The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-11-29
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER %, 1900.
THANKSGIVING DAY.

Il There is grace of receiving as we'll as
a grace Of giving. Gratitude of the grace.
of receiving. There is little difference be-
tween the true spirit of giving anu the
true spirit of receiving Indeed, g,ati-
tude is in a sense giving. 1t is the SifinS
of thanks for benefits received and thanks
giving in the right spirit is as truly ac-.
aims to the poor 1t is ali in the motive.
There are those who give for a selfish
PURPOSE. They build institutions Of learn
ing and other institutions as monuments
to themselves, as monuments - thc.i.
generosity. There are others who give in
a smaller way to individuals rSr tie l'r1-s
pose of putting The recipients undcrEc.ii-
cations to them, cor the purpose of sIir-s
ing their gratitude and their good will
Such gifts do not enlarge the heart, do
not exercise the generous impulses. Monc::.
expended III this direction is cx,eadca rs
an investment. The so-called sivers tess-
poets value received. He gives FIR his
own sratfcation and not Cor the good >:
Others Such men do not receive gratitude,
for they are incaD a5.e Of inspiring Il.
The recipient of gift, which is mace for
a purpose, undersra ADS the motive tl1a;
is back OF 1t, and while he may express
his thanks he is not grateful.
In the Eastern countries OF old the
man who started out in the morning on
business pursuits was in the hao,t Of
he met for good luck The beggar re-.
ceivec the gift, and, in i perfunctory way,
wished the siver good luck and. in so.
doing, felt that he had discharged his
obligation. The Sift was made for con-
sideration; the beggar gave the consider
alton, as far as in his power lay, and
there the matter ended. There was neither
grace OF giving nor grace OF receiving
in such a transaction; it was purely bust
ness.
But the great Giver of all good and
perfect gifts does not give in any such
spirit. He sends His rain, upon the Just
and the. unjust. He showers Ills gifts
upon the whole world. and The wicked
frequently receive more hountifuHy than the
just The Lord gives with generous
hand. and expects nothing in return But
these gifts are. in the true sense, bcne-
fetal or moi, according as they are re-
ceirea II they are received in tie spirit
in which hey are given. gratitude is IN
spired and gratitude is a grace.
But while gratitude is acceptable in .he
t-:.yt,f .f,f ord ;S TO
more substantial ways than in words OF
thanks and praise Freely have sou re-
ceayed freely give is the doctrine. Those
who receive in the right spirit are moved
To give also in the right spirit 10 give.
generously and royalty. It is III this way
The whole country is prosperous, a:,d
Richmond is getting her TAI. share OF it.
The citizens of this community We're
never. perhaps. so able to give as they
are now. and ON this day. when business
is practically suspended and when the
people are adrnonished by the President
off the United States and The Governor of
Virginia To assemble themselves in their
accustomed places of worship and render.
thanks 10 Almighty Gci for the mater,a!
and spiritual blessing which they enjoy.
they should resolve Ia cultivate in them
selves The spirit Of giving, not only to
s give bat give generously and TO learn that
3 ihe-e IS q genuine pleasure in giving. j.
this resolve Shall De made in earnest ard
resoiutely adhered TO and carried out. this
viii he one Of the mos, Joyous ana hene-
ficiai Ihanksssirins-laa bays in The history o.
Richmond. 81
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