The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-12-01

that all snail rejoice IN tnankSg1V1k1S
to the giver of all good. You do your
part to this end.
But there are other conditions ke-
side the lack of food and raiment that
stand in the way of a perfect or uni
versal thanksgiving. How shall we meet
them? AS nation we have much to
be thankful for At the same time we
live among conditions that we all be-
lieye might be infinitely bettered. To-
shortcomings are in plenty, nationally
and locally. Neither are wanting
prophets to remind us of them and call
us very hard names, and to predict dis
aster because we do not rise up at once
and remedy them.
"'Shall we be thankful for a social
condition that leads to the shooting
down of workmen because they oppose
the tyranny of those who call them
selevs the masters?' demands one.
SHOULD we be thankful for corr
rupt political system that enables a
class distinction or race var, that
DISTINGUISHES free men at the end of
rifle. that upholds iniquity? interro-
gates another.
Shall we be thankful for religious
institutions that stand by and permit
a debasing traffic in human souls?'
cries third. and so on. ad finitum.'
Then there is the individual side.
Some may say from the bitterness of an
aching heart: There s no JOY for me.
They may think that if the speaker
knew their peculiar grief ana struggle
he would not attempt 10 feed them on
oily and ancient generaltles. What
joy for me? Why give thanks; ] arr in
the sea of grief cries the hereft
mother. I in the slough of despond,
mutters the defeated man. i am racked
by suffering means the invalid. The
morbid and passion cursed mopes and
groans and the pessimist sneers: Out
upon Thanksgiving! l have naught to
be thankful for These are all condi-
tions to be met. How shall we meet
them? Far be it from me to seek by
the water of platitude 20 quench the
agony of a soul on fire. Neither dc 1
deny the existence Of corrupt mstl!u-
tions and unrighteous social ana 1t-
ligious conditions, but i may be said
that those who compl1ln are not al
ways, if ever, in position to judge
fairly Men make standards without
knowledge and ,alk TO say something
to be heard. l may he permitted TO
offer few suggestions that Will prove
helpful: First the present is never
so bad. We borrow our Woes from the
past and future. The actual anguish
of this moment is not SO poignant, the
actual condition not so bad, until we
reflect on the awful past or lacerate
our souls with the draary prospect OF
the dreaded future. Than it is possible
we expect too much from others with
out looking to self at all In any case,
thank God it is no worse. 1t might
easily be SO. A sure source Of helpful
ness and the remedy for all these
troubles would be found if all would re-
member their duty to God and demon
strate it by their actions tc their lei
lows Permit me to refer you to q
statement made in the beginning Of this
discourse: We believe Improvement
will follow better conception Of Tod s
providence and our duty to Hin our
duty is joy, prayer, thanksgiving in
righteousness. Learn His will obey
Him. trust Him, and the conditions Will
be improved and abun 1ant thanksSlV-
ing follow, For this is the will Of God.
But learn that this is the viii Ct
| God in Christ Jesus. Unthankfu!1ess
| and the conditions we nave menHcntd
and others we could mention are the
result of sin. Gods way is righteous
| ness in Christ Jesus. 1t IS the will Ct
God that we shall find Him righteous
| and keep from sin. We are no1 called
upon to thank Him for the sins that
men do! Thank Him for the blessings,
| be honest to your neighbors. flee the
ways of sin, and these things you Cffer
| as reasons why you should not he
| thankful will be no more. Corruption
and iniquity and impurity are never &C
| cording to the will of God in Christ
! Jesus. Then, again, think before you
thank. Count your blessings. See now
much better off you are Than some o. h
ers You have life and opportunity
| improve the present condition. Accept
what God offers in Christ Jesus; be-
| lieve Him and go on your way rejoicing:
| The gospel of Christ is the pcwe" OF
| God unto salvation from every III ana
all wickedness under the sun to every
one that believes. Civilization ana
| progress have followed it. What men
take credit for, God has done. Trust
Him. All will be well. Think on these
things and then thank God
Concluding, let me say: This con
Germs you. 1t is the will of God in Christ
| Jesus concerning you. You are to give
Him the praise of thanksgiving. The
| failing of others will never bring you
| to the Judgment seat unless you LED
to their fall, Find God in all things II
you would know the fullness of full
| heart He must be thanked for the
| harvests, wealth, civilization, progress
The gospel of His dear Son has made
| it all possible. To-day art, industry, IN
vention literature, learning and gov.
eminent are captives marching IN
| Christ's triumphal procession up the
hill of time. He is the way of all gooo
| 49,
things and be thankful.
AS you join the circle about the
groaning table to-day, find God in al
there is there to delight and satisfy
you. Look into the dear familiar faces
and find God. Add your voice to the
songs of joy and find God in voice
Stand beneath the brilliant lights upoi
your streets, behold the marts OF com
MERGE or hear the hum of industry
and find God. Stand by the bedside OF
the sick and find God ready to receive
The grave cannot shut Him out if the
soul looks up in faith Find God every
where Take no counsel of the agnos.
tic nor the pessimist. but in Christ
Jesus find God and His providence anc
purpose will be your own, and will II
everything give thanks, for this is the
will of God in Christ Jesus concerning
you.
Let my voice ring out and over the
! earth.
Through all the grief and strife:
With a golden joy in silver mirth:
Thank God for life.