Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1904-11-23
WEDNESDAY. NOv. .. %
THANKSGIVING

Tor universal luhnAnsAfAnb +S~
morrow. II is fast becoming one OF
the chiefest and most pleasant OF
onr national holidays. II is an Eng
fish institution and has been growing
in popular favor, especially in the
south. for years. On this day the
people of all classes throughout the
nation, laying aside their daily cares
and iabors, should devote at least a
portion Of their time to sober consid-
GRAFTON Of the significance Of the oc-
casion and the many blessings which
we. as a people and as nation, en-
joy. This is not a day for mere
thoughtless seeking after pleasure.
but should be spent III giving thanks
to God for His goodness and forbear-
ance which He has vouchsafed TO the
American people during the year just
past. and in devout prayer and sincere
gratitude in acknowledgment for all
His goodness to us and to all men.
Tomorrow let us forego our usual
occupations, and in our accustomed
places Of worship join in rendering
thanks to the Giver of every good and
perfect gift for the bounteous returns
that have rewarded our labors in the
fields and in the busy marts of trade;
for the peace and orderethat have pre-
vailed throughout the land; for our
protection from pestilence and dire
calamity; aud for the other blessings
that have been showered upon rs from
an open hand. And, with our thanks.
giving, let us humbly beseech the
Lord so TO incline the hearts of the
people unto Him that He will not
leave us nor forsake us in the path of
national prosperity and happiness, en-
dowine us with rectitude and virtue
aud keeping alive within us patri-
otto love for the free institutions
which have been given to us as our
national heritage.
Thanksgiving Day is fitting time
20 20 over again the twelve-months
which the flight of time has put into
history of our individual life work,
and gather lessons which will be use
full for time to come. We may well
cherish the memory Of our good and
useful deeds, which, by divine guild
ance. we have been enabled to per-
form. and recall the elevating infiu-
ences these have had upon us
strengthening and buoying us up for
tasks of life set before us yet to be
done. And these good actions, of
fragrant memory, have, indeed, po-
tent power, and.are inspirations most
helpful to us all. Who does not know
how inestimable the value-how more |
than thrice. blessed--are some of the |
little deeds of kindness of the past.
Truly did one of the sweetest singers
Of the English tongue declare that
kind hearts are more than coro-
nets. -
The review of the year gone by
will bring up. also, it is but too GER
tain. events and circumstances which
mar the pictures in memory's won
derful gallery-events which, may
hap. by some willful deed of ours,
WELD only sadness and bow down the
spirit. There are, indeed. many
things which constantly admonish us
of human frailties and our absolute
dependence upon divine power for a
happy issue out of them. Thanksgiv
ing is day of all days for putting
aside the sin which doth so easily be-
set MS. and sins which tend TO hinder
our progress toward higher and
better life. 1t should be day of SUBJ
stantial helpfulness for all. for there
are none that have not some cause
for thankfulness.