Los Angeles herald., 1891-11-27

| which Is continually sending forth
streams OF gladness, fertilizing and
beautifying the otherwise arid fields OF
human occupancy"
Cheerfulness, helpfulness and the en-
thusiasm of high endeavor are the
daughters OF gratitude.
The memory that is continually filled
with the warm pulsations OF grateful
recollections will be invited to patient
continuance in well doing, and in all
circumstances, bright or dark, will
cleave and cling to the Infinite Lover,
and disposer of all things. A daily
recognition OF the divine power in its
normal sovereignty over the affairs of
men, filial acknowledgement Of bene-
| fits received from our Heavenly Father,
and hearty reliance in the wisdom and
benignity Of that providence which is
over all impart strength, comfort and
peace that "passeth all understanding"
A good mans trust is the certain
pledge of complete victory in the end
over all senmities and hindrances and
the gratitude seasons all his experien-
ces of whatever sort, with joy that
giveth songs in the deepest sorrow.
Thankfulness exalts its possess0rs into
fellowship with Him from whom COM
eth ''every good and every perfect gift"
1t is also that act of homage which is
due the Divine BeneRctor from all peo-
pie, particularly his own dear children.
1t will not do for us to flatter ourselves
that when this day is gone we are not to
concern ourselves about gratitude. to
God. Every day brings new blessings
to us from Gods beneficent hand and
for all these new hymns of praise
chn,,ld Iosl ~ fo Iohoxyoh
We should also be thankful for this
day because of it's elev ating and Christ
ianizing influences, and, as long as the
national Thanksgiving day isa matter of
national and state proclamation and OF
general observance we need not despair
of the religious character of the ma
ton. We cannot but recognize the
elevating and Christianizing influence
of the day. We do not mean by this
that it stands on an equality with the
Lords day, and yet we are glad to rec
ognize it's heathful influence in this di-
rection. 1t is certainly grand thought
that the eyes of whole nation are
turned in this manner, once every year,
to Him who is our best benefactor, and
when invited to remember Him with
grateful hearts in their prayers, praises
and in the bestowment OF their charities
for the help of the needy.
There is no way apparently that God
is brought so prominently before the
whole nation as by the national Thanks
giving proclamation. It comes directly
from the chief ruler of the nation; it is
published in almost every secular paper
in the land, and in all the religious
journals, and in this manner is brought
directly before the minds of every reader
and Immediately arrests the attention
of the entire nation. We may 60 even
further and say that every proclamation
of the chief magistrate which acknowl-
edges our indebtedness as people to
the Almighty for continued favors, is
decided rebuke to, if not check
upon that materialism which
claims "that the universe is only vast
machine, and that its operationsVare not
the result of intelligent design"
The very fact that from millions of
hearts throughout our land there rolls
heavenward this day "that song of glad
consent" which bears to the ear of the
Almighty the swelling notes OF praise
and thanksgiving, is a matter for pro-
foundest gratitude. 1t thrills the heart
to know that in mansion and cottage, in
"the lofty church edifce" and in the
'srural meeting house," there is but one
theme engaging every mind and one
song of praise uttered by every voice,
and that theme and that song have been
inspired by means of this day of Thanks
giving.
1t is true there are other days of Pc
culiar interest to the people of this ma
ton. The Fourth of July carries us
back in thought to the day of the ma
tion's birth, and keeps fresh in our
memories the days of heroic struggles
for liberty and independence.
The 22d of February commentaries
the life of the republics first, and one,
if not the noblest, OF it's leaders, for even
at this distant day we have not ceased
to love and respect the name OF Wash
ington, who was the agent in the hands
OF God in securing to US heritage OF
liberty which is priceless in value.
There is also the 30th OF May, sad,
sorrowiul day, which we, perhaps, have
not learned to appreciate as much as
some others, because it reminds US OF
pain and suffering and death, and
brings fresh tears to our eyes as we
strew the graves of our noble dead with
sweet flowers as tokens of our remem-
brance and love.
But OIL all the LANDMARKS, CueIo lS HUI
one that expresses more truly the past
history of our nation than the national
Thanksgiving. There is not one SO ele-
waiting and Christianizing as the last
Thursday OF November, for while it is
true that the Fourth of July speaks of a
time when the republic came into ex-
istence, and the 22d of February COM
memorates the birth OF one who led the
nations armies to victory and became
its first ruler, and the 30th OF May
marks q period in our history 80 sad
and sorrowful, yet so prophetic OF joy
and prosperity, still, behind all these,
| there lies force without which these
interesting records would never have
been known.
What then is that force which lies
back OF all these, which gives the nation
| such vigor and strength?
Is it her broad and extensive terri
tory or princely wealth?
Is it what nature has done for us in
beautifying and strengthening our po-
sition?
It it our armies or navies, or the mum
Der of our citizens? 1t it our schools
and colleges or our development and
progress in the arts and sciences?
No! Not necessarily in any one or al
of these things. 1t might have all these
things. 1t might have all these and yet
be weak without this force. Back of al
that which is material and intellectual
| tharo ie God the makar prasarvar an(