Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1893-12-01
thank God today.


"First-National recognition.
Second-Social recognition as
an essential factor in good socie-
ty. Society recognizes the christ
ian life as the very basis ofsoclal
security, purity. and good morals.
Third The inspiring out
look. No one can tell what
christianity will accomplish in
the next one hundred years.
There is before us the light of a
new day. The future is with us.
After the defeat of the first Home
Rule Bill by Parliament, Glad
stone uttered these memorable
words You have defeated Home
Rule for Ireland, but, take warn-
ing, the future is against you, and
the future is with Ireland And
so we can say, in the face of
every apparent defect to every
inhdel and to every enemy of the
Kingdom of God, the future IS
against you; the future is with
| Christ.
Third-It is your day for
Thanksgiving. Man, woman,
and child, it is your day. 1t is a
personal matter. 1t is ask d by
some What have l to be thank
full for? The hand of Death has
been laid in my home and by
others MY property has been
swept away; for what have l to be
thankful Look closely, friend.
There is some life somewhere.
only do you find it; only do you
use it. They tell in Europe of a
poor man who was confined for
many years in a dark dungeon.
There was but one aperture IN
the wall, and through that the
sunbeams came but for few mo-
nents daily, making a bright
spot on the opposite side of the
cell. Of Ell and often the lonely
man looked at that little patch of
sunshine, and at length a purpose
to improve it grew in his soul.
Cropping ON the floor of his cell
he found an old rusty nail and
a stone, and with these rude in
struments he set to work on the
white portion of the wall for the
few minutes of every day dur
ing which it was illuminated I'M
til at length succeeded in bring
ing out upon tia rude sculpture
of Christ upon the cross.
Look on the bright side; it is
the right side
Fourth. 1t is the orphans day
The measure of your gratitude is
the measure of your willingness
to make others grateful. Five
hundred orphans in North Caro-
lima are thanking God for this day
in expectancy of what the Christ
ian people shall do for them
Some time ago boy was discov-
cred in the streets, evidently
bright and intelligent, but sick
He was gazing intently at the sky
A gentleman who had the feeling
of kindness strongly developed,
went to him and asked him what
was he'd DING there. "Waiting fer
God to come for me-" said he
| What do you mean? asked the
gentleman, touched by the pathe-
tic tone of the answer and the
condition Of the boy, in whose
eyes and flushed face he saw the
delirum Of fever. God has sent
for father and mother and little
brother" said he, land took them
away to his home up in the sky,
and l am waiting for God to take
me, as mother said he would. He
will come, won't he? Mother
never told a lie" Eyes, my lad, }"
said the gentleman, overcome
with emotion. He has sent me to
take care of YOU" The boy S eyes
flashed, and a smile of triumph
broke over his face as he said
Mother never told lie, sir, but
you have been long time COM
ing"
"Do these orphans think we
are long time coming, and shall
We not come. Shall they wait i'll
vain. God help us to 1nSke this
the orphans day for Thanksgiv-
ing. Thanksgiving, 1898, is soon
to be part of the record you are
making before God. 1t is pas
sing away. Therefore let us say,
Hail, Thanksgiving! Farewell,
Thank S0iviuo "