Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1878-11-29

We have little disposition, on the day be-
fore our time-honored New England festival,
when thousands Of happy faces are turned
toward the dear old country homes, to read
our readers a lesson on the duty of being
| thankful, whether in general way or for
! special mercies, to point out to them that in
the hardest lot in life there are many reasons
for sincere thanksgiving or to remind them
that the greatest blessings of our lives are
those which, from their very commences
RndSlnfailing bestowal, we oftenest forget.
Our SUGGESTION is rather as to whether we
may not with good reason make the day this
year, moro than in any recent preceding one,
festival after the spirit in which it was or
dained by the fathers-a genuine Thanksgiv-
ing for IN abundant harvest and for condi-
ton of affairs in which, If there is no cause
for special exultation, there is at least no oc-
casion for droary apprehension of trouble to
come. Five years ago the panic and the
"hard times seized the country, and for the
four years which followed, while all property
values were steadily shrinking, while the
great mass of unsoundness in business was
being rooted out, and all the material inter
ests Of the country were being reduced to a
solid and substantial basis, it is not to be de-
MED that there We're very many, even in So
called comfortable circumstances. who
hardly dared to look the future squarely in
the face, or to predict at one years end what
the condition of their worldly affairs might
be when another twelvemonth came around
A year ago now we all believed. and with
good reason, that the times had reached
their worst, though we could not quite say
that tho hard times were over or that the
good times had really come. But some
how, as the seasons have rolled round, as
secdtime and summer and harvest have again
proved propitious, and another years boun-
tiful crops have been gathered a more cheer
full, hopeful and self-reliant spirit has crept
in, and though we may not be able to tell
just why or how, we have begun to realize
that we are once more on the upward track
Not that any of MS are looking or hoping to
see things again going with rush, with
money plenty, and expenditures free and Law
ISL, for we have long since learned that such
a condition Of affairs is unhealthful and. in
the end, ruinous. But what We have come
to realize and feel sure Of is that honest
and well -directed effort in a legitimate calling
is pretty sure TO reap for him who puts it
forth at least the comforts of life and an as
surance that he need dread no special blight
on his prospects in the future. In place of
the old.tme forebodng and anxiety, the far
ner, if he be prudent and energetic, ouce
more feels comfortable certainty that, as
this years sowing and tillng and reaping have
brought him generous sustenance for his
family, so will next years round of labor
bring him like return the tradesman, il
his affairs be ON business-hke basis, looks
with reasonable assurance for a fair return on
the money and time invested, and the work
man has no reason TO anticipate other than a
steady demand and Giving" compensation
for the labor which he has to sell. That
there should not be individual exceptions to
this general rule is impossible, but that the
general feeling throughout the country is
hopeful and buoyant, as compared with the
depression and solicitude which have existed
in recent years, cannot be denied.
The man with health and strength, and a
disposition for honest work, need no longer
scrimp his expcndturesto the very last penny
in anxious dread lest some future sudden
crash may deprive him of his all, and the
family with home roof to cover it, and a fair
chance in the world, need not deprive itself of
everything beyond the bare necessities of life
"A gift to a friend, a book for winter eve
nings, newspaper or magazine for weekly
or monthly reading, or some coveted house
hold improyement-on the plea that there is
no knowing what another season may bring
forth The time is rather one when each and
all may settle down to a reasonable enjoyment
of their worldly possessions and the fruits of
their daily or yearly labors, with a calm and
well-grouuded confidence in the future, and
with no fear Of some possible calamity, the
outgrowth Of adverse times, which shall take
from them their all.
Our ndmonition for the day, then, is for the
cultivation and enjoyment of a cheerful, hope
full courageous and genuine spirit of Thanks
giying-and having thus furnished the text,
we leave it for the congregation to each fill
out the sermon as may best suit his or her
individual needs