The Newtown bee., 1899-12-15

1t which they engender. The Rev j. O
A. Henry, of Chicago, has remarked
'To preserve the American citizen it Is
necessary to maintain the American
spirit, which is one of independence, in.
telligence, love of liberty, obedience to
constitutional law, equality before the
law, and profound recognition Of and
reverence for Almighty God. The spirit
of profanity, vuIgs rity, anarchism, friv-
olity, intolerance, and class distinction ID
utterly non-American. To perpetuate
this spirit, Professionalism must maintain
its fundamental principles of freedom,
liberty of thought, speech, worship, edu-
cation, press and church" For all this
Thanksgiving day prominently stands.
Our legal holidays must instill in the
mind Of the foreigner American ideas
and principles. If the foreigner is to be
AmericaniZed, the American citizen must
stand by American principles and Gus
toms.
When we pause and consider, each In.
dividuRl finds that he has more to be
thankful for than he can express in
words. There are, however, FIVE great
reasons why every Christian citizen
should return thanks to Almighty God
l. He should be thankful because he
lives in land Of religious federation and
liberty. The Pilgrim Fathers sought
these shores that they might worship
God In peace. This is the land Of the
free. We are utterly opposed to any
form of religious hostility. ANY organi-
zation, Protestant or Roman Catholic,
which seeks she humiliation of others on
religious grounds is purely un-American.
1t should be discouraged, it should be
abolished. Well may we be thankful
that we are not under such circumstances
as the Americans have been under. They
have suffered for conscience sake.
Movements are always on foet in this en-
lightened land to relieve the homelss
and starving multitudes Of other coun-
tries, by sending them food supplies. We
can best show our thankfulness to God
for freedom and national prosperity by
ministering to those who are less fortu-
nate than we. Freely we have received,
freely let US give.
3. The Christian citizen may also thank
God that no great and serious war rends
our country asunder. To be sure there
are bleeding hearts and vacant chairs,
resulting from the rsvages OF recent war
and we weep with those who weep, we
mourn with those who mourn. To-day,
however, we are at war with no other
nation, there Is no crushing civil strife, |
and the distant distur bance in the Phil
ippines is in no wise alarming, and Ia |
becoming weake and weaker. The pure
white banner of peace is being flung to |
the breez re over our heads.
"God. the Omnipotenti Mighty Avenger,
Watching invisible, judging unheard
Save us in mercy, save us from danger;
Give to us peace in our time, o Lord"
3. We should be
FOR THE CONDITION OF THE
TIMES.
The words of Governor Coffin in his
Proclamation OF 1895 may
we'll be repeated: 1.-THE year now draw
ng TO a close has been one OF revivinR
hops and improving prospects In both
and moral affairs. A better
between labor and capital,
Employed and employers, has been reach.
d, and the hitherto more or less preva-
ent discord between great sections of
ur country has, in important and signi ,
cant respects, as we may well hope and |
ray, vanished forever" Have you con-
idered that the ''hard times'' In the ,
United States are far better than the best
ines in many lands? This is truly a
avored country. The earth has yielded
n abundant increase. We have homes,
pod and clothing. Only few, compar- /
lively, Of the sixty-five or seventy mil 7
ons in our land are destitute. Are we {
bliged to work hard for what we have /? q
ven this is a blessing OF God. The &
evil-evil in every form-tempts the {
lie man more severely than the busy n
ian. !;
q. The Christian citIzsn should return j.
ranks for the giving hand Of God. b
lessings for which we have prayed have o
zen granted MS. Think IL over and see q
hat God has given you OF thlngs for G
hich you have not asked. '
3. We should also give thanks for the
Unfolding hand Of God. II Jour little G,
lid asked for razor to play with, you. n
Toying parent, would not crafty the a
lids request. So we are. In an impor- g
ut sense, children. We know not at all n
mes what things we have need OF. God d,
yes and withhOlds according to our iii
iilty TO rightly appreciate and use. we | ID
aometlmes like the mother of Zebe- Sc
90 children who asked Christ that her D,