Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-11-30
Union Service Of Thanks
giving Federated Church

Their was q large attendance at the
union service Of Thanksgiving which,
was held Thanksgiving morning at
ten O'clock at the Federated church
with the pastor, Rev. George Thurlon
presiding. Mrs. Ethel w. Ames, orr
ganist of the Bethany Baptist church.
presided at the. organ. The service
opened with organ prelude and sing
ing Come All Ye Thankful People.
President Coolidge's proclamation.
was read by Rev. Thurlon: prayer
was offered by Rev. George Merriam,
pastor OF the Bethany Baptist
church; Offering was received for the
Near East Relief Fund; vocal solo,
SHOW Me the Way, Lord, Mrs.
Donald p. Burrill. director of music
at the Centenary Methodist church,
accompanied by Mrs. Ames: speakers
were introduced by Mr.. Thurlon.
The first speaker, Captain John Wes-
ton Healy, said he believed that the
exeservice men whom he represented
were more appreciative Of and thank
full for our homes and institutions
since the war than before because
we more appreciate that for which
we have fought. He said that he be-
lieved from the psychological point
OF view 1t paid to send the boys in
oOk piSo sOtVA ocdSs u6 turkeys anu
all the fixings for a real Thanksgiv-
ing dinner he said he realized that
In many homes today there would be
sorrow but he also felt that IL those
who had given their lives for their
country could speak and send q
message home today 1t would be
Garry On. The second speaker
was Roland T. Patten, business man.
ager OF the Independent Reporter,
who was to speak from the stand
point Of the press. Mr. Patten said
that this is the day when we seek to
promote thaRkfulness and forget
woes. and he said one of our chief
blessings is that we reside in a fa-
vored land, in favored country, in a
favored state, and a most beautiful
community in which to pass the play
tfme>of youth, the work of manhood
ana where we should be willing to
ole. He mentioned the mountains
and beautiful rivers and lakes in
Maine. w. B. Woodbury., superin-
tendent oe the Skowhegan- Madison
schools began in a humorous vein,
and told a story, and then. said he
was to speak from the standpoint Of
schools. He said we had often
heard 1t said that the hope of a COM
munity lies in the training of the
young and that was true, also that
the hope of the world peace lies in
training OF the young and mentioned
world educational conference held
in Calf. at which state educational
commissioner Thomas of Maine was
honored. Mr.. Woodbury. spoke of
correspondegces between pupils of
I Madison and pupils OF Belgium and
france and the incentive to friendli-
ness OF such correspondence. Carl
ton p. Merrill, cashier of the Show
hegan Savings Bank was the last
speaker and he represented the com.
mpnity. Mr.: Merrill said that while
some Of us perhaps ! thought they
had had their share of sorrow that
as community we had much to be
thankfui for. not only for the bless
ings which we had received. but that
as community we had escaped any
great disaster or CONFEDERATION. and
that the past IL months had been a
period OF peace and prosperity and
that we should show our thankful
ness not only by saying thank you,
but by doing something to show our
thankfulneSs and to make the future
better and happier. The service
closed by a few remarks by MFR.
Thurlon. singing America" and an
organ postlude by Mrs. Ames. This
service was impressive and a spirit
OF devotion and thankfulness pervad-
ed the assembled people of commu-
nifty which has received the blessing
OF COO during the past year.