Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1924-11-27
PRESIDENT LEADS
NATION IN THANKS
FOR GREAT BOUNTY
Churches Thronged in Morn
ing and Recreation to Fol-
low Usual Dinner.
CITYS LESS FORTUNATE
ARE WELL REMEMBERED
White House Observance for Few
Intimate Friends-Executive
Hears Sermon.


From the cares of government and
business to the peace of worship and
charity, America turned today to an
other joyous Thanksgiving observ-
ance.
Led by the National Capital and the
President, the whole Nation gave it.
self up to the spirit of the anniver-
sary. and from sunrise until noon
millions of grateful citizens through
out the country poured into their
churches to return thanks for the
blessings the year has brought
All of the traditions held SO dear
in memory of those sturdy Pilgrim
Fathers, who, more than three cen
turies ago, celebrated that first
Thanksgiving day on the fringe of
the wilderness that is now mighty
America, were recalled and perpet-
uated today, including the gala fear-
of the appetizing turkey.
Varied Attractions Call.
In Washington the morning W.
given over to divine worship, IL.
lowed in the early afternoon by IL
traditional turkey dinner. This after
noon the Capital will refresh itself l.
healthful recreation. While thousand
Will pour into waiting stadiums u
witness athletic contests, other thrones
will hurry on foot and by motor int
the welcoming countryside or int
amusement places.
Few, indeed, were the people her.
who may not have had reason to re
call the story of Thanksgiving day.
origin. Private individuals and char
table and patriotic organizations
were kept busy yesterday supplying
the larders to the city's less fortunate
citizens And IL any persons here go
hungry today it will be because they
kept their poverty to themselves.
In many places special dinners were
served for the poor. Worthy homes
heaping baskets of food. Although
turkeys could not be served every
where, at most of the dinners it was
the main feature of the menu.
Coolidge Does No Work.
The President did not appear in his
ohces all day. Accompanied by Mrs
Coolidge and Mr.. and Mrs Frank W.
Stearns. he attended services at the
First Congregational Church at Il
O'Clock. where special Thanksgiving
day services were held. Rev. Dr.
Jason Noble Pierce. pastor OF the
church, preached the sermon.
Expressing his gladness at the ma
tion's prosperity on this Thanksgiv-
ing day DR.. Pierce turned to the tex
of his sermon, Ephesians V, verse %
Give Thanks Always for All Things.
for the broader and truer meaning o!
the spirit for which the day stands .
Tracing the great underlying prin-
clples that prompted the expression
of gratitude for the benefits of life
upon particular day, DR.. Pierce as
serted that for the benefit of hu-
mankind and the betterment OF
neighborly relations the spirit OF
thanksgiving should not merely be
practiced on the last Thursday III
November, but on all occasions at all
times.
Clearer Vision Urged.
With a clearer vision of the mean
ing of Thanksgiving, DR.. Pierce said,
the individual would bring greater
happiness to himself and to others.
He declared that the man who gave
thanks at all times would find in
sorrows and tribulations the means
of enlarging his sphere Of life and
happiness.
Thanksgiving day is dedicated to
the kind of living that makes thanks
giving. The things We can give
thanks for far outnumber other
things. The things that we call mo-
mentary misfortunes can be used to
promote ultimate joy" declared DR..
Pierce, who urged that man not only
express his thanks, but in a practical
way demonstrate that he is really
thankful for his joys.
RetnrpiDor from cbnrch "a Ppesi-
dent and Mrs. Coolidge and their
guests went direct. to the White
House, where a turkey dinner will be
served this evening.
Mass at st. Patrick's.
At ST. Patrick's Catholic Church the
annual Pan-American mass was cele-
brated in the presence of high Of
ficials of the State Department, most
of the members of the resident diplo-
matte corps and high dignataries of
the church. In the sanctuary were
Most Rev. Fuma apostolic
delegate, and Right Rev. Michael j.
Curley, Archbishop of Baltimore.
No religious ceremony in Washing
ton is more gorgeous than the Pan
American mass. Many of the diplo-
mats attend in full dress uniform,
and the official procession of par
ticipants in the mass is pageantry.
1t is led by st. Johns cadets, dressed
in blue and gray uniforms. Follow
ing come the monsignori, the
celebrants of the mass and finally
Archbishop Curley and the apostolic
delegate, wearing their official Epis-
copal robes.
Services at Cathedral.
National Thanksgiving day services
were observed at one church of each of
the leading Christian denominations
The Episcopal service was held at the
National Cathedral. in the beautiful
little Bethlehem Chapel of the Holy Ma
tivity. The chapel was filled, and the
sermon was preached by Rev. DR.. Will
liam l.. De Vries, chancellor of the
cathedral.
The service of the Methodist Episcopal
Church was held at Metropolitan Church,
and Right Rev. William Fraser McDow-
ell, resident bishop of the church in
Washington, preached the sermon. Spe-
cial music was rendered by the choir.
Seats on the lower floor. where there
is a special pew. for people from each
State in the Union, were reserved until
10 minutes before the service started.
Urges Reliance On God.
Baptist Thanksgiving day services
were held at Calvary Baptist Church.
Rev. Edward .. Clark, pastor of