Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1914-11-27

sSzz-ez.=lz z--e of tbe world. the
tkaslSlR Rg5SklLlI Pastor declared
that it must be
difficult for the majority 20 determine
correctly the nature of the thanks they
would offer to God Three hundred
ana fifty millions Of humanity. our
blood relatives. are seeking to destroy
each other Ninety million Americans.
deeply Interested in them. are invited
by our Honorable President ana the
Governors Of our several states to rem
der thanks to the Almighty. Truly. we
have many causes for thanksgiving to
our Creator: life Itself is blessing;
our nation in many respects is the most
favored not the least of blessings be-
ing our civil and religious liberties.
Surely our lines have fallen to US
in pleasant places. Those who feel
no gratitude are surely soured by dis
content. the fruitage Of ignorance. self
ishness. sin. How appropriate. then.
that each bow heart and head before
the Giver of every good and perfect
gift! To whatever extent this course
be followed heartily, without hypOc-
risy, undoubtedly a blessing will re-
suit. individually and nationally.
Who May Pray7
There is Il difference between thanks
giving and prayer None have the
right or privilege of approaching the
Throne of Heavenly Grace except those
La.
tionship with God. The Jews came
into covenant relationship with God
through their Law Covenant by Divine
arrangement through Moses. Follow
ers of Jesus. who accept the Divine ar
rangement. are privileged thus to come
into relationship with the Creator
through Him. He has opened up for
Us a new and living way through the
sacrifice of His flesh.
All whom the Father has accepted
through Him. and besotten by the Holy
Spirit, are Scripturaly termed sons of
God. children OF God Il John 81; Ro-
mans SID These are invited to come
to their Father and to address Him
AS Our Father which art in Heaven
and to ask for the blessings which God
has provided for His children, accord
iug to His purposes and arrangements.
But none others are permitted TO come
10 the Throne of Grace. because not in
covenant relationship with the Savior.
Thus we see that only limited num-
Der may enjoy the privilege OF prayer
or expect answers to their prayers
But. thank God. others may worship
and bow down. Many have this priv /
lege. and the exercise Of it is sure to
bring blessing. Whoever has Il
thankful heart which takes delight in
offering worship to God will surely be
strengthened in righteousness.
Giving Thanks For War.
Very evidently the majority of man
kind have an insuHiciency of knowl- /
edge of God. of the Bible and of the /
Divine Plan therein set forth. to thank
Sod for the present state of war. But /
to the Church. whose eyes OF under 1
standing have been opened, st. Paul .
writes. In everything give thanks"
Ripe Christians have learned TO
thank God for life's adversities, con-
yinced that the direct calamity may be
oyerruled for good to His people and
glory TO His name. But only advanc-
ed Christians can give thanks for trials
and testings Similarly in respect to
the great European war now in prog
sess. only the well-instructed of Gods
people may understand the Divine ar
so thoroughly as to be
able to give thanks respecting the war
able to exercise faith that the out
rome will mean blessings of instruction
and preparation for future blessings.
If the Scriptures did not foretell this
time of world wide distress of ma
TONS" we might not know that God
had foreseen it and had provided Tor
is results. But the same Bible that
ioretells the war tells of its results,
saying. "When the judgments of the
ord are abroad in the earth. the in
Dabitants of the world will learn right
,uspess." Moreover. it tells that the
var is merely the outgrowth of human
ignorance. superstition and
'alse doctrine. and assures us that al
hough it will lead on TO revolution,
lnarchy and the utter wreck OF the
PRESENT civilization. nevertheless God
s prepared for the emergency.
The hour having come for Messiah
0 take control, He will stand forth and {
xclaim to the raging elements of the {
estless human sea. peace, Be still"
md there will be a great calm.
Those who see the war from this
iewpoint may indeed give thanks. re-
oicing that the reign Of Sin and
Death will soon be ended. that Gods
will come and His will be
ono on earth. even as in Heaveni t