Abilene weekly reflector., 1897-11-25

with q savage, and, as yet, unknown
people upon their north, south and
west. The early snowfall gave assur-
ance OF long and severe winter, and
the winds soughed dismally through
the tree branches. Yet these Puritans
were a pious as well as brave people,
who were grateful to God for their
safe landing after longnnd 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 CRATE
full 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 bonn distinctively Of a consuming
love for civil as well as religious liberty.
They err who claim that as Il nation we
do not recognize God and His control
ling power over men, collectively as Il
people, ,aswel as individually, Uponour
coins are engraved the words: "ln God
we trust" while every proclamation OF
Thanksgiving recites the blessings we
receive at His hands as well as our duty
of confessing our obligations to Him
Nothing could be more appropriately
expressed than these proclamations,
each in its turn.
Our fathers thus set the fashion OF
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 lie would multiply them
they and the little colony down in Vir-
gima, until within three centuries
there should spring from them the fore
most nation upon the face Of the earth
If the newly-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 n nation OF
peace, not given over to war; that we
are a united people, filled with pur-
pose to make the nation yet more go-
rious; and that the earth yields every
where of Its richness. for the sustcnance
Of the people. They can thank Him be-
cause the wheels Of the factories are
whrllng 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 beautiful, one should find
cause for thanksgiving, because culti-
vation Of these beattudes means ad-
vance in moral and intellectual growth.
There has been deliverants from the
pestilence 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 wronged Of all nations
find a secure habitation, and our coun-
tryishonored by all the countries. Each
person can find cause for gratitude for
personal blessings, and all may unite
in giving thanks in this great national
holiday, a peculiar institution Of this
great people.
WILLIAM ROSSEB c0BBE.