Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1914-11-21
REFLECTIONS ON THE MEANING
OF THANKSGIVING OBSERVANCE
Gratitude Alike of Interest individuals and
the National Life

maintained by the American people.
The consciousness Of dependence on
God so manifested in the early life
of the colonists and of the nation in
the days of its establishment has con-
tinued In spirit. To this is to be
credited in large measure the progress
the nation has made. The nation has
had a good religious inheritance. II
is not alone the degree of progress
and blessings of harvests during the
past year that should evoke thanks
| giving. but the whole course OF the
national development as well, the
character of government. the spirit OF
good will the present outlook, the po-
| litical and religious freedom, the
economic, educational. social and
moral forces at work for the better,
all that constructively are building
the nation, are subjects for thanks
giving.
The Spiritual Director.
That God has been the historical
and spiritual director of this nation
is a reason for thanksgiving, and
more than this. that He has an in
terest in the progress of the nation
and is planning greater things for u
is an added reason for grateful
thought In this season. That every
patriotic citizen may SO shape his life
as to be a factor in the divine plan
ming and may share in the larger
building of the nations life, Is
something of personal reason for Join
ing with others In thanksgiving. The
great end Of nation is to fulfill the
divine purposes of life. The nation
Is not an end in itself. Its end is not
the realization of law, or justice In
this narrow sense; nor is II the pro-
lection of property, nor even public
welfare, though all these ends are
included. The end OF the nation Is to
develop all its capacities and to per-
feet Its life and this can proceed only
! as there is the realization Of the d.
i vine purposes of all life. II the
American nation is fulfilling the con-
ditions essential TO attain this end,
then the greatest reason is found for
being thankful.
The Nations Assets.
Moral and spiritual health is not
to be overlooked in counting ones
blessings. He who comes TO this
season with no regrets, or few, IN
this matter has exclusive right to be
grateful. The nation that is morally
and spiritually sound has the assur-
ance OF perpetuity. A nation may
have the greatest crops possible, may
report the largest amount OF bank
clearances, rejoice in a trade larger
than any other nation, build the big
gest and longest canal, everywhere
extend its railroads, and in all con-
ceivable ways pile up material
wealth, and yet do it all in such q
manner as to mean retrogression in
stead of progress. In the final analy-
sis and enumeration OF a nations as
| sets, 1t is the moral and spiritual
| character and vitality that in the
long run gives value to whatever man
achieves in material things. The
moral consciousness OF the nation, the
| insistence on righteousness as exalt-
| ing the nation, the opposition for
peace-making. the spirit of brother
hood, and like spiritual forces are the
! important matters for which to give
thanks.
Reflection is an exercise particular
~ fitting IN the thanksgiving season.
Many will give chief attention to
feasting and the good things usually
associated with the day will make the
chief appeal to some people. There
is, indeed, opportunity for rejoicing
and for the various modes of express
sion. But to reflect on the history Of
God and the divine leading in the ma
TONS affairs at the present time, Is
the duty of the thoughtful.
GLORIOUS.