Daily Arizona silver belt., 1909-11-25
LET US BE THANKFUL

While Thanksgiving Day is a festi- val distinctively American and associ- ated with American successes and insti- tutions, the spirit of the occasion differs little from that which marks harvest festivals in other countries and in other ages.
 On the human side it is an apprecia- tion of the good things and possibilities bestowed by higher power, and is, therefore, the same everywhere and at all times, in that the fe wnecessities of life are and always have been provi- sion from without our power natures. All mankind has tried to find the Pro- wider and render unto Him adequate thanks for these things. Notably in countries where vegetation depends up on rainfall the human mind and affec tion fixes upon a suppositional Rain God. In countries where the flowing river is used for irrigation, or where by natural overflow the growth of vege- table life is sufficient to maintain the people, the people deify the river.
 Without revelation the sun is very widely worshipped in appreciation of it's benefcent effects upon animal and plant life. The investigations of the ages failed to go behind the benefaction and recognize the benefactor Men al ways discovered the raw material at hand and found within themselves the ability to use it to some extent. Even the application to life of this combining power has been progressive rather than immediate; and, indeed, the use of the raw material has often been what we call aeeidntal, rather than the result of investigation. For example Charles Lamb pictures one race of people as ony learning the delightful taste of roast pig through the accidental burning of house in which these household pets were kept. When attempting to remove the charred remains they car ried their burned fingers covered with roast pork to their mouths, and then learned the taste.
 By accIdent people learneu that to. matoes were food and not a beduti- ful poisonous ornament.
 By accident men learned that coal would burn with a great heat.
 Revelation of God s goodness in pro. vision has thus been going on through out all time as He has let men into the secret of the usefulness of things with which He has surrounded them. And equally so has He revealed man s power over the things provided, and over himself to man as the ages have hurried on in their rapid course.
 Then, at this season of the year, among other things for which, not only the citizens of the United States have reason to be thankful but all Christen- dom, are, first, that not only the bene factions of Heaven have been unlim- ited but that the Benefactor is reveal ed as personal, intelligent, control ling God. That the Benefactor of the race is loving Father, who may be known intimately by every individual. That while He is in absolute control of his lower creation He has made his higher creation-man-an absolutely free moral agent, whom he deems wor' thy to associate with Himself in the final acts of the adjustment of His ere atiOns. That while He does not compel the affection of man He does love provision made for his physical, mental and spiritual welfare, and that if there is at least spark of appreciation in an heart that heart must look to God in gratitude.
 God has not only made man free in his attitude toward Himself, but also free in his attitude toward his fellow man. ne ndS pIONluou "puhu""Viy avs the human family and leaves the human family to adjust that provision among themselves. Therefore, if there is lack anywhere, and there is woeful lack, it 1 is not chargeable to God, but to man, and is grievous and hateful in the sight of the Great and Generous Giver, who "giveth to all men liberally," " as it is a perversion of his intentions.
 Therefore, let us thank God as indi- viduals, as families, as a nation, for what God has bestowed so freely, and for the power of wisely using these gifts. And while all His benefactions do not reach their intended destination, let us today thank Him as our Father and hope to become better stewards of His goodness.