The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-12-01
them during the nrst 10 months on Inc

them during the first 10 months on the
| unacceptable New England shore.
To-day 100000 of American sub
| jeets on this continent, in distant lands
| and the isles, OF the sea, acknowledge
in some way or other the mercies of
heaven in accordance with the procla-
nation of our chief magistrate.
How marvellous the growth! To-
| day, as then. however, the spirit of
the occasion is the same. The change
is external. The circumstances are
| different, but the same impulse per-
petuates the day which originated it.
| Then, as now, it was both social and
religious in character. The little band
Of a hundred or more, seeking !:hartI
and the privilege Of worshiping God
| free from restriction, having landed
upon a rock-bound shore. suffered the
loss of as of their number before the
first year was gone.
1.-THE rigors of winter and the scare
ity of food had wrought havoc in their
| midst, yet in the face of these mis-
fortunes those sturdy, God-fearing
men and women still could recognize
many blessings as from the hand OF
| God.
Let us thank God anew to-day for
the character of the founders of this
great nation, who, amidst untold periis
and sufferings, could hold on to the
altar of God and with grateful hearts
sing His praises through it all. There
was little skepticism there, little in
fidelity there: They believed IN tns
Father of all mercies, and practlced
in daily life what they professed in
creed.
I'VE have much more for which to
thank our heavenly Father to-day. Yet
We're it not for the firm reliance upon
Jehovah which we as people have ever
felt this day Of Thanksgiving could have
o,ctlx oct IN he n
ing interests and clashing arms which
has marked our history. We say, then,
thanks be unto God for the same spirit
prevailing throughout this great ma
ton to-day which prevailed in the days
Of our fathers.
Il said Thanksgiving day was both
social and religious in the beginning.
The people gathered together to &C
knowledge the benefits and sing praise
unto the God of hosts; but they also
proclaimed it a time of feasting and
social joy. The friendly Indians were
invited to partake of the bounties OF
nature with them, and there about the
open fireplace of his white brother the
half savage inhabitant Of the forest
drank of the warmth of human hcSpl-
tality.
80 to-day, as in the great feasts Of
Israel in olden time. should the people
place the proper physical enjoyments
dioHSSiue the SPIRITUAL, anu Willie We
gather in places of worship, acknowl-
edging that every good and perfect gift
cometh from the Father. it is eminently
proper that we also invite our children,
our friends and our neighbors to our
tiresides, thus expressing gratitude for,
and heartily enjoying the bounties of,
| nature, as God would ever have His
children do.
Let us eat the fat and drink the
sweet in the spirit of genuine hospi-
tality, thereby cementing the stronger
those bonds of kindred and of friend
ship which unite in the hottest rela-
tons Of life.
Il wish to speak also Of the effects Of
gratitude upon the human heart. These
expressions must be we'll pleasing to
our heavenly Father, not only because
of the recognition of His hand in hui
man affairs, but more because of the
reactionary effect upon us. There is
nothing that so deepens, broadens and
heightens human life as gratitude
There is nothing that so narrows, with
ers and blights as selfish silence or
stolid Indifference. The one develops
the noblest manhood; the other pro-
duces meanness of spirit. Let per-
son stand beneath the splendor OF an
illuminated heaven; let him look. II
he can, into the face Of the sun, or gaze
upon the splendor of an evening star,
and refuse to see Gods gracious pro
vision for his happiness. Or let him
sit at the table laden with the riches
from natures storehouse. year after
year, and never lift prayer of thanks
giving to the Giver Of all: That soul
will Wither to such proportions, when
called to stand in the presence of God,
as to merit for him only eternal obliv-
ion. But what of that one who sees
heavens merces all around him? Who
appreciates the little kindnesses OF
friends, the words, the smiles, the loves
of life? Such an one grows symmetri-
| cally unto the perfect and shall enjoy
the everlasting companionship OF his
Divine ENemplar.
'Have we reasons to be grateful to-
day? Has the past year brought sad
ness or gladness? We surely can re-
tuln devout thanks to Almighty God
for the outpouring of His grace upon us
as a nation. A treaty of peace has been
contaminated by which the iron heel
of cruel despotisn has been lifted
and the sanGuinary hand of the Span
lard stayed from peoples brow. God
has signally blessed the American
arms: and, laying aside all partisan
| bias, it must appear evident to all that
| the uninterrupted victories which have
attended the liberia ton of 100000 of
our fellowmen could have been possible
only through the favor of heaven. Not
! battle lost, not retreat made; but
everywhere the stars and stripes, the
symbol of religious and political free
dom, have been planted on the broken
| ramparts of the enemy.
We are grateful to God for the safe
return of our volunteers, who carried
the old flag through field and swamp,
often torn by rebel bullets, but never
stained by towards hand or traitors
heart.
I'VE are grateful to God for having
been spared the terrible visitation of
storm and pestilence. Japan has been
swept by the typhoon Porto Rico has
been devastated by the hurricane;
while the plague has desolated many
homes in other lands. Providence has
kindly shielded this land of promise
and given US peace and plenty. The
| crops have never been more abundant;
| commerce has set the wheels of shop
and factory humming from Castle Gar
| den to the Golden Gaze, the sectional
! differences of our people have largely
| disappeared good will and fellowship
| nrnyailjne thrOuohOut orr land