The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-11-24
The Dav We Celebrate.

ny, was the first to institute tho observ-
ance OF special Day Of Thanksgiving
in America and when the colonlsts as
semh!ed on that occasion to return thanks
to Almighty God for his bounty, how 1T
tie did they realize the magnificent dest-
ny in store for the American republic,
whose foundations they and their breth-
ren in Virginia and other colonies were
then laying! The most optimistic Of them
all, the most imaginative, could hardly
| have believed that in the course OF a few
| centuries there would grow out of this
little beginning mighty nation OF eighty
| million people, free from the control OF
the mother country. independent In
| thought and action. world power con-
trolling more or less the entire Western
Hemisphere, and having voice second
to none in the control Of the affairs of
the whole world. If they were thankful
for the blessings Of those simple times
and for tho promise of greater things to
come, how much moro should we be
thankful for the enormous advantages
which we enjoy. for the full realization
of their most sanguine hopes!
''The good OF ancient times,
Let others state:
think It luxury
/ was born so late"
It Is most appropriate that the Presi-
dent of the United States should name
a day OF general thanksgiving and It is
our privilege to celebrate and enjoy 1t In
the spirit Of true thanksgiving and praise.
The day is a national holiday, and dn our
leisure we may review the past and see
how goodness and mercy have followed
lis all the days Of our Gives. We may
contemplate the growth and development
Of the nation and blind is he who does
not recognize the hand Of God in our his
tory. Apart, therefore, from all purely
material blessings we may reverenty and
deyoutly and in spirit Of patriotism
return thanks to tho God of nations for
the honor and glory that he has con-
fe1-red upon US as chosen and favored
people.
AS for material things there never was
a Thanksgiving Day when we had great
or cause for rejoicing and returning
thanks We have an abundance OF the
kindly fruits OF the earth. We have
more than ever OF this worlds goods. We
have unprecedented prosperity. not here
and there. but In oil sections OF our coun-
try There is prosperity; there is peace,
and there IS every opportunity Of en-
toying the blessings Of kind and bounti-
full Providence. The golden age Is not
yet, but we are nearer to 1t than any Of
the generations that have preceded us,
and with all that the pess,mist may say
we are nearer than ever to tho attain
ment of our ideals; we are yearly np-
preaching nearer and nearer to perfect
| civilization.
But while Thanksgiving Day Is ma
! tional celebration. 1t should have pc
| GUITAR and personal significance to each
| and every individual. Tt is all occasion
| for personal meditation that each one
| may consider his own situation III life
and cultivate the spirit OF gratitude. II
| lnGfc Is ScclHiHblS lllLc AL oHe me 10
be thankful for, let him compare his
condition with those who are less for
tunatcly situated, The Persian poet,
Sndi. who walked the streets, as he tells
us with hot and envious heart" com
nain!ng of his lot saw beggar who
had no feet His complaint was then
turned to praise, and he thought no
moro of his lack OF shoes. Coming down
to the last extremity. TO the poorest lot
of all. one may at least join In the sent-
| nent OF Plato, who thanked God that he
was born a man and not Il beast,
| 1t is good philosophy, If nothing more.
to cultivate the spirit OF gratitude, for 1t
! gives flavor to life; it gives appreciation
| of blessings great and small; 1t gives
the capacity to enjoy. The beauty of
true gratitude is that 1t Is not merely {;
| sentiment Of the present One may BIO
| grateful for the blessings Of the past
and so make their enjoyment thing of
o-day, and With era utude and faith one
may enjoy in anticipation the blessings
which our Heavenly Father has In store
for all his loving and faithful children
Il