New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-11-25
CITING THANKS.

We assign a value to the SuDacluuouS say
ings of the cynics partly because pure ana
unmIxed emotions are rare. The Frenchman
defined gratitude as "a lively sense OF bene-
fits to come" When we read this, we cry
out against such SANDER of human nature;
vet. after all, the maxim is capable OF an
honorable and generous Interpretation. we
recognize in kind deed refutation OF selfish
theories. Why should we not be pleased,
having received help in some hour OF emer-
gency, to feel all the more certainly that, should
we need it, we shall receive it again. One OF the
great blessings of charity Is that it lessons our
distrust of each other; and there is nothing In
the scheme of Christianity which f0rbids our
remembering, as we reverently thank God for
His mercies. that they "endure forever
Here, at least, is no shadow OF change. Here
is an affection which will never grow cold;
here is a hand as universal in its goodness as
it is omnipOtent in its greatness; here Is
Father who will even pity his children In the
future as He has ever pited them in the past;
and why as we thank Him this morning Tor his
good gifts should we not remember that they
will be continued through the eternltiesf We
may well limit our own wOrthiness OF 1t, but
what limit is there to His boundless liberalty
AGAIN. as Heaven loves the cheerful giver
why should it not also love the cheerful re-
ceiver2 BY consent of the world, ingrattude
ranks with the least gracious of the vices ; and
20 thankfulness takes a lively turn and falls
naturally into festivity. We put by for day
the austerities of our faith, the bitter con-
sci0usness of our own unworthness, the mem
DRY of our own shortcomings, the sharp adj
monitions of our better nature dissatisfied
with ITSELF and as we gather TO-
cether around the table of abundance, as
we grasp the friendly hand, and look into the
friendly eyes, and abandon ourselves to lnno-
cent merliment, there comes TO Us foretaste
of that great future. when there VIII be no
more meetings only because there will he no
more partings, and no more rccOnclliations
since there will be no more enmitieS; when
the gospel of peace which is now prophecy
shall be a fulfllment. and good will all
practice and not too much profession.
Upon a day like this, the least thoughtful
is reminded how much he is dependent upon
others, and how little a life of selfish isolation
can accomplish We are as it were forced into
friendliness as a hungry man is compelled to
seek bread We comprehend the poverty oi
the heart which never rejOices. And how
bleared and blinking the eyes are which are
always looking upon the dark SIDE This Is
the day upon which the veriest GROWER
should strike a new balance and recast the per
contra of lifes disagreeable debts Poverty
Well, has he no riches material even, and not
the more maybe, for being metaphoncal!
Failure? But have there been no successes
Friendlessncss7 Are there no friends in
Heaven then, all the better because there
be no quarrel with thcmg Disappointment /!
Bat is there not hope which ia never disap-
noiutpd? Ait if we did but know it, there is
not paupcr i'll the world to-day. No
body is bankrupt except through fool
isl underestimate or mismanagcment of his
own estate. lf his mind is no longer
kingdom, he it is who has overthrow il: If
the face of Nature no more delights him, 1t Is
because he has put out his own eyes, for she
is as kindly as ever; if his life has become
discouraged and DrOftless, it is because his
own hand has neglected to keep order III il
and to take care for its economies. One charm
OF a Thanksgiving Day is that it affords to all
a lesson and demonstration of the possibility
of prosperity. There are hard seasons
and blights and failure OF crops. but
neither frosts nor grasshoppers can prevent a
1
in which nobody il buying and nobody selling
except the sheriff, get the wealth of The world
is steadily enhanced 'Take cOuragew is the
purport OF universal as well of individual
history; and for this and because the general
law of our being is one OF success. doe II
not become us to give humble and hearty
thanlsi
Possibly our small philosophy may be thought
NAL a propos to day devoted to iollity. We
shall he quite content if il be -. Better
that we should lose our labor and prove that
worst of bores. a gratuitous and unnecessary
| mOralist, than that one man should miss the
opportunities and neglect the due Observance
of THANKSGIVING. II is Il pleasing reflection
| that GROWERS and people OF bad appettcs, The
sulkers and the sncereIs, as well ~ those
| thoughtless creatures who - do not care what
4" they eat,r will to-day he in q minority. The
| odds are in favor of universal good time !;
and so, a little altering the slutaii0n of the
| old song we end with Good morning, and
Joy be wi you "a"