The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1912-11-28

IuS' ~ 8SdIltu0o 10 0O0 70 CVttl'
plete without an outgoing to human
need. Our highest appreciation OF
God and His gifts. includes the giving
Of ourselves to our fellow-men. Sell
fshness Ia an migrate. The misery
soul which boards Gods gifts and will
not use them. has q thanksglv.
Ing day. He who will not keep his
t te'lS% . can have no anthem Of praise
And the obligation Of gratitude bids
US not only to distribute in the COM
mon charities in giving the literal
bread to the literally starving ones.
but also In q higher sphere. In a con-
s%ecration Of our lives to nobler en-
deavors.. making the most Of all our
powers Of good toward human socie-
praiseful to God, IL we advocate any
good cause. II we help onward any
b~enehcient work. We must distribute
our good doing through the widest
possible circle. As Christians and as
citizens we must live the unselfsh life.
Now In h Acknowledgement of
Gods goodness. I desire to indicate the
direction In which the mind should
move in order to give thanks for the
national blessings Of the past year.
Two things we should keep in mind.
We must for n thing. keep in view
the fact that the nation has obligations
to God that are as real as those that
belong to the individual or to the
family. Our laws. u constitution,
Y social customs and our general
word. We have besought Gods bless
ing in our legislative ana political Is
semblies and reformatory institutions,
have used the oath in Dur civil courts:
have incorporated the principles Of
Christian morality in our laws, and
have observed from year to year, this
day OF Thanksgiving to God for his
preserving and directing providence.
God regards. blesses and watches over
us in u organized capacity. This ma
ton has a life Of its W by which 1t
Is separated from every other people.
However complex the elements that
enter into our citizenship. God looks
upon and deals with us as a unit.
There are those who refuse to see
God marking the fall Of a sparrow or
leading a little child, who readily ac-
knowledge his guiding hand in the
movements of q great people. But IL
such be the case, only the nation az a
whole can suitably return thanksgiv-
Ing to God for such blessings. We
are not. therefore to measure our
reasons for gratitude today, chiefly by
the blessings that have come to US al
individuals. or even as a community,
SNs ~ "sAo O Olii " 0S Al COIlls
mon with the whole people. We have
come by Inheritance into the enjoy
ment Of the freedom and peace and
plenty enjoyed in our land. These
are to us the gifts of God. They are
not Of u own devising but have
come to vi in the ordering Of Provi-
dence. Instead Of being circumstance
ed as the unfortunate people Of 9TH
er lands. whore there is privation Or
oppression. God put 1t into the hearts
OF our fathers to found our nation on
the principles Of Christian morality.
Much to Be Thankful For
The Hottentot has the overarching
sky and h green earth, with its food
and Its changing seasons for which
to be thankful-but we have in addi-
ton. individual security, social eNjoy-
ment, education. culture and civil and
religious liberty. Every one Of these
blessings comes to US through the
doors Of the nation. Having been
nation, we are in the enjoyment of
these things. Therefore the nation
has obligations to God. And I take
1t that you and I are asked by our
chief magistrate to give thanks today.
not so much as a man, but rather as
a citizen and we can find reasons sui
icient for joining in the grand strain
OF national thanksgiving.
A second thing to be kept in mind
IL h q We are to think Of what God
has done for us a. q people and no,
upon the deeds Of men. There is q
great temptation, too often yielded to,
to make such a day az this the occa-
sion for reviewing those evils Of our
national and individual and family life
for which the ignorance. self1shnest
and passions OF men are responsible;
but this would be to run counter to
the very intent and spirit Of the APP
peal that has brought us together.
There Is enough in such things to
humble US In the dust as q people,
but these things must be laid at the
door Of men and not due to the God
and maker of us all.
We are called upon today to see
the form Of God entering in among
these imperfections and pouring upon
us the bounties of His favor. The de-
fects, the ulcers and wounds of socie-
ty are man's-the blessings are tho
Lords.
Then, whether we look to what we
have been spared. or to the provisions
God has given this people for the
spirit. or to our security in the en-
joyment of these, We have abundant
reason for thankfulness.
H hath strengthened the bars of
the gates. He hath blessed thy chill
dren within thee. He maketh peace
In thy borders and illeth thee with the
finest Of the wheat"
AS individuals let us exclaim:
Bless he Lord, o my soul and all
that is within me. bless His holy
name. Bless the Lord. o my soul, and
forget not all His benefits, who for
giveth all thine iniquities, who lead
eth all thy diseases; who redeemeth
thy life from distinctions; who crown
eth thee with loving Kindness and
tender mercies."
As citizens let us feel and utter
the sentiments of the author of "An
American Hymn"
God save native land,
And make her strong to stand
For truth and right.
Long may her banner wave.
Flag of the free and brave,
Thou who alone canst save.
Grant her thy might.
Ever from sea to sea
May law and liberty
Ger all prevail.
Wher'er the rivers flow
Wher'er the breezes blow,
May love and Justice grow,
And never fail.
In living unity.
May all her people be
Kept evermore.
from hence on every side,
May freedoms swelling tide.
Roll grandly. far and wide,
To every shore.