Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1895-11-28
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The divine tnat Is In man constantly
seeks after the infinite. Hence among
all peoples there is an universal search
ing after God. AS are the cult and the
morals of the people, 30 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 All
Good have reached greatest perfectness,
the lesson Of gratitude is most fre-
quently taught and most universally
practiced. Long anterior to the birth
Of the American nation the people
were won't 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 I'M
responsive touch to His benefcence.'
This practice, born amid the rocky
hills Of New England, has been per-
petuated annually by q 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,
broadest Interpretation of the rights
of the individual, highest aspirations
after comforts and luxuries and great,
est general faith in the promise and full
hllment of a more exalted condition Of
universal happiness. With thia peer
pie, as with no other people, are greater
diversity of climate, more varied yields
OF vegetation and q wider range Of en-,
ployment for the masses than Is found
anywhere else upon the globe. In thfa
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 il
best capable of appreciating, and he
who remembers his blessings cannot
fail of according praise where praise
belongs. Retrospecting the year and
Its results there are suggestions that
the barns are filed to fatness with gold
en- grain, the wheels of industry whirI
and whirr, the marts of trade are nctive
with hurrying feet and the hope and
promise of better things are potent.
Remembering his divinity as wen aa
his mortality; recalling the Provf-
dence that is over all and giveth all, hs
who receives should not fail of q CRATE
ful heart nor selfishly measure his own
gifts by those of his neighbor.
There are those who sorrow, because
from the beginning the laughter of tho
joyful has rung out amid the cry OK
hearts made desolate; but there Is the
universal promise of comfort to the
mourner. At this season of the year
the once green leaves are sered, fallen
upon the pnd-l->--&Sv.---S>r A.-
Of man; but the naked trees, through
which the chilly blast of the west wind
now moans, shall, with the warming
days 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 ita
rays will spread life and light upon all.
The mortality Of man confirms suffer
ing at intervals, but the divine that II
in him lifts him up out of the depths,
and in the higher life he sees and
adores the benefcent God of all. It is
q good thing to remember mercies, to
forget Affections and to give thanks to
the All-Giver.
WILLIAM RossER CoBBE.