Norwich bulletin., 1914-11-21
SUNDAY MORNING TALK
THE THANkseIvlNe oF 1at4.

It is a safe prophecy that Thanks giving will be celebrated in the United States this year with unwonted heart- mess. The American citizen need not seek far for reasons to praise God. He is thankful that an ocean rolls between him and tortured Europe He is thanK- ful that he dwells in safety under the flag that is full of stars He is thank full that on Thursday next he will not be lying in a cold, damp trench trying to kill as many as possible of his fel- low men, but gathered with his family to eat a peaceful meal, whether of two courses or of ten. The dominant mood of ninety-five millions of Americans is one of profound gratitude that our country is not at war.
 The very interruption of the familiar daily mercies of life makes us con- scious of their value. When blessings come to us ill unbroken flow we take them with dull indifference as mat ter of course. Let them be withheld and we learn a juster appreciation. It is a true adage-'BIessings brighten as they take their flight
 The miseries of our suffering neigh bors across the sea throw into high relief our own happier conditions. Even if during the past year one's plans have gone wrong. if ones health be not of the, best, even if one has met severe personal losses, he still
 
 yawned before millions abroad. One thinks of the bitter desolation in hundreds of thousands of European homes, of ruined families, of black ened towns, of lost and wandering children eating the bread of charity and thanks God that this degree of misery at least is far from him or his immediate neighbors.
 But one must beware taking too mar row and provincial view. cannot rest in snug content with my own good fortune while half the world -s turned upside down. Such an atti- tude is inhuman in it's self1shness. Is there any ground for giving thanks when we consider the conditions on the other side? There is only one possible ground that I can think of. It is that the Almighty is still in charge of affairs on this planet But for that confidence the blaclzest pes simism would be justified. No earth ly power seems able to resolve tae present chaos into order.
 Henry van Dyke tells Of riding through the bad lands of the Far West with a cowboy who looked aloft at, the heavens one starry night and re- marked, I'm glad someone bigger than you or is running this outfit'' It was the way the PsalrTlist felt wtIen he exclaimed, 'SThe Lord reigneth; let the earth rejoice It is the way the man who has moral mind must feel today. He is glad that 'the Lord reignetf." 's
 One can at least give thanks for the everything Providence of God in hu- man affairs and hold fast to the con- viction that that Providence cannot be defeated. From the dawn of history He has made the wrath of men to praise Him. Something is going to be evolved out of this travail of the na- tionS that. will set the world on ifs way forward; some reshaping of the map, some shaking of ancient thrones, some progress toward democracy, above all, such movement toward a program of peace for the nations as the resolutions and arguments and congresses of an time could never ef- feet.
 These things shall be! A loftier race
 Than e'er the. world hath known With flame of freedom in their souls
 And lights of Knowledge in their
 eyes.
 They shall be gentle, brave and strong.
 Not to spill human blood. but dare All that may plant mans lordship firm On earth and fire and sea and air. Tn such d hope one may offer his sacrifice of thanksgiving in this year l of grace and work and wait for the THE PARsoN.