Newspaper Page Text
December 22, 1909. THE PRESBYTERI/
THE THANKSGIVING SERVICE WITH CHRIST
LEFT OUT.
I am, Mr. Editor, the preacher of the Presbyterian
church here, and am considered a pretty broad man.
In looking over your news column, I failed to see a
notice of our great Thanksgiving union services, held
the other day, and so I take the liberty of sending
you a condensed write-up of the affair. The evangeli
cal churches joined in the services in a very fraternal
spirit, as did also our neighbors, the Jews, who were
not only liberal enough to enter into the combination,
but who offered the use of their synagogue, which was
very gratefully accepted. The Catholics were invited
to join in, but were so narrow as to decline, thus
missing an opportunity that may never be presented
again, i ne raDDi, and the Christian ministers sat in
a suggestive row, on the platform, and there were
present many representatives of all their congregations,
indulging in smiles whose broadness was eminently
suited to the occasion. All the ministers present took
some part in the service. I may say, just here, that
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feature, and that "the proprieties" also demanded
that the hymn, "All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name",
be left out.
Following the opening piece, (which was simply
grand!) Jhe learned rabbi delivered a very eloquent
prayer, which, at once caught the attention of the
large congregation.
Then a passage was read from the Old Testament,
after which there was another rendition by the
splendid choir of Jews and Christians. Then came the
sermon, preached by one of the Christian ministers,
which was more beautiful than any feeble words of
mine can express! Of cours'e, nothing was said about
Jesus Christ and the great salvation He brings. This
would have been mal apropos, as the services were
held in a building whose use was tendered by some of
His enemies. I noticed, too, in the prayers, that,
while thanksgiving was offered "for the many blessings
we enjoy, such as local and national prosperity,
freedom in worship, and the sweet, fraternal spirit
prompting and permeating such gatherings as this,
etc." there was no mention of the greatest Blessing?
that "unspeakable Gift" of ^od to a lost world, Jesus
Christ, our Saviour!
Then, too, I felt somewhat awkward, when, in the
prayer I offered, I was constrained, under the circumstances,
to leave out the words I always use in
my own church: "We come in the name of Christ."
I remembered that he himself had said, "No man
cometh unto the Father but bv me:" and this thoueht
presented itself, "Can we, indeed, worship God here,
publicly, where we have left Jesus Christ on the other
side of the door?"
Then again, when, in confessing sins and asking
forgiveness, the minister omitted to urge, "For Christ's
sake," I must confess that I closed my eyes more
tightly, and pressed my hands to my face more closely.
A fV*/* ??* ? * * *
juivi inv ati iiiun, a cuuecuon was announced r>y the
rabbi, who said "that the offering would be used in assisting
unfortunate men and women and children deprived
of an adequate support, in the providence of the
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LN OF THE SOUTH. 7
great God, whom we all worship." That was very
pathetic and fraternal; and the contributions were large.
We were then dismissed with the benediction (not
apostolic) and went to our homes and turkeys. But I
must confess that the following thoughts have been
urging themselves insistently upon my attention, viz:
Was there not involved, on mv nart a rpnunriatinn
of Jesus Christ, so far, at least, as concerned this
Thanksgiving service?
Was I strictly true to him when I deliberately engaged
to participate officially in such services? Am
I not a minister of Teana Christ?
Is there not danger of pandering to public sentiment
?
And I have determined never again to take part in
any religious service where I may not freely present
him as prominent and necessary?publicly acknowledging
him as divine Redeemer?King of kings and Lord
of lords!
The Pastor of th*? T.ih*ra1tm>m -1 L
"NOT KNOWING."
Heb. 11:8.
"I know not what may befall me," God
Tenderly shades my eyes.
And so at each step in my onward path
He makes -new scenes arise;
And every joy he sends me comes as a
Sweet surprise.
l see not a step before me, yet I journey
Without a fear;
The past still in God's keeping?the
Future his mercy will clear.
And what looks dark in the distance
May brighten as I draw near.
For perhaps the dreaded future is less
Bitter than I think;
The Lord may sweeten the waters
Before I stoop to drink;
Or if Marah must be Marah, he will
Stand beside the brink.
It may be that he Is waiting for the
Coming of my feet.
Some gift of such blessedness, some joy so
Passing sweet
That my lips shall only tremble with
The thanks they can not speak.
Oh, restful, blissful Ignorance! 'Tis blessed
Not to know;
It keeps me quiet in these arms that
Will not let me go,
And hushes my soul to rest on the
Bosom that, loves me an
I journey on, "not knowing". I would not
If I might;
I would rather w*lk in the dark with God
Than walk alone in the light;
( would rather walk with him by faith
Than walk alone by sight.
. /
My heart shrinks back from trials that
The future may disclose;
Yet I never had a sorrow but as
The dear Lord chose;
So I send the coming tears back, with the
Whispered words, "Ha knows."
Savannah, Ga.