Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1914-11-24

thing give thanks >
Il Thessaloniuns
5:1S.
Reviewing brief
ly the condition Of
the world, the
- 93 speaker declared
(lRA2lSyk k0o9tlllJ that 1t must be a
difficult matter for
the majority or people to determine
correctly the nature of the thanks they
would offer to God. Three hundred
and fifty millions Of humanity, our
blood relatives, are at war, seeking to
destroy each other. Ninety million
Americans, deeply interested in them,
are invited by our Honorable President
and the Governors Of our several states
80 render thanks to the Almighty
Truly, we have many causes for
thanksgiving to our Creator; life itself
is a blessing, II boon; our nation in
many respects is the most favored on
the face Of the earth, enriched by
Gods bounty above all others, not
the least OF our blessings. being our
civil and religious liberties.
Surely no one Of even average heart
and head has cause for other than
great thankfulness to our Creator
"0ur lines have fallen to MS in plens.
ant places" Those who feel no graft
tude are surely soured by discomfort
the frultage of ignorance, sel6shness
and sin. How appropriate, then, that
each and all bow heart and head be.
fore the Glver Of every good and perfect
gift! TO whatever extent this course
be followed heartily without hypoc.
rlSy, undoubtedly blessing will re.
suit, individually and nationally, The
custom Is beautiful one.
There Is difference between thanks
giving and prayer. None have the
right or the privilege Of approaching
the Throne OF Heavenly Grace except
those who have come into covenant re.
lntlOnship with God The Jews came
into covenant relationship with God
through their Law Covenant by Divine
arrangement through Moses. The fol-
lowers OF Jesus, who nc0ept the Divine
arrangement Of the Gospel Age, are
privileged thus to come into relation.
ship with the Creator through Him,
He IL our Advocate, who has opened
up for us new and living way,
through the sacrifice Of His flesh All
whom the Father has accepted through
Him-all whom the Father has begot.
ten by His Holy Spirlt--are Scriptural.
ly termed sons OF God, children OF God,
heirs Of God. joint.heIrs with Jesus
Christ their Lord,-l John 81; Romans
5i7.
These are invited 20 come to their
Father and to address Him thus. "Our
Father who art in Heaven" and to
ask for the blessings which God has
provided for His children, according
to His Divine purposes and arrange
ments. But none Others are permitted
to come to this Throne OF Grace, be.
cause not In covenant relationship with
the Savior, because in Gods arrange
ment "There is mono other name given
In Heaven or amongst men, whereby
we may bo saved" from our sins, or
be brought into relationship with God.
Thus we see that only a limited mum.
ber may enjoy the privileges Of prayer
or expect answers TO their prayers.
But, thank God, others may worship
and bow down. Come, let Ds wor.
ship and bow down; let us kneel be.
fore the Lord our Maker" Many have
this privilege, and the exercise OF II is
sure to bring II blessing, Whoever has
thankful heart, which takes delight
In Offering worship to the Glver Of
every good gift, will surely receive a
reflex blessing. His love Of righteous.
ness and truth, holiness and goodness,
mercy and justice, viii thereby be
strengthened; aud 30 also viii DO the
probability OF his some day reaching
the point where he will See the wis.
dOm ana the deSirability OF giving hla
hcart-his little ALTO the Lord In con.
eccrotlon-to be a faithful footstep FOL
lower Of the Redecmer
Giving Thanks For the War.
Very evidently the majority OF man
kind have an lnsutllclcncy OF knowl.
edge Of God, OF the Bible, and OF the
Divine Plan therein set forth, to thank
God for the present state OF war hut
to the Church, whose eyes of under.
standing have been opened and who
nrc able to SEQ the lengths and tho
brCadths, the heights and the depths,
VI Gods Love IN the Message OF the
Bible, St Paul writes; '1n everything
give thanksr
Ripe Christians have learned 10 give
Trunks TO Cod for the adversltics Of
life In their own experiences, convlnc.
cd that under Gods supervision tho
dlrest OF calamltles may be ovcrrulcd
for good to His people aud for glory TO
His nnnD Qui nniv Tho ndVnurnd tho