The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-11-26


necessaries for the benefit OF she few, and this
by government that confrsses itself gluttcd
with revenues. And then the idea fits getting
into "A stew to discover what to do with lis sur
plus revenue; proposing to remove all tax from
whisky and tobacco as a last resort of relief
from burdensOme pocket-bOok, and never TAX
ing step worth speaking of toward the relief
that common sense and political science alike
point to-begn at the other end and take the
duty off necesSarieS. But, Notwithstanding
neglect and bad legislation, we people are
not in a bad way. We prosper. aside from these.
One hundred years ago Today the British
evacuated the city of New York, and so with
our Thanksgiving we may celebrate the day
which closed on the last scene OF the war for
independence. Revue ewing these one hundred
years, we find occasion, indeed, for thanks
giving This cenfury-what has it not held for
us2 When the colonies gathered up their
strength for the gigantic work that lay before
them-when they laid down their arms they
were only about 3,000,0 200 of soulS-eXhausJed,
poor, without experience in government, with
out precedent; though the heir of all the ages,
yet with scarcely any past OF their
own, and future unknown. Yet with
Gods guidance they succeeded in forming
government, indeed. Of for and
by the people, which can hardly longer be called
an experiment.. Instead of three millions we
are almost three and fifty millions. When New
York was evacuated it was village of $4,000.
To-day. within ten miles of the city hall, live
upwards of 2, 100000 of people. And New York
is an index of the whole couEtry-asi it is it's out
let ana pulse
Forty six years ago several log cabins stood
where now Chicago rears her stately mass Of
airy line Of yesterday. Who among
those who Teiuiced over the evacuation of New
York dreamed that within a hundred years, Il
thousand miles away in the heart of the new
land, a city should arise like Venus from the
sea, that should equal London, Liverpool and
New York together in the tonnage of her port.
The age OF miracles past? No Yesterday, to-
day, and forever the hand OF God is III events.
He is the great history maker. For what we as
n natioH are to-day we thank God. We
thank HIM for such century of
national life; for making wars to cease,
and for the victories of peace for public
schools, for the free press, and everything that
makes for intelligence; for opportunities
open TO the oppressed of nearly every land, for
men to win their bread and more; for pure re-
ligion, and the freedom of conscience in con-
neetion with its doctrines and rites.
We thank God especially for she hold and
progress of Christianity In this country. AS we
pray his kingdom comes. That Kingdom is be-
coming republic of God.
think we usually pass over one thing when
we publicly offer thanksgvings. I mean. the
help that has come to us in our personal fight
with evil. In how many things do we not now
with the year behind us. recognize
the guiding and restraining loving hand of a
father? In how many instances do we not see as
we did not see-having learned to know that
things that appeared good were evil. How
many temptations we can recall. out of which
we were somehow lifted. Now we can see dan
gers aad troubles that came very near to u.s. but
that we went by in Dlissfu ignorance or. ''Under
meath were tile everlasting arms" So IL has
been of work thai we despaired of doing. We
willed can he through hours of gloom fulfilled"
and that mot till the hours of light return, all
we have built do we discern"
Nothing is more prottable nothing helps us
so well to strength for our work and to happi
ness in it as the spirit of thankfunesS. Light
comes of thinking on what good things we have,
and thus exciting the feeling of gratitude in us.
Everyone has something to be thankful for.
There Is not a person here who can walk down
town and not pass some one who Is worse off
than himself and yet smiling. Apply the rule
Of addition. Gather up the things that have
positive sign. Epictetus says: "He is n wise
man who does not grieve for the things which
be has not, but rejoices for those which he has"
Shakespeare touches a common fault thus:
"HaDpy thou art not; for what thou hast not
still thou striyest to GET and what thou hast for
gettest." This is good advice of Marcus Au-
reliuss; "Of the things which thou hast select
the best, and then reflect how eagerly thou
wnuldst seek them if thou hadst them not"
We do not live for Gods glory alone. The serv-
ices that are meet better us, while they please
God. Thanksgiving is profitable. as well
proper. There is action and reaction in il;
sowing and reaping. Let the people praise
Thee, o God. Then shall the earth yield
her increase, and God shall bless u.s." The leper
who returned TO thank the Savior got something
for it, good word, look, and his good opin-
ion, and what IS more he was a better man for
having thanked the Master.
This is rather season in which to think of
what God has done for us than of what we can
do for him. But, TO retain a thangiving frame
OF mind service should go hand in hand
with thanks. Let US offer up n sacrifice of
praise to God continually-that Is, the frnlt of
lips which make confession to His name. But TO
do good and to communicate forget nor; for with
such sacrifices Goo is well pleased" There was
saving remnant of ono IN that eroup of
lepers. Let us reinforce THAT one. We enjoy
more blessings than we count. One is the
home Our commonwealth is a common veal
largely because of its homes. THANKSGIVING
should be especially family festival, and no.
where more so than among us. Our
homes mean much to us-saint and sinner.
Robert Browning says. "GOd be thanked the
meanest of His creatures boasts two sou-sides;
one TO face the world with, and one 10 show
woman when he loves her." How many men
in misfortune could keep up if they had not the
loving confidence of their families TO fall back
upona When all others desert man there ia
some one at home to 20 tO-sone one who SILL
believes in you. Let us no thankful, too, for
friends. Emerson prizes "the good invention
whereby everybody has somebody who is glad
to see him" When you are reduced beyond the
extremity of that somebody who is glad TO see
you it will be time to talk of emitting your
Thanksgiving And even then, lone there ia
ABOVE all others we'll deserves the name of
friend" loving reelection ofthe love of Christ
will prove a true thanksgiving.