Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1905-11-29
THANKSGIVING.

The season or Thanksgiving is again
upon sand It behooyes every American
citizen TO pause, and reflect upon the
goodness and loving kindness of the
mereiful Father: to consider whether
and to what extent, we are worthy OF
the untold blessings enjoyed; that We
may turn from the ways that lead TO
evil and extend to felow-men as far
as possible. the tokens Of good win and
love we owe one another as children Of
the same Father only so can thanks
giving be properly observed.
when this day was first instituted ne
q holiday, it was meant for a day OF
Thanksgiving, prayer and meditation
II was intended az an acknowledgment
OF our dependence on God, as individ-
uals and as a people. on that day the
members Of the family met II possible
at the house of the head Of the FAINT
~. Services We're held IN the various
places Of worship. The poor were pro-
vided for by those who We're wen OF,
that all might feast and rejoice The
true meaning of the day was thus
brought out, so that none could mistake
It. II was plain even to the children.
Times have changed, and the day is no
longer universally observed with the
religious fervor that inspired the PHI
grIms, But as long as the custom OF
setting apart one day in the year as a
special day Of thanksgiving is adhered
to, so long It viii be a testimony that
we acknowledge the Almighty as the
Ruler OF nations, and of our depend
ence on Him for ali good gifts, tenn
poral and spiritual.
Never before has this nation had
more cause for gratitude, than now.
We have been spared the visltations of
war, famine, pestiIence, rebellion. ana
other calamties that are even now
making the hearts OF men sick within
them, for fear. True, there are many
signs OF disease attacking the very
roots Of the tree Of liberty planted in
American soil by our fathers. Greed
and ambition are the worms infesting
and sometimes destroying the sweet
fruits of that magnificent tree. But,
the keepers are alert They are fight
Ing the pest. more or lees intellgently
and successfully, and the final outcome
Is not In doubt. We have a magnh-
cent country. divinely appointed gov
eminent Institutions, and at the head
Of the state a President who commands
the respect Of the entire world. Never
before was the outlook brighter, not
wthstandng the Vaccinations of the
instruments Of the adversary OF truth
and liberty Let us give thanks. then,
with humble hearts and with a firm de-
termination TO preserve pure to COM
ing generations the institutions given
through the fathers.
As members of the Church, Of Jesus
Christ OF Latter-day Saints we have,
this year, special reasons for gratitude.
\ hundred years have soon passed since
the day upon which the great Prophet
VI NiilN hi'lNll'hNlNil ll0N saw ANt lkNlt
Seyenty-fve years have passed since
The Church was founded Ever since
that day the enemies Of God and man
have sought 10 destroy that work. They
have employed every means imaginable
for that purpose, including assasslna-
tion and expulsion. They have en-
deavored to lay sacrileglous hands upon
the machinery Of the government, that
should be sacred, for the purpose OF
using It IN the service of murderous
persecution, But the Church Is sim
preserved, stronger than ever a more
powerful witness than ever in the
world, for the Lord and Master. The
cause Of Christ Is spreading TO the ut
termost ends OF the world and lts IN
fluence Is being felt In all departments
Of human thought and activity. The
past of the Church SIS bright. being one
continuous triumph over sin, error and
oppression. The present Is encourag.
ing, and the future Is also bright. be-
cause the Lord IS with His servants,
ana leading the way. There IL abund.
ant cause for joy and Thanksgiving, 10
matter In what direction we look.