Thanksgiving Day

The Thankssiving fertnon was delivered by Rev. Dr. Bradshaw, the new Congregational minister of Ann Arbor, in the Baptist cburch. Like Rev. Dr. Eddy, last jear, the speaker used this opportunity for a practical discussion of the social and politioal evils threatening this country. The seimon was introduced by a careful summary of the advantages this nation enjoyed; its location, guaranteeing peace nd power; its agricultural, mineral and saanufacturing resources; the character of the people of Anglo-Sa::on descent, bringiflg to 'his country ideas of local seli-government; the separation of church and gtate; the development of the people's inventive genius under the pressure of necestity; the struggle of antagonistic ideas of freedom, resulting in victory for the cause of human liberty ; the great educational facilities; and our being the largest posgessors of all those things that have to do with social and political being. " The words of the text are justified," said Mr. Bradshaw ; " we have sufficient reason to be thankful, in view of these eonsiderations. But we are called up;m to entreat a continuance of these favors. This leads ua to ask why we have been so distinguished, and on what conditions we may expect a continuance of these blessings. "These things are given us in trust, to be used for the extensión of righteousnes? and peace and eood will upon earth. More par'icularly this country affords a field for ihe answering of two questions: 1. Are men capable of governing them selres ? 2. In such a world as we inhabit, can men long sustain sweet, fraternal relations with one another in society ? ''There never has been such a field for solution of such questions as is efforded in this country. Il democratie institutions can exist any where, they can here. If social coiifiicta can be done away with at sil, they can here. It we are able solve these questioDS in the affirmaiive, we shall leac the world's future; if we fail, the hope ol popular government has gone back for centuries. "Two dangers threaten us, - one politica], and the other social, - the first crowing out of the second. It is the danger that democracy will give way to absolutism - the history of every democracy oí the past - this springing from social difficuliies arising along the line of an aristocracy of wealih. Mny are already demanding a stronger government; that 1877 be repeated; and many of the best citizens of the country would be willing to risk the ill of a despotism for the sake of the secunty it might bring. "Ho can these dangers be averted ? By a hearty return to the principies which lay at the foundation of the government: 1. Recignitioo of the responsibilities of sovtreignty ; 2. The true spirit cf democ racy - self-sacritice for the general good, or "Do justly, love raercy, and walk humbly with thy Gori," - fair dealing and kind feeling springing from a recogoition of the Fatherhood of' Gd and the brotherhood of all men as his children. The root of anarchism is atheism. The leaders of anarchism endeavor to propágate atheism. This can be met and overeóme only by the prevalence and exhibition of the spirit of the gospel of Christ. " From this f tand-point, what are the prof-pectti ? In some respecta they are disheartening. There are some indications of decline in public moráis: a tendency to utter desecration cf the Sabbath, and the increase of crime. From 1872 to 1876, our population iocreased 44 per oent. During the same period the number of conviction8 for grosser crimes increased 178 per cent. The present disturbing socialistic and anarchistic tendencies are another evidence. The encroachments of wealtb, the manipulation of the necessaries of lite on the board of trade, and the trusts for haniiling almost all the necessaries of life; the black list; the power of the lobby in legislation ; the disadvantages of the poor man in the higher courts of law, are all eviderjees of this decline in public moráis." Mr. Bradshaw stands not as a prophet of ill omen ; he hopes for the good of the country, becauss of the fact that the true humanitarian spirit of the gospel ol Christ, which is peace on earth and good will to men, is finding more of expression, and is shaping the activities and relations of men to one another. Here lies our hope, he thinks. The practical application of it all to us individually is the neeesmy of consecrating ourselves anew to the spirit of doiüg jusily, loving mercy, and walking humbly with our God. D .ing this we may pray confidently for a continuance of the blessings we rejoice in this day.