Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1875-12-02
THANKSGIVING SERMON.
Delivered by Rov. 9. w. Ration, on Thanks.
giving Day In the Congregational Church,
Lancaster, w Esc onsin.

| Lancaster, Wisconsin.
And out of them shall proceed thanksgiving
and the voice of them that make merry
| and | will multiply them, and they shall not
be few; will also glorify them, and they
shall not be smalL-JER 80, 10.
This is certainly descriptive of the
first hundred years of our history.
Our unparalleled growth and prosper
ity have furnished abundant occasion
for the institution Of an annual nation.
al thanksgiving. Would that our
gratitude had been more deep, sincere
and fervent. There should ever be
heard among us, in the language of
the same prophet, "The voice of joy
and the voice of gladness, the voice
of them that say, Praise the Lord of
hosts: for the Lord is good; for his
mercy endureth forever: and of them
that bring the sacrifice of praise into
the house of the Lord" When we
see the nations in whose eyes we
were so lately small and dispised, pre-
pairing to assist by their contributions
the celebration of our approaching
Centennial, we must exclaim with the
prophet, in regard to Israel of
old, cliff up thine eyes round
about, and behold: all these gather
themselves together, and come to
thee" "Thou shalt also suck the
milk of the Gentiles, and shalt suck
the breast of Kings" And viewing
the vast preparations which already
prove too narrow, we are reminded of
those other glowing words, enlarge
the place of thy tent, and let them
stretch forth the curtains of thine
hsbitations; spare not, lengthen thy
cords, and strengthen thy stakes
The country which we are permits
ted to call our own, certainly pos,
sesses the possibilities of greatness in
the future. But let US reflect that
this does not render it certain that
true greatness will be realized. We
are destined to a large growth, no
doubt. This is assured by the extent
Of our territory, the fertility of our
soil, the variety and prodactiveness of
our mines, our numerous navigable
lakes and rivers, our long line of sea
board fronting Europe to the east and
Asia to the west, and by population
already ranking with that of the fore
most European states, and daily aug
mented by the incoming of thousands
from the other hemisphere.
That huge mass of humanity is
to accumulate between the Atlantic
and the Pacific by birth and immi-
grafton is beyond question. But our
Immense growth may be but mon
strons deformity. We grant all that
is claimed by the most sanguine en-
thusiast respecting the development
and expansion Of our country, butsve
do insist upon asking, Will this giant
of the future be of shapely proportions
and comely aspect? Will this great
nation be "wse and understanding
people p
First, remark: That if we are
to become truly great as nation, we
must first have correct conception
of national greatness. Aimless en-
deavors in whatever department are
failures. Given the lumber for
house and the labor for its construc-
ton, and the result will not be salts
factory unless you work according to
a plan which combines and harmonizes
the elements of convenience, comfort
and beauty. A great and worthy
character in the individual man was
never formed except by striving to-
wards great and worthy ideal. And
national greatness is not achieved by
bea.hing the air, but by sure aim
and telling blows.
What then is the essential of ma
tional greatness The ready reply
might be: Give us broad lands, rich
in agricultural and mineral resources;
let there be rivers and harbors afford
ing ample facilities for inland and
ocean commerce; let the government
be free, and wealth will fill out vaults
with treasure, and we shall be rich
and great.
But you will see that facts disprove
this theory. Mexico and the South
American republics received these
lavish gifts, and yet they have not
matured their strength some of them
are contemplate for weakness.
In our own immediate vicinity, rich
lead mines appear to produce poor
towns. And in some other parts of
our country, it has been observed that
there was better growth of society
upon sterile hills than upon fat low
land meadows.
This brings us to the truth which
we are seeking: International greatness
is of mind and character. 1t is not of
the land and its productions it is not
OF rivers and oceans and the commo.
dities which they bear upon their
bosom it is not of bank notes, gov
erhment bonds and coin; 1t is not
even in the libraries which store our
| literature the museums which gar
ner the treasures of science ; the gal
leries where art delights and educstes
the eye by beautiful ministery. 1t is
the superior and supreme creation:
of natures Author. II is the founder
and builder of galleries, museums
libraries. 1t is the originator of al
the institutions of civilized society.
The greatness of q nation is in it
men-men generically i. e. men an(
women. If | were to publish an ad
vertisement calling for the thing tina
is most needed, it would read
Wanted MEN
In the department of ststesmenship
men are wanted of ability and integ
rity to guide the State to its CRANE