The morning call., 1894-11-29
Moons Phases.
THANKSGIVING DAY.

In accordance with a good old New
England custom, which has now spread all
over the United States, "Thanksgiving"
will be duly observed to-day. What, &C.
cOrding to tradition, was originally set
apart as day of feasting and prayer has
become a day of feasting and thanks
giving. and as it is we'll TO show gratitude
while enjoying our blessings, it is well 10
meet Thanksgiving day in due form. The
church service in the morning emphasizes
the religious sentiment in which the OBJ
servance of the day origin ated. The
family reunions later in the day are the
appropriate social feature of the occasion.
This year Thanksgiving day has not
been heralded in all cases with quite the
customary enthusiasm. This is of course
due TO the business depression which still
continues in a measure. Yet when we
come to consider the situation in all its
bearings ii becomes al once evident that
we have great deal to be thankful for.
To begin with one Of the most important
features of Thanksgiving day if times are
still hard, turkeys are cheap. That may
be small consolation to the man who
raised them, but it is matter of congratu-
laiion for those who eat them. That NAV
cranberries are scarce aud high, but we
are looking now for the best side of things.
80 also, If, as before remarked, times are
sill hard, they are not as threatening as
they were year ago. II our people ate
turkey and pium-pudding and gave thanks
then, they have more reason to do so now.
Ana one of the best reasons why they
should do SO is that recent events have
fDF Tof INN 4
people. They cannot look forward TO any
great business boom for some time to come,
but at least they can congratulate them
selves that the worst is over, the danger
point has been passed. Ii times are not
good they may at least give thanks that
they are no worse and are likely to be
better.
There is also some ground for congratu-
lation that in many of the great cities Of
the United States there has come an awak-
ening sense of civic duty, which, in sew
eral instances, has taken definite shape
and secured more or less important results.
That we are beginning to do our duty as
Citizens more cOnscientiously and effec-
lively Is surely matter of thanksgiving.
Ii the evils, business, political or social,
which have pressed upon us in the past
have caused US to earnestly seek remedies
therefor, we may properly return thanks
for the good purposes that have been
aroused in US, and pray that they may
prove steadfast and faithful.
As regards purely material matters the
year past has been one of trial and anxietv
but wlthal it has fairly rewarded indus
try. There IS an abundance of the SUBJ
stantial comforts of life, though probably
the distribution is not so even as it might
be. In this State we have very little COM
plant TO urge against nature. The earth
quakes and foods and tornados that have
devastated good many other countries
have passed US by. This is one of ,be
conditions Of life in which we are relatively
better off than the average of people. We
feel little OF the apprehension of disaster
which is constant source of unhappiness
to so many. We accept these exec ptions
from the ordinary vicissitudes of life as
something that we have inherited. We
look upon them as something which ma.
ture owes US. There is one source of hap
piness which is in the reach of all. We
can blend desire to better our condition
with appreciation of what we possess
People are born with different dispositions
Dut also with the power to mold thoughts
and impulses to promote ones welfare.
In late years the Thanksgiving takes o.
more and more the habit of giving some
thing besides thanks. The movements in
various ways to provide the unfortunate
with the good things of life bring into
view the bright side of human nature.
While no one need wait for THANKSGIVING
day to Join in these movements the coming
OF that day is reminder of what NAV be-
done.