Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-11-27

mercies.
Gratitude an Emotion.
Gratitude is an emotion and thanks
giving is its expression. Indeed, the
graceful return OF grateful acknowl.
edgement is one of the most beautiful
responses that mark the intercourse
OF life. / have no dirge TO sing OF
gratitude as an impaired sense or OF
thanksgiving as a lost art. A few
hearts may be dead 10 what is due
for blessings enjoyed, but in the main
humanity is sensitive TO the gentle
touch OF kindness. There Is a natural
obligation TO give thanks but the CRATE
full heart thinks more OF the privi-
lege than OF the duty. The act. prac-
tice or exercise OF returning thanks
is agreeable TO our better feelings.
The ungrateful must have short men,
cries for we need noe live long to
find ourselves deeply in debt to many
benefactors. Let our appreciation of
benefits always have full and free ut
terance. This day is an occasion not
for more enjoyment OF good things but
for hearty expression OF thankfulness.
But our national festival aims TO
give a religious turn TO our gratitude.
While this is a day OF joyous fe<sting
such delights are only incidental TO
the main purpose. We are summoned
to something higher than the mere
animal pleasure OF enjoying the meats
of competence or luxury. something
better than a day of for indulgence in
sports. Far better than the sense of
creature comfort and the thrill of
healthful life are the friendly con-
verse and social fellowship and fam
lily rallies OF this day. and better still
Is IL to realize that even every earthly
benefit which We enjoy is also heav-
emily blessing The keynote of this day !
Is devoutness OF gratitude. Thanks |
giving without sincere and practical !
piety. without real and true religion. !
would be a mere form without spirit /
1r life.
Remember the Poor.
4 good dinner and good feeling and
glad greeting with a happy sense OF
all is we'll and that the store room OF
mother. nature is well filed is not all .
here is to A genuine Thanksgiving.
IL is in season to be taken stock OF
sarth's material abundance and esti-
mating the food supply OF the nation
md of the world. Let it be remember
ID also that scarcity and sorrow still
ire sombre and shabby visitors in
many a home. And as long as the hui
name instincts lie close to the relig-
Gus sense let the sad and the poor
,e given a place in our thoughts this
lay. and let compassion and self-denial
or them be mingled with our own self.
And while we think OF natures kind
Jess we must look through nature up
o natures God. To Mahomet there
vas no god but God. And 20 the
'hristian God alone is the ultimate I
ource of all that commands our graft ,
1de and He alone is the worthy re-
intent of our thanksgivings. Relig-
On relates us TO God. And We must
ave a personal terminal to whom
ur highest praises and sincerest {
hanks are directed. II is not the gov.
rnors or president whose call we heed !
oday but the benefcient heavenly I
ather whose gifts we receive and en- I
~ that must have the chief place '
, our thoughts. II this day does not I
ring the soul face 20 face with God I
imseIf the giver OF all good II has Z
fled of its purpose. Whatever debt q
: gratitude we may owe TO men and o
iinrs past or present our ultimate O
litigation Is TO our great and good
Father. We do not vaguely e
,ank heaven or bless our stars. or p
ace our good fortune TO luck. but c
,vfully and reverently do we praise a
III
Our Lord Jesus Christ the same yes o
rday. today and forever. the new 81
ID living way OF access 10 God the v
ie mediator between God and man. v
the necessary and acceptable med e
m through whom all human praises n
ID PRAYERS are communicated TO God 8,
. ever iiveth TO make intercession :,
r US. No man cometh unto tht a
,ther but by him. And he that COM u
b TO God through him will n no Z,
Ise be cast out. The thanksgiving a
hich IL distinctively religious and n
tristan Is thus addressed TO God the "
lther through Jesus Christ the Son r,
ir text sets this truth IN the very N
re-front OF fits instruction. Through al
m then let US OFFER our Joyful sacri- 8,
e OF thanksgiving 20 God this day. b,
ere We 20 seek 10 approach our pres &,
emit or any OF the great ones OF earth n
; would ind them hedged about and III
single way left open through which e,
ey might be properly reached. And In
ID has set before US one open door al
Jesus Christ And how assuring 81
d inviting that single avenue OF ap- of