The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1912-11-28

held at the First Presbyterian church
this morning under the auspices OF
the local Ministerial ASSOCIATION. were
attended by Il large number. Specia!
music for the occasion was furnished
by the Presbyterian choir. uncer the
direction Of w. W. Norton, and Rev.
], Nelson Lentz. pastor Of the English
Lutheran church, preached the SER
mon.
His address in full follows:
In other countries the people are
called together to give thanks for the
recovery of a ruler from sickness or
for some great military triumph.
But the custom we observe TO-DAY Is
American in its origin and history. az
we'll as in it's character. Attempts
have been made to connect 1t with
earlier English observances. Nothing
in history can be palmer than thai
this institution Is native to New Eng.
land soil.
1t originated in colonial times, when
the continued existence of those strug-
CLING communities seemed to De sus-
harvest. In the dependence the strug-
Cling, the sorrors Of the time. 1t was
suited to the needs Of the occasion.
1t has survived the occasion that
called it forth and the generation In
which 1t appeared for the reason that
it is adapted to the natural feelings
Of mankind. It Is q custom 80 agree
able to the feelings Of every man who
believes in an overruling Providence.
territory as a feature of u national
life. appealing to all except the thor
ough-going unbelievers and fatalist.
This service Of praise offered In our
churches and in our homes has the
same Significance today that 1t had to
those who first Joined in its celebra-
ton. So long as the promise holds
good and seed time and harvest do
not fail, abundant reasons will be
observance should be devoutly and re-
ligiously kept, and will strengthen Its
hold upon the regard of our people.
1t is a curious circumstance. that
along with an occasional day Of fast
ing and prayer, a Thanksgiving day
service is the only church service
which a civil magistrate appoints or
directs. 1t is the one ling left of the
many that used to connect church and
people, hope shall not be broken. but
continue to hold church and state in
security and permanency.
This nation acknowledges God as
the Lord. 1t is therefore fitting that
our chief executive should call the
people onc a year to praise Him for
His wonderful goodness to the children
Of men. Such a proclamation goes
forth year after year because there is
annually recurring aus for thank
fulness.
There are gathering about this day
many associations which tend to hal
low it, We recall all the wonderful
p~rovidences which our ancestors ex-
perienced and were thankful for. In
all their hardships and sufferings. in
all their struggles against poverty and
wild beasts and barbarous men, In ev-
cry time of attack upon their homes
famine, through every rage Of relig-
ious intolerance and deprivation OF
civil liberty, the providence of God
was round and about them, giving
them courage and heart. faith in
themselves and hope in God. These
wonderful provfdences, as well as the
sterling character Of our ancestors,
appeal to u gratitude no less pow
erfully than later blessings. which we
with the future.
Associated With .C0untry's History
Thanksgiving day associates itself
closely with the history Of the coun-
try and it does this largely through
the history Of individuals and families.
It is a splendid tribute to the home
life of country that this service
of praise, involving the union Of kin
dred and social circles should have
gained such wide and permanent pop
ularity. It is the n genuine home
festival in which the word "home" is
used. 1t is Of home origin and Is
kept largely under the ancestral roof
tree, about the domestic hearth and
the family board.
Many are the happy homes or this
holiday because o and daughter,
with their sons and daughters have
gone home to visit the aged parents.
Many are the joyous family reunions
where kindred gather around laden
tables to eat tho fat and drink the
sweet.
The %children's faces are frightened.
their voices gladstone. Everything Is
Joy and everybody happy.
Where these home associations are
impossible the home memories hallow
the day. Who of us have not thought
Of home today-home beyond the
Mississippi. beyond the Alleghenies,
beyond the oceans expanse, home
where fathers grave ia, where mother
still lives. God bless the old folks
at home!
The providential experiences Of our
ancestors and the associations Of home
life tend to hallow Thanksgiving day.
There Is another halloWed association