Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1920-12-02
MINISTER'S MESSAGES
ON THANKSGIVING DAY
Preacher at Union Service Says
World Is Facing Many Crises
Bishop Declares Education
and Religion to Be Bulwarks
of the Home

CUmSsanceS IN the world To- day--SuCh
was the message brought by the Rev.
william F. Wilson. pastor OF the Baptist
Church in his Thanksgiving sermon at
me union service of five Protestant :
Churches. held at the Unitarian Church
Thursday morning.
The speaker took for his text the
words Of Paul in the Itch verse OF the
fourth chapter Of Philippians: II have
learned in whatsoever state I am thsre-
with to be content" Following UP this
thought, the speaker reviewed to some
extent tbs threatening aspects OF world
aSairs and told his audience that these
conditions should not be idly overlooked.
but that, facing these conditions, the
people should still be able to keep the
thankful spirit, be content with the lot
wh.ah has fallen to each and maintain
an abiding faith in the Anal triumph Of
right
A good representation from the various
churches attended the union service. The
Rev. c. J. Staples, pastor of the Uni
tartan Church. was In charge Of the de-
tails Of the service. Special music was
furnished by the choir and organist of
tho Unitarian Church. with a solo by
Harry Gallup, one OF the members Of the
choir
The Governors Thanksgiving procla-
NATION was read by tho Rev. c. ].
Staples. The Rev. c. G. Adams pastor
OF the First Church. led IN the respon-
Give reading; the Rev. !. A. Hamilton.
pastor OF the Methodist Church, read the
Scripture. and the Rev. l. G. Smart, pas
+or OF the College Street Church. offered
prayer.
APPEAL FOR CRIPPLED CHILDREN
Just previous to the sermon. the Rev.
9. J. Sta piles presented matter which
Ii being brought to the attention of the
churches throughout the State by w. H.
Jeffrey. secretary Of the Vermont State
Boarj Of Charities and Probation. Th.
concerns the welfare %: two little girls
who are n great need Of help. but who
DO not coma within the scope OF the
cases for which the Board Of Charities
and Probation Is allowed to spend money.
So there are no funds available with
which these children can be cared for.
One Of these little girls was in a
babies home and had been strapped to
high chair until her little body was
grown out Of shape. When her condition
was discovered by the Board of Chart
ties. 1t was arranged so that she might
be given an operation in a hospital and
receive the proper care. The operation
to straighten her spine proved successful
and the treatment has proven SO bene-
run about and play with other children
But she is a homeless walf and must
have some means of support.
o. The other little girl was run over by
moving machine some time ago and
her feet were so badly lacerated that
she lost one Of them and It was thought
for time that the other one would
have to go also, but that has been
saved. She is a cripple, however, and
the conditions in her home are such
that 1t is impossible for her to return
there.
Mr. Jeffrey. although he has no funds
entrusted to his board which can be used
in these cases, has declared that he will
dnd way to give these children a
chance in life including an education.
With this end in view, he is appealing
to the churches Of Vermont at this time
to raise such funds as possible to pay
for the maintenance and upbringng OF
these children.
In response to this appeal, Thanks
giving collection was taken up and
amounted to s9309 This money will be
turned over to Mr.. Jeffrey for the benefit
Of these children.
THE SERMON
The Rev. Mr. Wilson diverged some.
what from the beaten path of Thanksgiv-
HiS douIesSeS, winch are OIten more Oh
less Of an enumeration Of things and
conditions for which people can be
thankful. Instead of following up this
line Of thought, the speaker put forth
the proposition that real thankfulness is
founded upon something deeper than ar
expression OF gratitude to God for pass
ing blessings. In order to be sincerely
thankful, 1t is necessary to face the hare
things in life, to taste the dregs of thu
cup and yet pour out our thankfulnes'
to God because He Is guiding Us ant
strengthening US to meet these hard
ships
Reading from Bradford's history Of TIT
period which marked the FIRST Thanks
giving. the speaker pointed out that tn
Pilgrims who inaugurated the Thanks
giving festival had suffered excsedingl.
and were, even at the lime whom the
turned their hearts to God In thgnkfjl
moss, wondering whether they wou!'
have enough food GO last them ;hrcuEl
&bat winter But they accepted the CON
dttions in which God had placed than
aud had thankfuiness IL their hearts be
caase they believed In Hia ability nm
~1I to keep tken, ana Eaide them.
WORLD FACING MANY CRISES
Taking up in brief some Of the sinist 10
conditions in prssent world Affairs, tn
Rev. Mr.. Wilson mentioned The grave In
du.tr!ai situation, the closing down Q
many factories throwing men out O
york. meSi,!nR hnrdsIips among tn
workers. He took up tho menace OF tn
Rod army N Europe, deolsr'ng tbs
Lcnine, whatever else he may be, mui
BE- c!"ssed as d great stitosrnan who
abe to control men ans direct large opel
q ioEs. the Bostev the speahs
salt, ara more than holding their owl
With their eastern campaign successful
they can now turn their entire strenRt
against Poland, II they please. And. G
they continue to conquer u Europe,
n quite possible that the.: propaganda
may spread widely in this country, unit
the workers, spurred on against tnos
who may try to lower Wages, will b
como united under the leadership
those who sxpopnd tho Bolshevl
theory.
Other dangers aro facing US at HON
any Cause. Though the appeal has corr
that three million ana half of chi
dren In the Near East will starve with
the year unless help is forthcoming fro
us. yet the appeal has not been a
swersd UP to this time. Tho Red Crol
seems to be having trouble In get;ir
people TO give. Other campaigns 4
money have gone badly.
Although there has been an attsm
within the last year to start "a NOV
nisnt Of district religious nplift. LED