The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1883-12-08
A THANKSGIVING DAY SERMON
Delivered ut the Synagogue of the Congre-
CATION Bikur Cholim, Donaldsonyillc,
Thursday, November 20, 1888.
BT REV. MAURICE EIsENBERG.

BIZ REV. MAURICE EIsENBERG.
Give thanks unto God for He is good: for
unto eternity endures lis klndness.-Psul,ns,
CVII. I.
We are assembled here this day in the
house of God by request of the Chief Mag
istrate of the United States, to mingle our
thanks, to warble our songs of praise and
expression of heartfelt gratitude with the
multitudinous voices that will this day be
raised to our most gracious benefactor for
the unbounded blessings lie has showered
upon us during the past season. Society,
science and morality inspire us with the
earnest knowledge of the Welghty ODllga-
ton of Thanksgiving.
As a matter Of regard for them that have
favored us, rs an expression OF sincerity, of
gratitude to benefactors, and rs II nanlies-
tution of kindness received and apprecla-
ted, society demands that lawful claim to
express with our lips that which is felt i'll
cur heart.
Science instructs us not to be unminl,ful
of the obligation conferred upon US by our
ueighbors, deaervcdly or not. Wisdom,
that elevated ornament with which wo are
cndowed-the highest pinnacle OF glory to
which mankind tries TO aspire, and seldom
fails if properly nurtllrod-prompts us to
be unerring i'll our dealings with our follow
beings, to reciprocao the friendship and
love OF those who have extended those feel
ings to Us.
Morality teaches as also not to forget
from whence all good things and benevo-
iencaa flow, fl )m where oil sublime and
beneficial sources ananate. 1t reminds
and warns us not to fall into the dangerous
pits of agnosticism, not to be the worship
per5 of our own idols, the admirers of our
own craft, to exalt ourselves by saying Or
entertaining the sheptlcal belief that all
our luxurious enjoyinent3 are due to our
vital energy and wide awake ;tsaidulty. No,
we must ever remember that it Is by the
help of the Most High that we enjoy the
earthly products. and as an incurred debt
we nre in duty bound to render thanks to
Him who causes Us to enjoy life, invigor-
ate5 US with sleep. restores Us to health and
grants our desires.
How much do these simple, old fashioned
words express: II THANH, YOU" Accept
my sincerest thanks Or, " Believe me, l
am not unmindful of your kindness and
generosity" What Il relief to the unSo-
phsticated mind, what Il burden to take Off
ones heart when he expresses to his bene-
factor III words the gratitude he feels for
Il manifestation of humanity
How we would humble ourselves to .lln
that does us favors! How we lake his gen.
erosity to our heart. Nothing can d!55tade
Us from the good opinion we entertain Of
him. How our arrogance is reduced to
chaos. The very person we might before
have looked upon with disdain we behold
now with veneration. We never cease TO
exclaim our heartfelt gratitude, and 1t Is
nothing but right to bless him WHO blesses
us, to love him that loves us, to thank him
who is kind to Us.
I How much more thankful we ought to be
| to our benevolent Father for His continu-
Gus mercy and kindness.
| The blessings OF God will be bestowed
conditionally. If our spiritual gifts were
not conditional, but matters Of course like
the blessings of light. air or water, we
might forget the morciful agency Of God
| in conferring them. Prayer, therefore
tends to humility. Gratitude OF thanks
giving is likewise produced by it il the
same manner, for every blessing received
! in answer to prayer comes to Us as ;
gratuity OF the divine mercy. There Is NJ
virtuous affection with which it is not con
genial. 1t is serene, tra,iquiIiziug, spirit
ualizing. How invigorating it is to tht
spirit to commune with God and retrest
Itself with the light Of his countenance il
the secrecy of prayer at early dawn. befor
committing Itself to the duties and peril
of the day How tranquiiizing III the miGs
Of these cares and perlls to retire at noo]