The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-11-30
RELIGIOUS ASPECT Of
THANKSGIVING DAY
Services Held Yesterday In Large
Number of Churches OF
Richmond.
ArTENDANCEs GRATIFYING.
Ministers Point Out New Reasons
Why in Days of World Crisis Amer
lea Has Large Reasons for Thank
ftiineSs.

Probably the religious aspect of
Thanksgiving day was more in evil
dence yesterday than on any previous
celebration of the day in Richmond.
In numerous churches special ser
mons were delivered. Many of the
meetings were fnterdenoninational
union services. while In other cases the
denominations designated churches
for their several congregations.
In practically every case extremely
gratifying attendances were reported.
Among the Baptist churches desig-
mated for services was First Baptist,
where Rev. W. Thorburn Clark, pas
tor OF Fulton Baptist church, con-
Quoted the service.
H. spoke from the theme, Passing
Through the Valley of Baes," and drew
from the lessons of the ancient Israel
tie journeying through the desert and
forbidden land on the way to the Zion
of his hopes the thought that man
should rise above his environment and
Journey with Thanksgiving through
he desert places and experiences of
earth. knowing that a heavenly Jeru-
salem awaits. Mans happiness. de-
ciared the speaker. does not depend
upon his surroundings. He may rise
above them.
Mr.. Clark has two Sons In the army
end he on wednesday received a let
ter from them Somewhere in,
France"
Other Baptis, churches at which
services were held were Broadus Me-
mortal. at which Few. william Hedley
delivered the sermon: at weatherford
Memorial, where Rev, ]. A. Barker
preached: and at Tabernacle where
oil had ~}a ri
service
Union Service MT WeKtminmter.
Thanksgiving was celebrated on a
large scale yesterday. both spiritually
and materially. in Westminster Pres
hyterian church when large nunb Der
IF thankful people in the West End
filled the edifice and gave Of their
abundance. The collection taken yes
ssrday, which WAS surprisingly large,
was divided between the Richmond
Home for Ladies' and the Belle Bryan
Day nursery. The church presented a
holiday appearance with flowers bank
ing the pulpit, and the service was
opened 81 II o'clock by the pastor OF
he church Rev, Dr. J, Y. Fair Rev
. II. Lambeth. pastor ~ Monument
Methodist church. read the tosrd psalm
and Or. Gilbert GLASS. superintendent
Of Sunday school union OF the seven
Presbyterian churches, offered the
Thanksgiving prayer. Rev. DR. Thomas
a. Smoot, pastor OF Centenary Meth
odist church. delivered tn, sermon.
-f+.F-iN t~&-t t5uJICf
Thing TO Give Thans Unto the Lord"
The union OF the West End churches
in this service proved p great suecess
and IL wss very much enjoyed by
the pastors as well as the large con-
EFesat!on,
Az ~. Paars.
Rev. Or w. Russell Bowie delivered
impressive sermon in ST. Pauys
Episcopal church yesterday morning at
II o'clock to a large congregation. The
TEXT Of his sermon from Nehemiah was
For the JOY OF the Lord is Your
strength" He htted the conditions of
today TO those in the, time Of the
Nehemiah upheld the laws OF God and
the prayed that America should gather
strength through Soy IN the Lord
At Bread-street Church.
~ E-oaa strast Methceisr ehaE CHI
rev. w. r. Thompson occupied the pull
hit at - o'clock preaching Thanks
giving sermon on the text. Happy Is
the Man Whom God correcteth" A
large ccngresatior was present.
Rev. Carter Ashton Jenkens er1 bodied
she true spirit OF Thanksgiving In the
sermon ne delivered to large congre-
cation that gathered in Calvary Bap
fist church,
At Beth Ahatah
Expressing his opinion that the peo-
rle of America should not only rem
der thanks to the Almighty this year
FOR having kissed the soil into fruit
sulness. hut for giving This nation an
opportunity to sharing these bless
sings with the rest OF the world. Or.
Edward Y Cslisch gave one OF
The reasons for Thanksgiving at
rpecial service at Beth Ahabah CON
-
subject was Unusual Reasons for
THANKSGIVING and his plea va. for
the realization Of Americas blessings
tn the ability to serve humanity in
sts fight for democracy
tsThanksgi wing comes 10 US this
hear under unusual conditions" said
pr Caitsch. 1T comes seriously and
Mnds us In earnest spirit Our usual
rnanks for eont. crops holds good this
year also but is NOT the primary rea-
son for our thanksgiving. The real
reason is the opportunity 10 serve the
world"
The thanks we are giving this year
ere not merely because OF the fact that
orr OWN wants have heen satisfied -
and they have but primarily because
~ the position II which we have been
.rise-A by our part in the world war.
we are In a PORTION where by self
denial. we can be of service to those
reoples who are bending under the
yoke OF war and oppression"
As TO hsing actually in the war DR.
s~slisch declared that America should
be grateful for that too---gratef that
the nation Is privileged TO shed it's
blood as we'll as to give the fruits Of
sts labors that freedom and democ-
racy may cover the world even rs
She waters cover the sea
The music was another distinctive
feature and consisted OF a quartet
choir and n chorus or twenty voices.
The singing of MY Country, IT'S Of
Thee and The star Spangled Ban
ner-' was Joined in by all.
Many Hear DR.. Schercr.
Thanksgiving service at First Eng
fish Evangelical Lutheran church con-
4ucted by the Rev i. J Sherer at 0 80
o'clock yesterday morning had the
hest attendance in the church's his
tory of Thanksgiving services. The
subject of Rev. Sherer's sermon was
2,My Grace rs sufficient for Thee