Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-11-24

seem easy of attainment, so neces-
sary and appropriate is il. 1t IS
easier for some than for others and
the difference has very little to do
with the conditions in which men
are placed We find thankfulness
where the benefits are few, and find
the lack of it where they are many.
1t is rather in the disposition than
the estate, that the variation exists.
Several causes combine to prevent
thankfulness. Thus. we are not
aware of the good which is given
to US and do not appreciate the ia
vors we receive.
I'VE feel the want of those which
are denied more than the possession
of those which are ours. The I'M
certainty with which blessings are
held lessons their value in our
thought. We have so much to do
in making. earning. deserving them
that this seems the principal rea-
son for their coming and we do not
feel called upon to recognize the
good will without which our eXer-
tions would be fruitless.
Occasion For Gratitude.
But Notwithstanding all this, it
is not difficult for every devout per-
son to think of many reasons for
gratitude, this beautiful Thanksgiv-
ing day. They loom up before Us
in such numbers that we cannot
enumerate them all. Let us think
then for a few moments upon some
of the many things which constantly
call for thankfulness to the great
Oliver of every good and perfect
gift and call upon everyone of us.
Il. Our life. There is our life
itself. our life in it's real character.
1t is our portion of the life which is
from the beginning and is the life
of all that lives. 1t is far more
than being, existence, it is divine
and permanent The description
given at the opening of human his
tory in the book of Genesis is true
to the facts, however realistic the
form may be. The Eternal breathes
Of His own life into the creature of
dust. and man becomes a living
soul. II might have pleased our
Creator to have done otherwise.
But He has in love given His best,
given of Himself. to one who can
think, reason. will, can enjoy, and
make glad: can love and be loved.
We are so familiar with our selves
that we often fail to realize how
really great we are, and to let our
divine powers have the use which
Will employ and enlarge them. If
we are able we should pause
every morning as the new day
breaks and sing a psalm to cele-
brate ourselves, our being, the
greatness and gladness of life.
"Once more the earth has re-
sponded generously to the labor of
the husbandmen and there is album
dance for man and beast. The fields
in their seasons have yielded their
crops; our barns are full and the
pastures are covered with f1ocks;
our mines have yielded their wealth
and everywhere honest labor
has found remuneration. No devas-
tation, pestiIence nor other destruc-
tive agency has visited our country.
There is every reason why the peo-
pie of this country should be de-
voutly thankful. The past year has
been one Of the best in our history.
At Peace with World.
Eve are at peace with ourselves
and with the world. Our elections
have been held and our people have
willingly settled down to business
again, content to abide by the rule
of the majority. The government
has no enemies threatening it,
either from without or from within.
Our facilities for getting the most
out of life have increased by II
months of progress. so that it is
worth more to live now than at any
other period of the worlds history.
For all these things the American
citizen is and should be devoutly
grateful.
THE only shadow that rests upon
our nations prosperity is thE
which is cast by our own greed and
seIfshness. OF all people, on the
face of the earth, we Americans
have the greatest reasons for
thankfulness. Think for a mo-
ment of territory, climate and
resources. Think of the 100000
square miles of territory in these
United States. Europe, not including
Russia, has only 100000 square
miles and has 240,O0O,0OO of people
living in it. Illinois and Iowa together
have almost one-ninth the area of It
ally, and yet, with the most fertile soil
in the world, these states have only
between five and six millions of in
habitants to the 2S,000.O0O of italy.
The whole vast region reaching from