Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1911-11-30
Mr.. Martins Address.

most evident and powerful forces in the
progress o& the worlds civilization. 1t
can be distinctly traced from the very
beginnings Of life. It was in the begin
ming with God. It came out from God:
IL part Of his nature, and therefore
where gratitude is found there God is.
1t runs out thru or along the lines Of
the material universe. It's more evil
dent In the forms of animate life-in
the vegetable, more so in the animal
Kingdom. but most apparent in man.
This spirit, manifesting itself in the
very earliest traces Of human life, has
continued to rise steadily but certainly
thru the countless ages. It gathered
volume and velocity, ever widening its
course. and like other world forces
has transformed the deserts Of human
society until today they are verify
blossoming as the rose.
Tho gratitude and love Of God,
which Christ SO fully manifested to the
world and put into practice. has never
been more effective in the progress Of
the worlds civilization than on this
Thanksgiving day. In other words. the
heart OF man was never SO considerate
of the welfare and happiness of his
fellows, never SO tander and thoughtful
and ready to minister to the worlds
.1eeds. as today.
"And these evidences are meanwhile
occasion for our Thanksgiving and
gratitude: International arbitration and
peace, which means the cessation OF
war and the prospect Of union Of the
great world powers not unlike the I'M
son Of states, higher standards of in
tegrity and the spirit of square deal
in business interests. the triumph OF
the cause Of temperance. the protection
of womanhood, the Justice of the courts.
the increased interest In charity and
philanthropy by gifts and institutions.
the Increased interest in religion and
the church by men. broader tolerance
in religion and greatly increased
concern In the missionary enterprise.
These. and many other things justi-
~ the claim that gratitude is mighty
factor in the developing and redeem
ing Of the race, which is another way
Of speaking Of the progress Of civiliza-
ton.
II am not unmindful Of the great
and powerful forces which are at work
to oppose the progress of gratitude,
and all good forces. and feel them as
keenly az any. But since they are
getting a pretty good share of atten-
ton now thru the press and pulpit and
will be emphasized In many Thanks
giving sermons. / prefer at this time
to emphasize the power Of the great
positive and winning forces In the
triumphs of civilization.
'If, however the spirit Of gratitude
is to continue to triumph, it must do
SO thru the life Of this generation.
This includes each Individual of#this
generation. which means you and.m
My chief concern always. and especi-.
ally 1T this Thanksgiving time, onghts
to be how large place does this spirit.
Of gratitude have in my life, not pro-
fessionally and In talk, but in my
whole life and action? The spirit of
gratitude viii have no larger place. and
he no more powerful in. our generation
and age, than It is in the individual
life, in your life and mine. On the
other hand, It will be just as IL is now
in your life and mine.
Judging from the attitude, conduct,
and speech Of some Of this generation
this spirit II being greatly retarded,
and has comparatively small place in
their lives. When 80 many seem to
accept, and often anxiously, the gifts
and favors Of others. Of institutions and
Of God, with no thought in the slight
est degree Of expressing their appreci-
alton.
1--WE are all acquainted with them.
They. or some Of this class, seem to
think those who can and do bestow
gifts and favore upon them ought to
md sufficient compensation in the
privilege Of doing so. Probably as
someone has put II, Tngratitude is
the basest sin Of the race Many un-
appreciated fayors and kindnesses are
bestowed by nearest and dearest
friends.
Then another type Of ingratitude is
when we act as tho. when we paid for
favors or services, that was enough.
How many hearts are grieved and
crushed because some one has failed.
either wilnllly or otherwise, tosexpress
the spirit OF gratitude by word Of act.
II God IL capable of being disappoiTt
ed. how this attitude must grieve Him.
He 50 constantly and abundantly be-
slows Of his love and strength, bn:
how often We forget to express our
! EFnyiludes eitileS w = ord or deed.
Hut on the other hand how many.
1ideed nultitudes Of this and every