The Washington critic., 1885-11-25
THANK SEWING.

THANKSGIVING
1t is meet and proper that we give
ihanks-not only because the President
of this great and glorious Republic, in
Difference to a custom Of old and re.
spectacle origin, has set apart a day
for the purpose, but for the further
reason that in this work-day world of
ours, the human heart grows lean and
sordid without an occasion now and
then to rest from its feyered pulsations
and beat responsive music to the
melodies Of good fellowship and the
orisons of hearth and home.
The heart, like the lungs, needs ex.
pansion, and nothing Is so well suited
10 expand it, as n grateful, loving
spirit, moved by sense of obligation
10 an ofrertory Of praise. Therefore
the wisdom of holiday that reminds
us by reyerent tradition and executive
proclamation, of duty that, however
rich or poor, we all owe to ourselves
and TO the Divine patience that so
generously cares for our wants and
mercifully puts up with our infrmities.
The Americans have none too many
holidays. It were better that the al
lowance were increased than decreased.
But this is day worthy, Of all others,
to be kept for the diffusive warmth and
domesticity Of its associations, and
though not as yet of universal observ'
ance, the time will come when this
child of bleak New England winter,
born of privation and Graded in the
SHOWS, shall be adopted into the great
family of festivals and the broad sister.
hood of all the States.
1t borders upon impiety to say that
we have nothing to be thankful for.
Badly off as we may be, scanty though
our resources, bitter our disappoint-
ments, profound our grief and blighted
our hopes far Off as still may seem the
realization of our day-dreams and un-
slaked the thirst of our ambition-we
have yet to be thankful that things are
no worse. There are degrees of misery
beyond, from which we enjoy exemp-
tion.
Let us be thankful, then, and in hon
oring the request Of the President,
honor the memories of those who have
given thanks before us, and bind closer
the affections of those who give thanks
with us. 1t will do the people good
=. even II but once a year--to demonstrate
that the kindly virtues clustering
around old fresides and hallowing the
remembrance of old friends, are not
cold ashes, but living embers in their
hearts
But il must be borne in mind that
gratitude is but another form of selfish
ness If it be not coupled with emotions
of sympathy and pity for those less for.
tunately circumstanced than ourselves,
Were all of us to do our neighborly
duty in this respect, the Grand Army
of Thanks Givers would swell to O
mighty host and gladness perch on
every roof-tree.
In the midst of the festivities of this
time-honored season, let each do what
he may, while thankfully enjoying his
own blessings, to give the pinched lit
lie children in that comfortless tene
ment near by, the wan-faced mother
who is fighting the wolf away from the
door of the hovel over yonder, and
even the homeless beggar. the window
of whose soul are grimy and cob
webbed, something substantial to b,
thankful for.
The sound of the church bells sum
moning well-fed worshipers to songs o
praise is music to the ear, but it kindle
no fire on the cold hearth of poverty
A stroll through the markets teemin!
with good cheer is pleasant to the eye
but the sight alone is thin diet for
hungry stomach. The proclamation o
the President is good reading for all
but it warns no fingers and covers N,
rags. From all which 1t is to be hopet
the readers of THE CRITIC may deduc
wholesome moral and an open
handed, big-hearted inspiration. A
Charity is said to cover n multitude o
sins, so Gratitude may cover q multi
tude of charities.