Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1895-11-28

The divine that is in man constantly
seeks after the infinite. Hence among
all peoples there is an universal search
ling after God. AS are the cult and the
morals of the people, SO their idealiza-
tion of the preexistent. All, however,
clothe Him with righteousness and
confess Him to be the supreme almoner
Of the universe. Gratitude Is neither
dead nor asleep and as men receive so
the wells Of thankfulness send forth
bubbling waters whose ripples make
music Of praise. Among Christian ma
tions. where conceptions Of the ALI
Good have reached greatest perfectness,
the lesson of gratitude is most ire
quently taught and most universally
practiced. Long anterior to the birth
Of the American nation the people
were wont at the close of the aftermath
TO set apart day in which to consider
the tender mercies, the boundless love,
the generous hand of God, in order that
their hearts might swell and throb in
responsive touch to His benefcence.
This practice, born amid the rocky
hills of New England, has been per-
petuated annually by nation, which,
above all peoples that have been and
are, has most cause to be glad.
Here indeed do the rocks pour out
rivers of oil, the earth yields marvellous
increase and only the sins and short
comings Of men make possible want or
suffering anywhere. Among this peo-
pie is the greatest personal liberty.
broadcast Interpretation of the rights
Of the individual, highest aspirations
after comforts and luxuries and great
est general faith in the promise and full
tillment of more exalted condition of
universal happiness With this peo-
pie, as with no other people, are greater
diversity of climate, more varied yields
of vegetation and a wider range Of en-
ployment for the masses than is found
anywhere else upon the globe. In this
country men have need to their comfort
to employ less hours for labor and may
devote more time to enjoyment and
pleasure than their fellow-beings in
other lands.
Recalling these superior benefits our
people have cause indeed for gratitude:
not because they enjoy privileges that
would seem to be denied others but for
the reason that their lines are cast in
pleasant places. The grateful heart is
best capable of apprcciating, and he
who remembers his blessings canno.
fail of according praise where praise
belongs. Rctrospecting the year and
its results there are suggestions that
the barns are filed to fairness with gold
en- grain, the wheels of industry whirl
and whirr, the marts of trade are active
with hurrying feet and the hope and
promise Of better things are potent
Remembering his divinity as well as
his mortality; recalling the Provi.
dence that is over all and giveth all, liz
who receives should not fail of CRATE
full heart nor sclfishly measure his own
gifts by those of his neighbor.
There are those who sorrow, because
from the beginning the laughter of the
Joyful has rung out amid the cry OF
hearts made desolatc; but there is the
universal promise Of comfort to the
nourner. At this season of the year
the once green leaves are sered, fallen
upon the ground, betrodden under foot
II man; but the naked trees, through
which the chilly blast Of the west Wild |
now means, shall, with the warming
lays of spring, put on new beauty and
freshness. So the days that are to be
give assurance Of peace to spirits that
may be troubled. The night comes,
but the glad sun is on its course and its
rays will spreaS. ,ife ard light upon ell.
The mortality of man confirms suffer
ng at intervals, but the divine that is |
n him lifts him up out of the depths.
and in the higher life he sees and
adores the beneficent God of all. 1t is
! good thing to remember mercies, to
forget affections and to give thanks to
the All-Giver.
WILLIAM RossER CoBBE.