Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-11-30
WHY We Should Be Thankful.

Thanksgiving implies things to be thank
full for. but our own conceit and ignorance
make as shortsighted as to the value OF
the blessings we enjoy. The average
man-and for that matter the average
woman-thnks that he gets nothing more
in this world than he Is entitled to, ana
really, that II there could be strictly
iust division OF favors, he would have
more and some OF his neighbors less than
now OF 1.-THE good things" OF the world.
There are more prayers Of solicitation
for additional comforts Of life than or
thankfulness for those comforts which
have been ours from childhood up. Album
dant as are our blessings we want more.
The rich yearn for the laborer's strength,
appetite. and peaceful sleep. The laborer
slghs for the millionaires millions. The
countryman views with envy the apparent
ease with which the city man earns his
livelihood. The city man, after fruitless
struggle for a competence in the crowded
marts Of trade, Graves for the repose
and solid comfort OF rural life.
We are all dissatisfied more or less
Temperament controls us good deal.
but generally speaking each OF us Is
clearly Of the opinion that fortune mas
not treated him quite so kindly as his
deserts demand. poor. blind, ignorant crea-
lures that we are. We are no more TO be
trusted TO determine what Is good or
bad for us than Is the child that plays
about It's mothers knees and begs with
L. md mol
son. and screams with anger or melts into
tears when denied.
Those Of Us who have no spirit of thank
fulness should seek for II, as a bounty
from that Throne where alone 10 is TO
be obtained. Those who have something
Of that spirit should strive TO Increase IT.
II offers the prospect Of much happiness;
II would take from US the sin of ingrat-
tude: 1t would make US consent-which Is
to say, blessed.
We could wish that our national Thanks
glving-Day were all that its name Inn
plies. What country on earth is so mucn
favored; what people so blessed? What
mountains are so grand as ours; what
valleys so fertile; what plains so lovely;
what waters with bosopls so fair for COM
merce or rich with spoil for the Usher
man? Where are there happier homes;
where does industry reap richer rewards;
where is personal worth more highly
valued? We are the envy of the nations.
DO we understand this. do we appreciate
It? Perhaps some do. but we feel sure
that many do not If proper value were
put upon our blessings by all OF us. every
house OF worship in our land would be
crowded to-day 10 overlooking, and pray
ers and songs Of praise would fill the air,
while the poor and distressed would be
sought out and put into a state of mind
in which they, too, could join In the
Thanksgiving.
The first duty Of the day Is Thanksgiv-
ing, and this may be acceptably dis
charged in many ways-in church, at
home or elsewhere. 1t is the spirit not
the form, that counts This duty done.
what better day could there be for meet
ing and greeting friends; for walks or
drives, or other exercises in the open air;
for the robust fun Of the football game,
or the quiet stroll, with gun on shoulder
and dog by side?
1t is all the better for us that the day
comes in the Indian summer. when "a
cold snap" has taught US TO enjoy mild
weathers farewell, aud when smoke. like
cloud fills the sky. and falling leaves
falter through motionless air.