Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1911-12-01
THANKSGIVING SERVICES
Large Congregation al Union Ser
vices Sermon by Rev. John
Lee Allison.

The Union Thanksgiving service was
largely attended and Rev. Mr.. Cantcr.
pastor Of the church presided. Rev.
pr. Watson offered prayer. and Rev.
Mr. LuttrcIl led in the responsive
scripture lesson. Rev. DR.. John Lne
Allison, pastor OF the Second P:tsb'-
tcrian Church preached the sermon.
His text was found in Psalm 26:1.
DR.: Allison said in part: The an
nuaI Thanksgiving proclamation OF the
president calls rs again to a special day
of Thanksgiving. The time even is tit
ting and inspiring. ~ we behold
nature at th., season oi tie year. 1t i
evident that the great divine artist has
passed and touched the cacvas: OF
field and forest with colors Of crimson
and gold and tie soul cxclains, Thou
arowncSt the year with thy goodncS:
and glory.
1t is fitting. then, at this timc 20
publish with the voice Of Thanksgiving
ana tell all Gals wundfolIS works.
Gratitude TO the authOl Of all benefits
and mcrcies isa noble virtue and lis
expression is q sublime exercise of the
soul It cnnohlcs the life, transforms
the nature and subInatos the charac-
Ter. The spirit Of Thanksgiving is the
evidence of spiritual health. II be-
comes a tonic fer the soul and as foun-
taiIis Of gratitude burst forth the life
becomes richer in blessed experiences.
We should praise the Lord for the
wealth Of harycsl> with their abundant
yields for man aud beast for
Back OF the LOAF
Is tie SNOWY flour
And back OF the flour is the mill,
And back oi the mill
Is the sunshine and showers
Aud the Fathers will. - BabcocE.
We should thank him for smoking
furnaces. factories and mills that crI-
dencc industry, bringing prosperity
and plenty.
We may well thank the LORD Tor
christian homes. havens of psacc and
rest, sauctuarics 0f strength and har-
pluess. Here are found those pr!nci'
pies OF purity and integrity that are
the safeguard Of our nation. Family
religion is IN essential factor III the
construction Of noble civilization aud
the dcyelopcmeut Of Il great people.
There is no %ork comparable tO
Character G.Ii.tl.s i. IT, All hD.n=
where parents recognize their personal
privilege and responsibility III train
ing the children that eur sons may be
rs plants grown up iii their growth
and our daughters rs cornerstone pol
iishcd after the fashion of palaces, the
greatness Of Il nation is not found Ill
wea Ith, or in 4 great army or navy but
in the personal purity Of IS citizenship.
Each home should be Il Bethel, each
fire side = shrine dedicated 10 God.
We should again be grateful to Go!
for our Nation, with its civil and re-
lieious liberty. Sentiment should be
translated into service and gratitude for
its precious institutions should be ex-
pressed in the power Of Il pure patriot
ism.
We should Si!ank Him for the
church. jt is n divine institution
ana through its ordinances lives are
to be built into the kingdom Of right
eousncss and peace.
But best OF all We praise the Lord
for what He is-thc unchauging and
interchangeable Beng, i'll the dignity OF
His person, might Of power. scope of
Ioyc. value Of sacrifice and fidelity oI
His promises