The Ogden standard. [volume] (Ogden City, Utah) 1902-1910, 1909-11-26
HEPHl I. MORRIS ADDRESS
AT THE TABERNACLE

Interesting services were held yes
terday morning at the tabernacle In
commemoration OF Thanksgiving day.
the services being in charge of Presi-
dent {. c. Richards Of the Ogden
stake
A beautiful musical program was
rendered by the choir and Mrs. Mary
harrington Stevens. as follows:
Solo and chorus. "Hosanna," by
Mrs. Stevens and choir; solo. %. Love
DIVINE Mrs. Stevens Sam F. Whit
aker also rendered beautiful organ
solo and for closing number the
choir sang God Is Our Refuge"
After invocation by Bishop Taylor
OF the Eighth ward. President Nephi
J., Morris of Salt Lake delivered an
address.
After paying tribute to the great
value Of music in the world President
Morris said, In part:
From time immemorial the human
race has set apart q day Of Thanks
giving which has usually been Just
after the harvest time when prosperity
is at It's highest plane. Common gra-
utude OF man 10 God and nature has
always existed. The setting apart OK
day of Thanksgiving is to my mind
one OF the most beautiful institutions
of our nation
We have much 10 be thankful for:
good health, good homes and good
friends. Success in the direction OF
righteousness is also a reason for
thanksgiving.
Your ancestors and mine were per-
secuted even to the death for reading
the scriptures in their day We should
thank God that those days arc past
and that we can worship him In peace
and allow others the same privilege,
While Thanksgiving day means to
a great many. indulgence in all man.
ner OF pleasures and amusemeuts. I
would rather speak Of It in its original
form when It was a day OF giving
thanks TO God for his goodness TO
man. The love of luxury Is the be-
ginning of decline: prosperity and
plenty only too often leads 10 a forget.
fulneSS Of Cod Things of eternal value
are the things we should be most
thankful for.
The fall of Adam was not a mis-.
fortune TO mankind; II was instead
an opportunity given him for develop
ment- He was given certain laws to
obey and when he disobeycd them he
was banished from paradise In tho
outside world he found that the earth
and everything upon II was his enemy.
He was told 10 conquer and replenlsh
and thus in this twentieth century we
can see the results of that command
and that the driving of Adam from
paradise by an angry God was not
calamity, but the greatest blessing
given him.
The first Thanksgiving day. to MY
mind. was when at that great meet.
ing In the spirit world before the ere
alton. that the stars of morning shout.
ed Tor Joy because a new earth was
to be created and man placed upon II
for his greater development.
The second was at one time after
the fall when children were born
to Adam and Eve, that she said Had
We not fallen. this blessing would
not have been ours Thus we can I'M
derstand that the bringing of children
into the world Is the greatest bless.
Ing given TO man
we recall at one time perhaps
when Carlyle. in speaking to his
friend Milford. said All, Milford
death is a great blessing; without it
there would have been no In memo
rum. The less of a friend was the
cause of the writing of this great
poem by Tennyson. Thus we sec that
trouble and sorrow bring out the best
thoughts in man and bring him nearer
TO God. We also recall how Job. in
the midst Of his trials and torments.
gave his great testimony To man and
spoke of his unhappinesS for the
knowledge OF God
The greatest Victories are not in
conquest. but in surrender. for when !
wc can so conquer self and give to
another. then it is Gods Will. Can we
not recall how Washington, Lincoln, |
Columbus and other great men in the |
worlds history sought God in their
hour Of need and gave unto Him their |
thanks and gratitude?
who, then is our Great Comforter !
I'm time of sorrow is IL not Jesus.
who Himself suffered 50 much. who !
knows our suffering and can sympa
thIze with us? May We all, then, re- !
the words Of the Master !
who. in the midst OF His agony on the !
cros5. said, Not my will. o Lord. but |
Thine. be done Amen"
Benediction was offered by Bishop !
Robert McQuarrle.