Charlevoix county herald., 1905-12-02
The Proclamation
of a Nation.
Thanksgiving Sermon by
Rev. George E. Allan
OF the Methodist Episcopal Church,
Given at the Presbyterian Church
Thursday, Nov. 80, 1905.

We are gathered together here 10
day at the call OF the President Of the
United States. and the distinctive
object which we have in view Is TO
render unto the Almighty Creator
thanksgiving for all His goodness to
us as individuals, and for His kind
care over us as ii nation, and to 40
knowledge our shortcomings and
pledge ourselves solemnly and in good
faith TO overcome them. Truly this
characteristic Of ours in so coming
together in our churches and school
houses with this as our object is, in
deed. indicative Of one OF the roots Of
honor In any nation I'm which it may
be found. We may with perfect
honesty say that we are citizens of the
greatest Republic which the world
has ever seen. do not of course mean
great in the sense in which it is SO
common for some To count greatness:
namely, ia powerful armies, in the
number of ironclads in a navy, or In
the extent Of territory; but in the
righteousness of her laws, the true
and lasting happiness, and the rea!
freedom of her people.
Now on this day we may look back
over the year that has gone since you
last met together thus, and / think,
as we do so great many many things
will rise TO our vision for which,
Indeed, if we have In US the real
,Nmetal, we ought to he thankful to
Almighty God Who has So favored us
as a people, and as nation.
We are urged in this text Of ours o
mantully acknowledge our shortcom-'
ings Now there can be no mistake
OH this matter, we have our full share.
Fer any man 10 be so imprudeu' as To
make such statements as those which
imply that he is without sim,
"holy To his fingers ends". and other
remarks OF kindred nature, only re-
veals 10 the whole neiyhborhoDd in
which he lives the fact that he is a
very unworthy man. foi whatsoever
such All one does is right in his own
eyes howsoevpr flaerant it may be In
The eyes OF those who have the COM
mon sense To see and acknowledge
Their own shortcomings. The nun is
not by any means the most trusted
citizen who does not see any faults and
failings in himself. but the'one who
does see them and resolves by the
highest that is IN him To make them
stepping stones to better and, nober
deeds is The man whom we delight to
honor What terrible deeds are done
In the name Of religion. But.we who
are irving TO place before the world tie
ethical teaching Of The Man. of Cali
lee do not forget the tremendous fact
that religion in the very highest sense
Is synonymous with true. and noble
life, and IL well expressed by our gr' at
Teacher In that wonderful saying OF
His Whatsoever ye would that men
should do to you, do ye even so TO
them"
We are In these DAYS in q very great
hurry IN our search after, honor And
riches, and In some cases, we deeply
regret TO say, IL does not matter In the
least how they are gotten so long as
we are successful in our .endeayuurs.
There has recently been concluded
one Of the greatest wars of modern
Tins. At the beginning of TN It war
there were names which were held in
the very highest honor. Men so great
that the common people looked TO
them as the saviors Of their country,
How loug did this honor last? 1t was
Indeed of very short duration. How
many In our own aud have been
looked up 20 as men of honor, but
when'sheir deeds have been brought to
the fight how great has been their
fall. Young men. it is right TO aim
high In life. la this country do not
know what high places are closed to
you. Bit be clear in your own minds on
this point nat the things which last,
the things which will bear The .trnng.
est light of day, are only won afterttIe
most arduous work. ''Get therer<fsa a
, common saying yes but see that. you
get there not simply lawfully& bSt,aif'
> 'sthrough the strenuous time see that
3your character shall remain uutafhted.
The paths are not often the well beat
en oues, on the ether hand they are,
hard and thorny. and the thorns tsiiL
often leave their marks, and often
times Jou viii feel despondent snd,as
u hvouId be better 10 give up in the