Truth. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1901-1908, 1905-12-02
THANKSGIVING.

one of the earliest of German scholars
and idealists to seek this country for
an environment where liberty OF
thought and speech might be had, he
Is found recording, among his other
impressions of the New England
where he lived, this: Nov. 29th,
1927: On Thanksgiving day the
members of every family in New
England meet, If possible, at the
house of the head of the family. In
the morning there is a service in all
the churches. The day is appointed
by the. governor. All congregations
are invited to celebrate it; and men
are requested to abstain from all
business which Is inconsistent with
the celebration of the day. The poor
est families are provided for by the
rich, on that day, that they may join
In the universal rejoicing. Instead
of the Easter lamb, a turkey"
Far and wide, wherever New-Eng
landers have gone, the feast-day the
Pilgrims set up has gone, with an
authority disputed today by the cele-
bration of Chritmas and Easter, but,
nevertheless, universal throughout
the land, and losing none Of it's social
and ethical aspects; albeit on its
ecclesiastical side it has somewhat
lost its grip, IL the size of congrega-
lions on the morn of the festal day
Is fair test.
The abiding value of the day lies in
Its response to permanent needs of
men the need of showing gratitude
for blessings received IL our life is
to be saved from sordidness and sell
fishness; the need of strengthening
ties of kinship If life is to be saved
from anarchistic individualism, I'M
dermining the family as well as the
state; and the need of human recog-
milton of Providence in personal and
national affairs, and regular COMPARE
son of personal and national conduct
with abiding spiritual and ethical
ideals. All these needs Thanksgiving
day meets IL observed in right spirit.
p Never since the pioneers landed on
our shores have we, as people, had
SO much in the way of material pros
perity to be thankful for, or to plan
to spend in wicked or righteous ways.
Never was the heart of the people
so set upon growth in intelligence,
sobriety, and humane conditions OF
life for all men.
NcN6T SluCt VIC UCCdnC q
have we counted as positively and
powerfully in the affairs OF con-
tinents beyond seas as now we do.
Never have we had more unity Of
spirit between sections within the
nation, between citizens of all par
ties, and adherents of many sects.
Never have we had political leaders
more conspicuously trusted on the
ground of their devotion to the inter-
ests of the many as over against the
interests of the few.
Never was the science of govern
ment taught as much to our youth;
never was our democracy as ready as
1t Is now to accept the advice of ex-
perts.
Never has art in it's manifold forms
been so highly rated or adequately re-
warded.
Never has literature-good and bad
been as inexpensive or as widely
circulated.
Never have men of so many races,
from so many lands, blended in 10y
atty to one common veal; and
Never have applied science and the
spirit Of the Good Samaritan so Joined
to protect, succor, and save weak,
bruised, or despairing humanity.
Nevertheless, as President Roose-
welt points out in his call for observ-
ance of Thanksgiving day on the 3Otn,
kha .atinv, hoe bar fnac fOQc within