The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1909-11-22
THANKSGIVING MEDITATION.


Contemplating the approach of
make careful scrutiny Of my
thoughts; for / am aware that. In
common with many others. no small
Part If my thankfuness lies ordinar-
lily ia my hus-eunscionanrss Sell
dom do I consciously enumerate To
myself list OF things for which /
am thankful: yet ! am sure that my
prevailing state of mind liz one OF
gratitude. / find myself happy and
hopeful and trustfuI. and l am con-
scious of aspirations toward character
and service which grow higher with
the passing months.
But il is well NOW and then, to be
specific, t. 80 somewhat into detail.
in ones thankfuin.ss; and the an
nuaily recurring Thanksgiving season
offers every encouragement to this
end. Hence ! look within to examine
my thoughts. and To read there aloud.
so that my own ears may hear the
main reasons for my thankfulness
Standing apart from the above all
Others is my home. made sweet and
happy and helpful by the companion
ship Of - true and noble wife, and en-
IN'h'h DS tl' PRESENCE OF tilitE
sweet. healthy children-a home at
mosphere unclouded, and frightened
by mutual love and trust If the
means are lacking To provide some
comforts and pleasures which others
enjoy, still ! and my family have
enough to eat and to wear. and a
comfortable roof over our heads. Next,
find myself thinking of my work !
Il has =
ly. ! have sacrificed for it, II brings
me no wealth i'm return-only liv-
ing: yet ! feel rich in the results Of |
II. IL is hard work; but ii Is d work
OF great opportunity. and ] am thank /
ful for IT,
Then l see passing before me in !
mental review the faces of my friends. /
How many there are, Many are here. /
and many are widely scattered They |
differ greatly one from another; yet !
each is contributing something to the |
enlargement or the enrichment of my |
life. ] am thankful for them; and | |
pray to be increasingly worthy Of 1
them. After my friends / find my I
self thinking Of the place In which \
live. Ii Is beautiful place Its
location is strategic and its surround
ings are exceptionally picturesque. It's +
natural advantages are many In
1t Is spirit of energy and expect
ancy. a purpose of accomplishment,
which II does one good to breathe.
IL Is like tonic. | cannot be n
pessimist while ! live here. Moreover,
II is located In Il rich and ambitious
state. and IL part Of mighty and a
manly nation. / am thankful for any
As foundation and background
for all these Is God. am most
thankful for Him. l am thankful that
know Him as my Father. NY con-
seriousness of Him increases my en-
josment of all other blessings In
deed. II enables me to see that some
things are blessings. at which other
wise ! would be tempted To complain,
For God has given life to my dear
ones and my friends. rs well as to
and He is the Father of us
all IL was He Who Instituted the
family, and made il the first and
greatest of all human institutions, II
was He who piled un yonder mighty
hi.is. and the snow-capped mountains
which cross our state NV conscious
ness of Him and my faith in Him
give unity and reason To all my re-
lations ana activities. and project my
vision into the great life beyond
where am assured Of blessings
greater than any | now enjoy. Thus
am thankful To God for all my
blessings; but most nj all for Him
self because He is the greatest of all
blessings =
These meditations are put down in
The first person in the hope that as
each reader follows the lines they
may seem Ia him as though they Were
his own.