The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1909-12-03
THANKSGIVING THOUGHTS

> The springtime is promise; the au
> tumn fulfillment. The beautiful
month of November is the harves
time. 1t is the time of reaping tina
which has been sown. The fruits ar,
being harvested. Therefore after thC
waiting time, when fair faith anC
hope beckOn onward, it is very meet
that we should give thanks for al
blessings. Every day is a Thanksgiv
ing day, and the habit of thankfulness
should be ours, and it is true that the
more we remember blessings the more
we have. One day of thanksgiving a
year would do little good to him who
registers a series of complaints and
/ frOwns all the other days in the year.
/ But the government in setting aside
one special day for this purpose, has
added one more American blessing
for which to give thanks. So we shall
be thankful, first of all, for Thanks
giving Day, the day which stands for
a thankful spirit 1t is the day of
feasting and joyousness, and every
truly happy and appreciative thought
is prayer
Even in the saddest life there are
many causes for thankfulness. Many
bright spots may be found to tighten
the darkness, if only they are looked
for. Even sorrows are sometimes
blessings in disguise. Let us, then,
be even thankful for these, for they
can help in the truest DEVELOPMENT of
character, of heart and soul. If one
is in need of sympathy and help one
does not go to those whom fortune |
has always favOred-but to those who /
like ones self have suffered-and /
won. To the man and woman who I'M
1erstands. One of the greatest caus-
rs for a thankful spirit is the posses
sion of friends-the old and the new.
And best of all, nothing changes true
friendship. We know that in happi-
less and troubles alike they are our
'omrades-these friends who are
worthy of that sacred name and who
lwayS are ready with a smile or a
warm hand clasp TO render the sum-
nit less hard to climb. If friends were
ven the only blessings it would be
Efficient to take up the entire day
Or rejoicing.
But this is only the beginning AS
are the beginning and {
Of all blessings in life, OF |
'ligiOn, and of all that is good. ii is !
ght that they should be given the
ost important place. The universal ,
iendship and charity to the whole :
orld was first and always taught by g
lie great teacher. the Christ. r
FOR wholesome sincerity we shall S
thankful also. There is something {
'out this virtue which compensates
r deficiencies in other things. The a
ord sincere is made of two words I,
ne meaning without, and cere mean =
2 wax-wfthOut wax, transparent p
ID pure. Sincerity inspires conf n,
nee, and we are thankful for those 81
whom we may have confidence. Is b;
the American Thanksgiving very of
nderful thing? hi
Part Of the routine of the Thanks u
ing Day is the dinner. when all the "
ar ones are happily gathered around co
table at mothers or grandmoth- IA
S. Of all the steaming delicious
hes, the turkey seems the greatest
importance. Then such pumpkin
and mince pie, plum pudding and 10
the other dishes tradition has
lded down TO us for the feast. We
give thanks for the homes. IN,
ere the old fashioned dinner bol
athes the spirit of true thankful q"
5. The table, of course, is adorn- pie
With fruits and grain and the corn
oh has been shrOuded in mystery "li'
suspicion by the pellagra alarm, &c ~,
at least serve splendidly in dec h.,t
ion of the table and room. Inc.
hen, when Thanksgiving Day is brj,
ring its end. the family gathers hal
md the old fashioned fireplace. hoy
its cheerily flaming logs. if the Tia
ling happens to be cool. if not. wee
ever comfortable porch is used. i'ei'
n the old days are talked over in ,rI7,,
art to heart way, which promotes nro,
greatest happiness. and the day for
IS with a deep sense of gratitude
every blessing, however small
inc Browne Hazen. in Tampa
une ma
the