The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1913-11-20
THANKSGIVING.

Next Thursday VIII De thanksgiving
Day; but the days preceding it may we'll
be days of reflection and preparation for
what should be a solemn season OF reJolc-
ing, not so much in the sense of hilarity as
in the sense of acknowledgement OF an
everything Providence and our constant
dependence upon it.
At the moment wide spread disturbance
among the people of Mexico is taxing the
craftsmanship of our Government, and
minor matters of unrest and anxiety and
discomfort of abnormal conditions tend to
divert mems minds from the thoughts most
becoming to the day; but still moments
retrospect reveals year rich in blessings.
A people to whom has been vouchsafed
plentiful harvest, to whom the opportunity
for work was open with the offer OF liberal
wages, who have been visited by no scourge
of disease, and whose future seems to be
secure, have abundant cause to be thank
full; and the sin of thanklessness should be
stranger to their thoughts.
If a momentary arrest of the tide OF pros
perity-bearing the perils of pride and in
ordinate f-confidence-causes US to
pause for reflection and to 60 forward with
a sober and steadier pace, little time will
teach us that this, too, is cause for thanks
giving, and that it was after all the hand
of loving kindness that held US back from
the precipice beyond which lay the chasm
of ruin and anguish. To be saved from
''the falsehood of extremes" means much
to nation, and should awaken glad Ie
Deums in the hearts of all the people.
Perhaps there is nothing for which we
should be more thankful than for the
strength we possess to meet the future. As
the garnered fruits of the field give assur-
ance that the needs of the body will be
supplied, the experiences of the past year
and its fore-runners give assurance thai
diligence and earnestness and right think
ing in the performance our duties as citi.
zens and neighbors will promote peace anc
order in the State and advance it's pros.
perity and wealth in such fashion that al
will share it. And 80 useless antagonisms
will subside as the years go by, men work.
ing side by side will come to know eacl
other better, and all will be stronger be-
cause each helps the other.
But all these things depend in large
measure than we are accustomed to believe
upon the spirit in which men accept tn
gracious gifts of Providence. In the flusl
of success we are often tempted to regar'
ourselves as the architects of our for
tunes;" in moments of anger or depres
sion, we often blame others for the conse
quences of our own weakness or folly
But the genuine success which brings t
one the regard and confidence of his fellow
comes from following the laws of God i
the upbulding of character, and failur
from the violation Of them. Whatever
therefore, we gain as life moves on is caus
for thanksgiving; and amid the rejoicin
of the day and the plenty of the feast l.
US not forget to remember with reverer
gratitude the Great Giver who sends tn
latter and the early rain, and has declare
that "While the earth remaineth, seedtim
and harvest, and cold and heat, and sum
mer and winter, and day and night, sha
not cease"