The citizen., 1911-12-01
THANKSGIVING

The toll OF the summer is over. the
crops have been garnered. and it is right
and proper now. that we should stop for
a few moments and turn over thoughts
and render our thanks TO the great and
perfect Giver OF every good and noble
gilt, for the bountieS that we enjoy. and
the general prosperity Of the country.
We should be very indignant should any
one accuse Us of being ungrateful for the
iavors accorded to Us: but there is a law
OF nature that DEGREES, thar if man will
not use faculty of power, he shall not
retain Il, and the spirit of thankfulness is
not exercised as much as it should be.
In the excited and feveriSh race of life.
we simply snatch its many blessings
without stopping to think Of the source
from whence they came. and we are
slowly but surely losing this principle
OF gratitude, and as the general pros
peritv increases. we are Withdrawing
more and more into the little circle Of
sell, As we become more and more
independent of each other. we become
more and more selfish. exacting and
ungTaieiu not only towards the Lord
but towards each other But let Thanks
giving Day, remind US that we should be
grateful; and gratitude like every other
human principle, comes 10 US bv cultiva-
ton; cul iyation either from pressure of
circumstances or from self imposed dis
cIpllne. But in these prosperous times.
very few OF US take the trouble 10 I'M
pose much self discipline. or to cultivate
the noble principle OF thankiulness, but
give full rein to all OF the selfish in
stinctS Of the animal nature. and espec-
Tally the greed for money getting: and
out OF this state of affairs grow all of the
striieS of the home and country: all Of
the strikes and convulSions arising from
the contentious between capital and
labor. and all of the anarchy. which at
temptS 10 extort that which is not freely
given. and the only remedy that we can
see for this fostering state OF affairs is
some awful calamity. which shall wiring
from us the fraganCe of human sympathy,
or some tremendous impulse that will
cause the people to put check upon the
selfish propensltieS and then compel Us
to acknowledge our mutual dependence
upon each other as well as upon the
Lord OF Heaven So. welcome 10
Thanksgiving Day. and let US learn
lesson OF gratitude which shall bring us
instead OF curse, a blessing from our
universal prosperity.
As a city we have much to be thankful
for. Our public schools were never in a
better running condition-thanks to an
able board OF directors and to a thor
oughly efficient and conscientious corps
OF teachers. To the membership of our
churches large additions have been made.
and between the ministers and the men,
bers thereof, there exists at this time
hrmer bond of Christian brotherhood
than ever before. The fraternal orders
also have enjoyed unprecedented acquisi
tlonS to their membership.
In the administration of our city gov.
eminent we have occasion for pride and
gratitude. Efficiency. honesty and pro
gressiveness have marked the conduct
OF our municipal servants In man fold
regards we have been blessed abund-
antly.
With this CHEEKY and appreciative
spirit, therefore, let US celebrate the
national holiday. Let us enjoy it to the
full. from turkey and cranberry sauce TO
the good natured discussion Of the lively
election that has Just been concluded.
And with all Of our table bounty and
good cheer in the domestic circle. let us
not forget that the occasion is peculiarly
one for the Frightening of the lives of
others less fortunate than ourselves "A
day for the practical bur unostentatious
bestowal of charity.