The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1897-11-25

WI ~ 6AANNA Us - 4AhIGHF
"oi all the creatures both in sea and
land.
Thy ways.
And put the pen alone into his hand,
And made him secretary of Thy
praise"
Man admits his existence and re-
ioices In the fact that he has no earthly
equal, He admits also that he does not
exist by his own inherent power, but is
the result OF a Great First Cause, And.
while men differ 10 regard to mans ori-
gin, countless millions OF the past and
present rest comfortably In the literal
mosaic description OF mans creation, a
few such as Prof. +. G. ConkiIn prefer
TO believe In evolution and exult in the
theory that mar has taken the degrees
OF the Ape and the Monkey and arriv-
ed at the exalted position OF manhood.
Bnt, however. men may differ about
the c~ontroverted doctrines OF theology.
the fact remains that man is here and
life Is real and for whatever that life
is worth Is a debtor, not only for
his existence. but for his blessings, priv
ileges and future possibilities.
The commonest principles Of grail
tude demand an expression OF thank
fulnsss, when the obligation is accept
ed. Plato, looking through natures
glasses thanked God for three things
First, that God created him n man and
not a beast; secondly. that he was born
a Grecian, and not q barbarian; third
iy. that, not only so, but a philosopher
also. But the Christian gives thanks
for his creation and the character there
OF. for the plan OF salvation and that It
Is FOR all and attainable by all; for the
blessed assurances Of a present full and
eternal victory over every foe.
Genuine thanksgiving then, Is not
based on a bountlful harvest, or a pros
porous year IN business. or the victory
Of a political party. This kind OF
Thanksgiving Is good as far as Ii ex-
tends. but this Is only the base upon
which mar deals with his fellowman
for favors shown. The true principle OF
gratitude TO God IS broader and higher
thar this and requires thanks for all
things and at all times. That special
days and seasons should he set anort
90 this purpose few will question. Both
the church and the state should formu-
late laws and plans for the proper and
regular observance OF such services and
Insist upon n compliance with them In
public and IN private life. IT is n graf
flying fact to every patriotic Christian
that "our Native Land has publicly
recognized the claims Of Jehovah since
October i2. 1892, the day Christopher
Columbus knelt on the shore % San
Salvador and claimed the new world
for Spain in the name OF Christ. The
recognition has been quite feeble and
irregular, It is true, but as the nation
al stream flowed on with increasing We
locity and influence the monumental
lights sparkled with historical import
ance.
Behold the light at jamestown. Va,
as lighted by the Lord: that OF New
ENGLAND as turned on BY the Puritaus
in 1921. when they kept the holy Sab
bath on their vessels in sight OF the
land they sought and vet too loyal TO
God TO so much as set their feet on the
shore on that dav. Behold their fast
turned TO a feast in 1899. Then take no.
tice OF the first proclamation on the
subject by the governor of New York.
in the same year and made 10 shine
more brightly In 1874.
The number and Intensity OF these
lights Increased with the national
struggle for independence, The FIST
provincial congress at Concord aud the
Continental Congress at PHILADELPHIA,
sent still brighter rays Of Thanksgiving
lights. The recognition OF God In the
Continental Congress, July 20, i1I5, In
answer 10 the demand OK Benjamin
Franklin. and the more brilliant rays
OF the same assembl1ge for peace In
1884. are worthy OF consideration by our
legislative bodies, as well as students
Of history.
AS the national stream flowed on In
Its u~nrivalled glory and conquest. ma
tIonal gratitude called for an express
ion. md the irst proclamation for the
nation 10 halt and recognize Gods
claims was sent out In 1889. II Will be
remembered. however, that this was n
limited and encountered national
ibnnksElvinu. ana Il was not until In
1854. that this nation was lighted from
sea to sea and recognized the Lord by n
uniform day in all the states and hon
ored Him by a days Observance In the
true motto OF our nation, ne plurlbus
unum.l' For thirtg-thre years this has
been continued "a the letter. II not in
the spirit OF the law.
Lord God Of Hosts, be with US yet.
Lest we farget-lest we fotCctl'