La Junta tribune., 1911-11-25
THANKS SEWING
BY {. A. Crooks.

The consideration OF plans for
public services on Thanksgiving Day
BY the local Minister'S Association
brought up the subject OF better
observance Of the day. The president
Of the association was appointed to
present the subject to the consider
ation OF the community through the
public press.
national thanksgiving. annually
observed. is exclusively an American
institution. As every school child
will tell you 1t originated with the
Pilgrim fathers. When they had har-
vested their first scant crop. wrunK
from the reluctant soil by hard labor.
they observed day Of public thanks
giving We would. however. misin.
terpret the institution II we should
brand 1t As Puritan. The circum-
stances OF Its origin was one OF
those happy moods out OF which
come institutions that express nation
tive in this matter the Pilgrims gave
expression to the deep Christian
spirit that actuated all the founders
of the American republic. Daniel
Webster once said that the Ameri.
can republic was founded on religious
sentiment The annual observance OF
Thanksgiving IL one OF the express
stons OF this underlying fact. II is
an expression OF the Christian senti-
ment of the American people.
AS the name indicates. the day
has a deep religious significance. II
IL an expression of gratitude TO the
Heavenly Father for the many bene-
factions bestowed on us through His
Son As national institution II
p an expression Of the fact that the
Nation. as such. is indebted to God
for its happiness and prosperity.
Thanksgiving is one Of the most ex-
has made America great. and II Is
most becoming thing that day
should be observed annually as an ex-
precision of gratitude to God for His
goodness Great leaders OF thought
are telling MS that Christianity is
essential to the perpetui,y Of our
republic. We need a devout obscrv.
ance Of Thanksgiving as ore of the
means OF cultiyating national Chris.
tianity.
How should the day be observed?
Tho proclamation of the president.
setting apart the day. advises that
the people assemble In their accus-
toned places Of worship for a relis.
ious service without this public
religious fsature II could not. with
propriety. be- On led Thanksgiving.
The meleer handful that usually
gathers In our churches for this ser.
vice does not speak well for the
gratitude q the American y oplc In
stead OF a union service with Il small
ATTENDANCE every church should be
crowded 70 Us capacity for this ser
vice. VIII not the people OF In
1unta observe the coming day OF
thanksgiving by largely increased at
tendance on the worship of the morn
ing.
Thanksgiying Is also a home day II
is appropriately used for family re-
unions. but the preparation for these
should not Interfere with publ wor-
ship of the day They may be- made
To harmonic beautifully with ils
religious spirit,
Wholesome rccr, alton is not out Of
harmony with the spirit OF the day.
but the hilari,y Of an ordinary hoi'
iday Is not In keeping with the spir
II Of devotion that should character.
lie IL. The dissipation that some
times mars II IS a piece of sacriles"'
\ day of gratitude TO God for His
blessings cannot be properly observed
without remembering the poor aud
the unfortunate. Let us gladden. the
hearts OF the needy by sharing our
plenty with them.
In this year Of grace and OF the
bounty OF God can We not have
srsi.. L.. L. l.... "a