The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1896-11-27
ALAYMAN's THANKSGIVING.

LAYMAN's THANKSGIVING.
Oh, great Architect Of the infinite.
to whom thousand years are as a
day, we cphemeral, vanishing crea-
lures bow before Thee in quiet, hum
bic thanks.
For immcasurablc space, so exten-
sive that the most cunning devices OF
men turn us back defeated from all at.
tempts to set its bounds: for the
weight Of our world and OF all the
other w0ndrous, unsupported, circling
bodies, so p0ndcrous that the human
mind reels in computation, we thank
Thee, Thou art power.
For the accurate movement OF each
star, revolving in its orbit with pre-
cision indcscribablc; for the visible
voice OF the heavens, our perennial
time-picce: for the inclination OF the
axis OF our world, so cunningly devised
to give comfort and advantage in the
changing seasons and the brOadcned
area of habitation, we thank Thee,
Thou who art order.
Oh, thou Mechanic Of the infinitcsi-
NAL we who are not least OF all Thy
creatures enter Thy presence with
praise.
For the perfect detail in the short
lived gnat, dancing in the light Of the
dying day; for the structural adapta-
tion of those creatures that escape
our vision save as the eyes are aided
by the microscope; for the pervasivc-
ness of life, or things that live; for
the evasiyeness OF life, so that after
all research VIC give up foilcd in
every attempt to find natural origin
for life in the tiniest atom: FOR all
these things we thank Thee, Thou
who art life.
For our own bodies. sacred because
they are Thy handiwork, so brief in
their endurance and yct 50 potential
because OF the blessing or sorrow we
pass to those who come after us; for
our brains and their power to set us
on the apex of all living things; for
thought and its products in solid
form that are seen in every direction
for the challenge to effort that comes
from the elusive secrets of nature; foI
the power to conquer and transform
this inert world beneath our feet, We
thank Thee, Thou who art supreme
intelligence.
| Oh. thou Mind OF the universe, wt
who detect in ourselves frec-will ant
an individual consciousness that sepa
rates us from the beasts and gives us
sense Of kinship with Thee, approach
Thee with assurance.
For the protest Of the human mlnt
against the claim of any human knowl
edge to be final and complete; for al
honest doubt that drives us steadll.
forward to clearer comprehension: 10
the great scientists who have helpc'
r to shake the dead husks from creed
, and opened the eyes Of their maker
and preachers to a fuller religion
wherein the unity and compreler
sivcness OF Thy plan for onward move
ment, both in nature and revelation
n are more fully realized, we than
Q Thee. Thou who art not far from an
one OF us.
o For all passing away OF forms an
3 ceremonies; for the universal rxccr;
tion of hollow PhariSaism, for III
=. growing understanding that sanctit
If is never more to be measured by mel
attendance at worship; for the spiri
'e ual and material progress of our rac'
s. for Thy stately stcppings in huma
81 history, making life seem no longer
thing of chance but the possible ope
X Ing notes of a grand eternal symptom
'" we thank Thee, Thou who dwclle
not in temples made with hands.
:, For all sorrows that break down o
- =, dissatisfaction; for the furnace
n affection that destroys the dross al
makes Of the residue Il golden chali
for bcoring solace to our fellows; I
:. all agony that touches us with t
y feeling OF others inhrmitles;
thank Thee, though Thou afflict
sore, bending over us as Il tIyer a
NJ os reflncr OF precious things.
g. For all great disasters that clectr
us with the feeling OF brotherhood
all men; the famines and pestiicn'
!. that turn us for the time from
~ rakrngs OF selfshncss to the works
.ts sympathy; for sudden death and
warnings that eur own time Is u