Fergus County Democrat., 1916-12-07
.REV. kECHLEY'S !
FINE: ADDRESS
THOUGHTFUL SERMON is DELlv.
Erred AT UNION THANkSCiV.
ING SERVICE THURSDAY.
AMERICAS GREATEST DANCER

The union Thanksgiving service at
the Presbyterian churcl, Thursday
morning attracted very large at
tendance. The opening prayer was
offered by Captain Guest of the Sal,
vation Army and the claims of the
Montana Home Finding society. which
received the thank Offering, was
stated by Rev. II. +. Gregg. Fine mu.
sic was furnished BY the Presbyterian
choir.
The sermon was preached by Rev.
L. II. Kechley of the Christian church.
who said it was under most pleasant
surroundings and most favorable cir.
cumstances that they had met on this
THANKSGIVING day, in response to the
prompting OF their higher natures no
less than to the proclamations OF the
president and the governor to render
worship to the Giver and Sustainer
Of all life; the Great Giver Of all our
bounties and the supplier of all our
needs. 1t was fitting that we should
do so in view of the marvellous bles.
sings bestowed upon us as individuals,
as a community, as state and as a
nation. We should pause often and
say seriously, yes. reverently:
IOtu 1Ou vi lIOSl5, Dt Will us ytJ---
Lest we forget"
Some would doubtless be influenced
TO give thanks from purely selfish
reasons. We as nation were rich
and prosperous and adding daily to
our resources, heaping wealth Oh
wealth, while our less fortunate broth.
ers across the water were losing all
and becoming more and more impOver.
ished. piling up a mountain of debt
which would bend the backs. of gen
erations.
Morally and religiously America
had made great advancement. Church
life had been more active and gifts
for benevolent purposes more gener-
GUS than for years past. At the recent
election victories had been won in
Montana and elsewhere for temper
ance and sobriety. John Barleycorn
had been given his death blow here
and elsewhere. 49,.
There was danger that we would
have the attitude Of the Pharisee and
pray, God. thank thee that America
is not like the other nations; that
we are highly favored and greatly
prosperod while other nations are be.
ing desolated and are running into
debt. We shall feast and make merry
this day while millions are starving
in other parts Of the world; we thank
Thee we are not as they are. We
have much while they have little"
Upon the attitude taken and the
real feeling and purpose Of the heart
depends whether or not America will
go down to her house from this
Thanksgiving season, justified rather
than otherwise. What he wished to
call attention to was that Snug and
selfish complacency that made it pos
sible to thrive off the misery of others
and do so little to relieve that misery.
1t had been said that more prayers
were going up from human hearts to-
day than in any time In the history
Of the world. Some. it is contended.
are prayers OF hatred and malice;
some of selfish national interests.
some were mere cries from the awful
darkness OF human suffering and
wretchedness. Yet some were prayers
of contrition and repentance. Where,
he asked would the American Thanks
giving prayer be found? He hoped
that it would not be prayer of boast.
full self-congratulation but one of hum.
Bile contrition. 1t had been many
times said that prosperity was more
dangerous to the soul than adversely.
Riches damned more people than, i'll
all likelihood, did poverty. Some one
had said that Belgium had lost every
thing but had saved her mighty soul.
Was there any danger that America
might gain everything and lose her
soul? That was worth thinking about.
One great reason for thankfulness
was that we were living at this time,
during a great transition period for
the whole world. This was going to
give the church a great opportunity
and out of all the storms now raging
would come the truth that love, not