The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1894-12-20

fasting was changed into Gay Oh
feasting and thanksgiving to God for
His merciful deliverance. The day
thus established continued to be OBJ
served in New England, and later IN
most of the northern states, until IN
1862, President Lincoln appointed
national Thanksgiving day. And SO,
each succeeding year the president OF
the United States issues his Thanks
giving proclamation, in which the
peOple are asked to assemble in their
several places Of worship, to render
thanks unto God for his bOuntlful /
care and blessings. But what have we
today to give thanks for? Are we not
in a condition somewhat similar to
that of Israel tWenty-four centuries
ago? A paralysis on all business; So
cial and political doubts and disturb
ances: labor and capital at war: cor
ruption and vice; falling away III
religion. as many believe; hunger ana
nakedness: want and distress every
where. Has not God forgotten US,
cast us off?
From every quarter come cries or
fear and doubt and of evil forebod-
ings. It will do us good now, it will
calm our fears and strengthen our
faith. if we can believe. that God has
craven this nation on the palms OF
both His hands. Not as she was III
those good days we think; not as
she was yesterday, or as she is today,
or shall be tomorrow, but as she shall
he when God has finished His work
- upon her, and for her. Have we now
anv indications that God has craven
America on the palms of his hands
1 think we have.
, We have first, the land itself
Consider its size and location. one
= single fact will give us an idea OF lt'
MAGNITUDE. The population OF tht
entire world might be put into th'
state of Texas. and there would b'
less than seven persons to an acre
at We are separated by a thousan'
leagues of water from any great ma
ton, Our territory embraces al
climates. Our soil produces almos
'"0 all the various fruits, breadstutfs, an
clothing material the world uses
yer We have forests of timber; mines Q
ath coal and iron inexhaustible; of coppe
or of silver and of gold; oceans wash ou
les. shores on the east, the south and tn
ing west: the great Lakes and the st. Law
for renee carry the produce OF the mort
Be central parts to the sea; mighty rive
the bring our inland cities to the coas
;om Tt is a land flowing, not only wit
ere milk and honey. but with every bles
the ing God through nature could hes
eep upon it. Who can doubt that G(
n in intended this land to be the home
ally great nation, working out one of Il
en- great problems of the race?
anne But consider further: That tn
J., as land lay idle, unknown until just tn
@ precise moment when the seed w
at ready for sowing upon its soil.
eas- the devout mind it was more than
her. accident that Columbus set his sa
ater. westward at the very time VIII
will Europe must have new home for
Be- child that had been born after the trs
the all of thousand years. 1t was m(
the than an accident that turned the pr
m as of the Spanish fleet toward the sou
n as ern continent, and the Dutch and E1
His lish. toward the northern. God v
her. keeping this land for a new a
n on chosen race.
afore But now consider the seed that v
her. planted here. Who were these p
pie that first sought home on tn
) pe- shores? Adventures free-boote
ional were they fleeing from Justice?
They were the sifted seed of
very world. Men and women, with fa1
is as it is true, but men and women ne'
Rock. theless, whose equals this world
fol- never seen. They came seeking,
IS re- wealth or glory, but place WI
want, they might worship God in freed
Isting The Pilgrims at Plymoth, the Qe
previ- ers at Philadelphia, Roger Willi
sions, at Providence, Lord Baltimore
ay of Maryland, the Hugenots in Carol