Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1911-12-06
Outside Point of VIEW

Unable this year-the first time since
1eOO-to hear a Thanksgiving sermon
this scribe is going to preach one. The
text is. Thanking God we are not as
other people are. The Pharisee said
something we can literally repeat with
u deyout and sincere feeling. It's
pleading for all to realize what they
have to be thankful form comparing
our lot. circumstances and environ
ment with that of others. If the wnole
world would adopt this doctrine the
word envy would soon be obsolete. And
the idea advanced here, does not In
cIude pride or Phariseeism. 1t is to be
really and truly thankful we are not SO
bad off in many ways as we might De.
and not in any particular as bad OF as
some others. Our friends, the Chris
tian Scientists, have a good thing IN
their creed which prevents some from
realizing or feeling pains and aches
which the human body is heir to. The
doctrine preached in this creed, II
adopted will prevent many having a
mental condition that is harder to hear,
than any bodily disease. 1t Is only
when we get in close touch with others
that we realize that discomfort Is the
rule and not the exception. Such per-
sons may not admit their enVious
thoughts. much less express them. but
envy occupies much more time and
space in the mental makeup OF the
average person than thankfuIness
Such persons can not be forced to IN
dulge in thankful spirit for what they
have and enjoy, but they can be forced
to admit many are worse off. We can
make them say they are thankful they
are not as other men are.
Now no sermon has any effect unless
1t is practiced. illustrations are nee
essary part Of all sermons. so let US
take up the question of money. which
is the god we more or less worship.
Suppose we start with Rockefeller, the
richest man IN the world. We can all
understand why he enjoys his Thanks
giving sermon, but today many Sec
ton man on many railroad, has more
to be thankful for than John D. Rookie
teller. The section man living and
supporting a family on $1.40 day. has
many things John D. has not. Things
Mr.. Rockefeller would give millions for.
Is there a section niaI In the United
States today who-wo1ld accept mir
aculous change and be John D. Rookie
Teller tomorrow morning? unques-
tionahly the section man would like
some Of the millions. but would he
trade even, trade the section man into
the multimillionaire. If some fairy was
ready to do the act.
Now suppose we look into Mr.. Rock
efeller's case. He has troubles OF his
own That stomach, that bald head
those years bringing him closer every
| Thanks giving 10 the common lot of al
mankind, those magazine articles. the
newspaper suuibs. those words TAINTED
money!" and surely the skeleton ir
every closet, in the rich or poor mans
house what has he to be thankful for
Much in comparison. He's alive. that!
che thing. he knows of several ricf
men who left this world since las
Thanksgiving. He can play golf, some
| OF his rich friends have the govt ant
rheumatism. He has some children n
is proud of. other rich men have dis
reputable sons and daughters. He ha!
a consciousness he is giving away mil
lions for the benefit Of mankind, whil'
some of his rich. friends are almos
nisers If John D. is wise man. n
has much cause for Thanksgiving. Ant
it is more than probable that Rookie
Teller is thankful his conscience doe
rot trouble him. ~
There's no end nor beginning to thi
lthankfulness by comparison. None ar
so low and none too high, too poor
itoo rich, sick or we'll, prosperous
1.-The reverse, successful in pursuits o
failures In life, white or black, man o
woman, young or old, unknown o
prominent, honest man or crimina
there's not a person on Gods gree
earth but what has some one or NOR
reasons to be thankful they are no
as other men are. Is this merely
sentimental talk? Make a persona
lappfication of this doctrine and own u
to yourself If to no one else.