Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1909-11-18
"The Blessing of Thankful Heart"
Neh 1912.
BY WILLIAM T. ELLIS.

Optimism is the days fad 1t is
good, fad, despite the evidence that
some persons are trying to feed their
spirits on what Carlyle called "a diet
of broad grins." Mere needless good
nature and careless assurance are not
the real optimism. Real optimism has
it's springs in thankful heart 1t is
grateful for the good. and looks ever
on the brighter side because it is the
better side, and, all things considered,
optimism is that which is pillared in
simple trust in God. 1t believes that
all things will come out right in the
end, because God is in control, and
his other name is love.
Among all the blessings for which
mortals should give thanks the bless
ing of a thankful heart should have a
high place. This spirit of gratitude,
which recognizes Gods good guidance
in all of life, and is not merely resign
ed to his provfdences, but grateful for
them, is trace of the divine in the
human. For it was Gods own Son
who taught men to say, Father, l
thank thee"
4
A mans wife died. The loss was
sore, for the love that knit them to-
gether was strong, and the husband
had been wont to lean heavily upon his
wife's tender care and counsel. After
her death the man showed no bitter
ness: and the secret was explained
when somebody heard him praying
alone. His prayer was not one of
grief, but of gratitude that for so many
years God had given him this rich love
and joy. He confessed himself I'M
worthy of such great honor and
blessing, but he thanked God for it,
and prayed that he might be kept
ready for the eternal reunion with his
beloved. Is 1T any wonder that this
mans bereavement has been a means
of grace to him, and to all his wide
circle of friends? His gratitude has
made him great.
"Thanlfulness for blessings says
Amos R. Wells, sis almost always a
greater blessing than those for which
we are thankful"
Since every day is Gods day, every
day should be thanksgiving day.
Happiness is the thanks we say to
God. just to be glad is gratitude.
These are the gifts I ask
OF thee, Spirit serene:
Strength for the daily task,
Courage to face the road,
Good cheer to help me bear the trav
eler's load
And for the hours of rest that come
between
An inward JOY for all things heard and
seen. Anon.
A few years ago there was a jingling
song popular with Christian Endeavor
Societies and Sunday schools-"Count
your blessings, name them one by
one The idea was better than the
poetry. 1t is good basic philosophy
for life. To exercise ones will in the
resolute recognition of the joys of ex-
| istence is to evoke new sources of
peace and power from the depths of
ones own nature The modern theory
of medicine is founded largely upon
this principle. Dwell upon the good,
and that very act will do you good.
Think bright. grateful thoughts and
your life will have added reasons for
brightness and gratitude.
Earth is an apprenticeship to heav-
en-. If we are to spend eternity there
in prasine God, would it not be SEN
l'sible to begin now to practice?
A thankful heart is greater riches
| than full purse.
| For human love, and love divine.
For love of our, and love Of Thine,
For heaven on earth and heaven above
We Thank Thee.