The Mena weekly star., 1897-11-24

with a savage, and, as yet, unknown people upon their north, south and west. The early snowfall gave assur- ance of a long and severe winter, and the winds soughed dismally through the tree branches. Yet these Puritans were pious as we'll as brave people, who were grateful to God for their safe landing after long and boisterous voyage, and they were especially pleased that, though the country was bleak and bare, their industry should convert the forests into fertile fields, which each returning year would yield rich har vests of golden grain.
 Before all, however, they were grate- ful that in this new world they could worship God as they pleased, without fear of social prescription, stripes, stocks or the gaol. Thanksgiving day was born distinctively of consuming love for civil as well as religious liberty. They err who claim that as nation we do not recognize God and His control ling power over men, collectively as a people, as we'll as individually. Uponour coins are engraved the words: Tn God we trust" while every proclamation of Thanksgiving recites the blessings we receive at His hands as we'll as our duty of confessing our obligations to Him Nothing could be more appropriately expressed than these proclamations each in it's turn.
 ntx fa4ha~o +hpo fAa faohsnx Al commemorating the duty and obliga tion resting upon men. But they could not possibly grasp the thought how in blessing, He could bless them, and in multiplying He would multiply them they and the little colony down in Vir. ginia, until within three centuries there should spring from them the fore. most nation upon the face of the earth. If the newly y-arrived Pilgrims could find occasion for fortitude, assuredly their descendants, with all other Americans, may do so with fervent hearts, moved of joy, because of the infinitely superior blessings which rest upon them. They can thank God that this is a nation of peace, not given over to war; that we are united people, flied with pur- pose to make the nation yet more gic. rious; and that the earth yields every where of its richness, for the sustenance of the people. They can thank Him be- cause the wheels of the factories are whirling and that the marts of trade are crowded; for the jealousy with which our schools are guarded and for healthful moral influences that are everywhere extending. They can bless Him for homes that are happy and that their indwellers have none to molest or make them afraid For advance in art in music and all the material things in the world Deautiful, one should find cause for thanksgiving, because culti- vation of these beatitudes means ad- vance in moral and intellectual growth. There has been deliyeransa from the pestllence that stalked at monday and from the storms that make desolate the habitations of man. No great public wrongs remain to be redressed, the poor are not oppressed and the fatherless and the widow have found friends. Herein do the wrorged of all nations iind 2 secure habitation, and our coun- try honored by all the countries. Each person can find cause for gratitude fol personal blessings, and all may unite in giving thanks in this great national holiday, a peeuliar institution of this great people.
 WILLIAM RossER COBBE