The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1908-11-20

golden organ In an ancient
monastery. Once the monas-
tery was besieged by robbers
who desired to carry of it's treasures.
The monks took the organ to river
which flowed close by and sank 1t IN
the deep water in order to keep IL
from the hands of the robbers. AND
the legend is that. though buried thus
In the river, the organ still continued
to give forth sweet and enchanting
music, which was heard by those who
came near.
Every Christian life should be like
this golden organ. Nothing should
ever silence it's music. Even when
the foods of sorrow flow over it 1t
should still continue to rejoice and
sing.
One Of the secrets of such life Is
found in the cultivation of the habit
of thankfulness. Nothing less than
this will do. Most people have brief
hours in which their hearts are filled
with grateful feelings, and when all
the world seems beautiful to them.
But these sunny times soon pass. and
then for days they give themselves
over to discomfort and complaining.
Anybody can sing when walking amid
4 the flowers and in sunny ways; the
test of life comes when the garden
path becomes a bit of desert road.
We are not fully ready for living I'M
til we have strength enough to carry
us through the hardest places and the
deepest glooms.
Thanksgiving Day is not intended
TO gather into itself whole years
thanks. BY being full of gratitude
for the one day, we cannot make up
for three hundred and sixty-four days
of ingratitude. Every day should be
. thanksgiving day.
OF course, there is difference in
the days. Some of them are dark,
while others are bright. On. certain
days things seem to go wrong with
as and our affairs get tangled; on
other days life flows along like a
song. We want to learn to live so
that these changes in our circum-
stances and experiences shall not af-
feet us in our inner life. That is
what Saint Paul meant when he said
that he had learned in whatsoever
state he was therein to be content. 1t
was no easier for him to have to suf-
fer and endure want and privation
than it is for US. There was no lux
dry to him in being cast into dun
geon and having his feet made fast
in the stocks. But he had learned not
90 fret when his condition was un-
pleasant. Wherever we find him he
is singing, never despairing. The
habit of thanksgiving had been so
wrought into his life that nothing
could ever break it.
Just how to learn this habit Of
thanksgiving is the question. One
thing is to learn to trust. The cause
Of all complaining and discomfort is
want of trust in God. IL we believe
In God as our Father. that He loves
us and will care for US, and put at
once into His hands all matters that
would disturb or fret US, God Him
self will keep us in perfect peace.
Worry is death to the thanksgiving
spirit, while nothing so drives worry
from the heart as a thanksgiving
song.
Another thing that helps in form
lag this habit of thanksgiving is to
make sure of seeing the good and
beautiful things in life This is a
lovely world. 1t could not be other
wise. for it is our Fathers world. He
made it beautiful because it was to
be the home of His children. Yet
some see nothing of the loneliness
which lies about them continually
everywhere. They are like men tour
ing through country with glorious
scenery, in stage coach, keeping the
curtains fastened down all the time
AID seeing nothing.
It is said that Mr.. Ruskin's guests
ut Brentwood were often awakened
9arly in the morning by knocking
ut their door and the call, Are you
looking out?" When. in response to
this summons. they would open theil
window blinds. their eyes would be
charmed by the view that they saw
It is not every one who sleeps at might
In such place as Brentwood. and car
have Coniston morning to greet hi
vision when he awakes and opens hi
windows. But there is glory enough