Reformed Presbyterian Minutes of Synod 1928 - Rparchives.org

62 MINUTES OF THE SYNOD OF THE
Dr. Ellis Book 575.00
Dr. McAllister Manual 1,243.85 1,818.85 56,950.51
Cash on hand Oct. 31, 1927 365.74
$57,316.25
Audited by:—
J. F. MARTHENS, JR.,
Public Accountant.
T. M. Slater submitted the report on The Signs of the
Times, which was adopted as a whole, and is as follows:
REPORT ON SIGNS OF THE TIMES
One of the symptoms of any age is the way the Christians
of that time observe their own appointed days of Thanksgiving
and Fasting.
Modernized Thanksgivings
No one familiar with our national history will deny that
a great change has come over the American people in their
estimate of the significance of Thanksgiving Day. As originally
observed it was a day of worship. The men and women
who firstinaugurated it lived near to God, had a deep sense of
their dependence on Him, and a grateful recognition of His
care. Accordingly the day was set apart from common days in
a way worthy of its high purpose. Its hours were full of grateful
devotion. Its social festivities were beautifully blended with
piety, so that the tone of the day was almost Sabbath-like in
its quiet rest and holy activities. In contrast with this the day
is now almost wholly secular—with a minimum of religion. For
the most p(art it is given over to feasting and pleasure-seeking.
As the climax-day of all athletic sports it has, for the great
majority of our citizens, no more religious significance than
any other holiday. This is the atmosphere in which we are living,
in which our children are growing up, and by which we
are all being influenced to some extent. In some places the attendance
of people at the Thanksgiving services of their own
congregations is secured only by arranging these at such hours
as will not conflict with the local football game. The sparcely
attended union-services in every community is a sorry witness
to how much God's children are worshipping Him in His own
House on this day.
Neglected Fast Days
Equally significant is the attitude of the present generation
toward the appointed days of Fasting. Time was when
these figured vitally in the religious life of America. In the
Colonial days, public Fasts were observed again and again
with great blessing. During the dark days of the Civil War,
Mr. Lincoln with the concurrence of Congress called this nation
to a day of solemn Fasting and prayer; and at a time when the
cause of the Union was growing more and more desperate, no
one counted but the skeptical reality of ever the floutedthe deliverance President's which followed. faith, or dis­
For