Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-11-27
THANKSGIVING is
REMEMBERED IN
CHURCH SERVICES
Special Programs Arranged for
the occasion-Large Audi
ences Attend.
OFFERING FOR CHARITY
Rev. J. l. Vance Gives Sermon at
Union Exercises at First
Baptist Church.

The union Thanksgiving service
held at the First Baptist church this
morning at 1890 was well attended.
An Interesting program had been ar
ranged and an offering was taken for
the benefit Of the Associated Chart
ties
n The following program was carried
out:
Organ Prelude. Miss Alwilda Young
Anthem. Lord. Vouchsafe Thy Low
ing NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.. ...... Choir
Reading, Presidents Proclamation
..-...........-.R Rev. II. W. Reed
Hymn. 1908. Come. Ye Thankful
People, Come" Observation-Disclosures.
.....-......Choir and Congregation
Responsive Reading. Psalm 1O5. p.
Gl.--.-.........-- Rev. II. w. Reed
Prayer ..-.-. Rev. ". 8. Marquis
Solo, a Hymn OF Praise''-Metcaf
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.. Tage JOranson
Sermon. Christian Thanksgiving"
........... Rev. John Leyda Vance
Prayer --.--.-....-.- ---.-.-...-..
The Thanksgiving Offering.
Statement by Rev. T. z. Newland
Hymn. 1909. My Country. 'Tis of
Thee. Choir and Congregation
Benediction. Rev. J. L. Vance
Postlude ....--..... Miss Young
The Sermon.
The feature was the sermon deliv-
cred BY Rev. J. l. Vance OF the United
Presbyterian church His theme was
Christian Thanksgiving" He took
his text from Heb. 13:15-16. He said:
Those who issue Thanksgiving
procIamations and those who try to
have them duly regarded must often
be concerned with the question. how
20 secure a proper or better general |
observance OF the custom and coca !
sion. How can religious gratitude be /,
fos> cred in the minds and hearts OF 1
the great mass Of our people and how /
can its reverent expression be secur
ed. l have heard the suggestion that
Thanksgiving sermons might be 4
preached very effectively in individ-
uaI churches on the Sabbath preceding
the day set apart for Thanksgiving.
which might help some. such sermons
being somewhat different in character
from the formal address on the holt
day, preparatory. like our sermons be
fore sacrament Sabbath. Some ser
iOus effort Is needed TO rescue the
spirit OF this festival from the sepul-
uhure OF sensuous and sportive excess
into which II tends TO fall. This is a
voluntary observance, but IL should
be preserved from perversion.
The text We have chosen Is richly
suggestive of thoughts suitable for
the occasion. In our improved YER
sion the precise term. Thanksgiving
does not appear. but the idea pervades
the entire passage. And how beauti-
full is that imagery which conceives OF
our praise TO God for his gifts as a
sacrifice. the dedicated fruit ;
Of confessing lips. In ancient ritual
the first fruits were set apart for holy
use I'm the worship of God. the author
OF natures abundance. And so sim
cere thanks giving is a. rare ripe frui. {
devoted in Offering TO God. The lips ,
that pour forth praise are like brim- 1
full cornucopias which inspire Joy in
the presence OF the angels. AS God r
empties his horn OF plenty upon the 4,
earth. our lips should trumpet forth ,
his praises Il Is not the food that We {
eat but the thanks which We speak. c
not what our mouths consume but =
IS hat our lips produce. that constitutes G
he fruit OF our lips. Let every mouth 4
hen that tastes the sweets OF life be /