alasi one min
ister ofhciates TO a congregation OF
fourteen pefs ms; another to seven. and
sun another leaves his pulpit because
there was no one within sound Of bts
voice. nor Goes this arise from a Sant
OF reiis!ous feeling in the commun. Y.
put rather from a want of gymnathv
~ tne opoect for which the day was
set apart. One is iorcibly reminded a,
the wall of the captive Israeljtes.
They that carried us, ave. o.',t,,..
required Of us a song, and thew that
wasted us required Of us mirtt, say-
ing; sing us one OF the songs of zior
no" snail we sing the Lords song
IN strange land?n And how can wa We
SING songs OF praise over desolated
homes. the graves OF our loved ones
and the captiyity or exile of our n,ost
honored and beloved? How can We
rejoice whilst our country wayers 4,
the balance between existence ava
annihilaton; whilst her worst ene,nias
put forth their whole Strength M oo,,,
Pass her ruin? MOI but did The hnrn.
nlest authority in this Southern ,anl
set aside q day Of fasting, humilinttnr
and prayer, what numbers would hoy,
hoWn before her sacred Hltars ~.
what cry world ascend FROM ~,
crushed and bleeding hearts OF he,
people for mercy and the uplifting 4
the cloud which threatens to over
whelrn them The Inference from ~,
is, that whilst outward observance !,
certain extent may be forced ~
human heart wifi assart It's treedo,,
and that until the Southern peonle Co.
tangible ground for hope all the thanh
giving days In the wear will NOT rails
one paean TO Heaven"
We have passed that period sot IN
initiation long since, and we ought /
be unteignedly thankful that we wer