Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-11-26
TIL .NKsGFyIyG-DAY.

with the southern people. as a rule,
the custom of keeping Thanksgiving-Day
has until late years been more honored
IN the breach than in the observance,
and even now the observance is by no
means universal with us. However, the
custom continues to grow steadily, and
IL is well that this is the case. Regard
ed merely as a holiday, pure and SIM
ple-an interval of cessation from bust
ness-it is good for us that we should
recognize the day. In this era of bust
ness stress and strain and Of high
pressure in every vocation all holidays.
all respites from labor. are boons to both
mind and body, and those who can and
do not avail themselves Of the opportu-
nifty to take these respites work injus-
tice to themselves and to all dependent
upon them
Regarding Thanksgiving-D in what
we may call its spiritual aspect, there
IS still more reason why We should OBJ
serve IT, Dependent upon the point Of
view, there is good deal of diversity
of opinion as to several Of the things
that have been termed the national
blessings of the past year, and we may
not agree fully with the President and
the Governors OF some Of the States on
this point. Nevertheless, as nation,
we have much to be thankful for and
the majority of US, as individuals, have
still more that should move US to give
thanks. All of us have had our troubles
Of n n had lrqnn
disappointment and poignant sorrows;
others of us have seen fond ambition
wrecked. and entertained cherished hopes
that but allured TO fly; but few there
are. indeed, that have not been the reci-
pient Of some blessing.
The year has been one Of great bust
tess uncertainty and anxiety. 1t has
been a year of continued industrial de-
preston. and, consequently Of lack OF
steady employment for thousands. We
arc now told that the sun Of prosperity
is about TO shine again. and it is not
10 be denied that there is promise of
business and industrial revival. Whether
this revival will be permanent we know
not. We earnestly hope it will be. But,
IN any event, We AliNt % a lFDHAN ANfhoDiA
10 be thankful for the strength that was
given us TO pass so well through the
ordeal to which we have been subjected.
There are more ways-ways acceptable
to Him-of giving thanks than that OF
bending the knee and lifting the voice in
prayer. There is the thanksgiving OF
faith that, howsoever dark may be the
r.tfkrf ~
business matters, or as nation, He hath
the power 10. and in His own good
time will. lead us TO the light. There IS
the Thanksgiving of contentment with our
lot, which brings it's own peace of mind
and magnifies the smallest blessings be-
slowed upon us; and there is the thanks
giving Of hope that stimulates us TO meet
adversely bravely, keep our faces TO the
morning, and under Him make the very
obstacles we encounter our handmaidens
An working out a noble destiny.
And last, but not least, there is the
Thanksgiving Of practical individual chari-
~ which, least Of all, He Will despise--
the thanksgiving that finds expression in
mlnistering to and helping those about as
VINO arc less lOINui4dNc lh"h W. NH'
poor are always with us, and in no way
can we better recognize the spirit OF
thanksgiving than by relieving their ne
cessities and carrying brightness into
their homes and lives. In every abode oi
poverty and suffering lie has. erected an
altar in order that those blessed with an
abundance Of this worlds goods may ado
10 their temporal spiritual blessings, by
placing thank-offering thereon. Know
ing these things. therefore. it behooves us,
D. both as a people and as individuals. TO OBJ
serve the day by humbly and deyoutly
recognizing the blessings vouchsafed tc
us In the past. by improving the present
and by holding to a steadfast faith In
the future.
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Il-I..