The Central Nevadan. [volume] (Battle Mountain, Nev.) 1885-1907, 1903-11-26
THANKSGIVING
OBSERVANCE.
(TExT-sT. LUKE. Is :23-'Let us eat and be
merry,n)

UCaABbAAC = tAPtSoc up AC'SfOee 49,
timent of gratitude, but rather with an
impression that it is the embodiment of
the current thought in the modern OBJ
servance of Thanksgiving Day.
Let US Eat and be merry"
We are not Of a mind to declare that
festivity may not be recognized as a be.
coming feature of the day, and u
which all may observe with a great
measure of delight. But we do affirm
that it cannot consistently be considered
the most prominent, aud should not be
the most attractive feature in d proper
recognition of Thanksgiving,
The occasion upon which the text was
uttered was one of great thankfulness.
But the deeper current of feeling and
tho't originated by hat spirit, fouu ex-
preston in actions, and possibly tears,
before the text was spoken. When the
father of the prodigal discryed his long
lost son.. "He ran and fell on his neck
and kissed bim." The strong, tender
em brace and affectionate kiss proceeded
the injunction: Bring the fatted calf
and kill it, and let us eat and be merry"
1t was in perfect exhibition of the con-
stancy and generous provision of the
fathers love that the robe, and ring, and
shoes, were brought, and the table
spread. hat the thinly clad and poo ly
fed son, might be clothed, ornamented
and filled.
Let us eat aud he merry"
There is another suggestion than that
of a festival scene offered by the text
which is common to the present observ.
nee of Thanksgiving Day.
1t is this: The family reunion. How
commendaple is the practice of parents
aud grandparents, children and grand
children, coming together in obedience
to that elevating instinct Of family affec.
ton. How suitable to the Christian
faith it would be if at such gatherings
on Thanksgiving the venerable grand
father were made master OF ceremonies"
aud seated at the head when all had con-
gregated about the table laden with
turkey, fruits and cakes, or possibly
meager meats and dainties. should lead
in the repetition of a well selected Psalm
of praise. Would moi such an observ-
dnce heighten the respect of the rising
generation for God and honor Him as
the recognized giver of every good
and perfect gift" the All Father I our
nation, under whose gracious providence
as a nation, we o inherit a goodly
measure of peace aud prosperity? Ger
tainly the mere act OF f~easting and max
ing merry should not be substituted for
the true devotional exercise OF thanking
God for "all His benefits towards u.s."
"Let US eat and be merry"
To the festival i~nstigated by this in
junction there was one detraction. The
eldest son RETURNING from the field and
learning the cause OF the merriment be-
came angry and would no go into the
feast. Undoubtedly his anger vas
aroused by jealousy from the benevolent
manner in which the fsther was cele-
brating the joyous event of the var
derer's return. At any issue his indigna.
ton totally untitled him to participate
in the celebration and his spirit was di-
rectly a%ntagcnistic to the spirit Of the
occasion The inference we would draw
from his demeanor, dear friends, is this:
Ii you are not on kindly terms with your
neighbor, if you cherish any bitterness,
i'll will or malice. if you are looking
through an envious eye upon your
brother mans prosperity, you are not in
a disposition of mind or temperament OF
heart to enter into the true spirit Of this
Day. You should first be reconciled to
your neighbor and her offer your trib-
ute of praise unto God. Remember that
God is not a 'respector OF persons" He
maketh His sun to rise on the evil and
on the good, and sendeth rain ION the
just and on the unjust" Ii through
lack of business ability you are not SO
favorably circumstances as your fellow
man, do not murmur against God nor
attribute your less fortunate condition
to an "accursed fate" The wise and
tender providence of our Heavenly
Father embraces all men and 'the same
Lord over all is rich unto all that call
upon Him"
"Let us Eat and be merry"
If these words formulate our idea of
Thanksgiving observance we are apt to
be more gluttonous than grateful, and
friends is it not true that our triune hol.
iday season, consisting in Thanksgiving,
Christmas and New Years, has in too
great a measure become a gala day for
the ~gormandizer and wine bibber? If
this be true does it not indicate either a
stupid apprehension or else an irreverent
observance of the true character Of rec
IGNITION to be payed?
Gratitude of a true ard noble nature
does not seek qualification in eating,
drinking and making merry, bat it finds
spontaneous issue in songs of praise, ex-