The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-11-26

the hereafter. That God has not given
us these wondrous endewments. these
marvellous minds these hopes and aspis
rations and longings for naught and but
10 mock rs: But that in the Great
Hereafter we shall find endless objects
for their exercise-and that our immor-
tai souls shall be satisfied in the full
perfection Of the end Of our being.
Tnen how goodiy il our heritage AS a
people,
We are Americans.
Thou our native land none is fuirer
on all the earth. What boundless and
varied resources.
And how astonishing their develop
ment. This Republic is the land of the
free 1t is veritabe haven for the OPP
pressed of all lands. The laborer's cot
tage is as secure from lawIess invasion
as the castle Of a king. And how in
calculahle the blessings OF religious liberty
that from the first has been the heritage
of this favored land. God has not dealt
so with any people. We fail to appreciate
our blessings as nation because we are
SO familiar with them. We have never
known anything else. Then how good
God has been to US in basket and in
store, Honest toll is rewarded. The
poor man enjoys the fruit of his la
bors. Crops have been abundant In
dustries are revived. Benevolent and
charitable institutions abound In our
anxiety and zeal for what needs vet 10
be done we forget. what has been ac-
complished and is now being accom-
plished. Vast fortunes of even the repu-
1. n. II. 4.
voted to the education of the masses
and the amelioration Of human suffering.
There is much good in the world and
we see it manifested in this land of ours.
The selfish passions and ambitions of
men may make much ado but Sod ruleth
over all. The Lord Is king, be the
people never SO impatient; he sitteth
between the chnrubim. be the earth
never so unquiet. And we have much
to be thankful for, ! think, in the fact
that our lot is cast in this common
wealth and in this fair city Of Raleigh.
What has been said OF our advantage
and blessings as il nation is especially
true of us as citizens of North Caro-
lima. No State ON the American conti-
nent has a more genial climate or more
--if as many varied resources and bless
ings. A glance at our census tables or
visit to our State Museum would be
most gratifying revelation to many
citizens whose attention has not been
turned in this direction. What stores
Of various minerals in our soil. what
stores Of wealth in our forests. What
possibilities in agriculture, what sources
of profit in our rivers and sounds and
sea coast We are homogeneous peo-
pie mostly to the manor born--hon-
est, industrious. thrifty There is spe-
cial cause for thanksgiving. | think,
in the marked increase of popular inter-
est Ill educational affairs. What has
been 50 long a reproach to MS seems
about 10 become matter of just pride.
Our public school system is being ex-
tended and is becoming year by year
more promising and encouraging. The
standard required Of teachers is higher.
School terms are longer. Popular sup
port IS more approved. Our universities
and colleges were never so largely at
tended or more prosperous or better
managed. We are justly proud of the
liberal provision that the State makes
Tor the relief and comfort of the sick
and suffering in mind body or estate.
IN the various benevolent and charitable
institutions located here and elsewhere.
We may well rejoice at the MANY eyl-
denees of material growth and inn
proYement IN our capital city of Raj
eigh; but what | think is a matter Or
speeial thanksgiving is the fact that IN
no place-not Of larger population or
more wealth-are there 50 many in
stltutlons of strictly charitable char
acter for the relief of the poor ana
afflicted and friendlcss or so many ex-
cellent schools, public and private, az