Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1917-12-01
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: Thanksgiving Thoughts
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Surely, not since tine Civil War and
possibly never in our history have we
faced a Thanksgiving Day as we face
this one in, 1917. Many Will be asking
what we have for whicn to be thank1ui.'
A state of war and broken homes and
great national debts and bloody battle
fields and ruined countries and an UNI
certain future are not things to inspire
gratitude and praise, said Rey. q. l..
Lowell, in his sermon at the United
Evangelical church last Sunday.
After all, Thanksgiving is determined
by the state OF mind and heart rather
tnan material surroundings. Content
ment and gratitude are not always
found amid peace and wealth and pros
perity.
/ nave read of an old Persion fable
which told OF sad and crabid king VINO
could not be made happy. lie was fully
conscious OF ms unhappy condition and
finally ordered his WISE men TO rlnd
remedy for cheer and contentment. At
ter due consideration they brought HIM
this advice: Find a happy man ana Sc
cure his shirt and wear it. This was
sure to make the wearer happy and
1oyous. Then the search for u truly
happy and thankful man began. The
noDlnty and prosperous classes were
sought out but without success. Days
and weeks passed and still no one was
found who was always happy and JOY
full. At last man was disc Jvered away
back in the mountains with his family
in little rough cabin. He sang through
the day and after saying his prayers
at night slept the sleep Of the truly JOY
full man. In all his hard Iabors no com
plant escaped his lips; when disappolnt-
inents ana reverses came to his home
he thanked God that no worse fortune
had befallen HIM When the tempest
and rain fell, he smiled and hoped for
the morrow.
When the King heard Of him he i'm
mediately rent to buy his shirt that he
might wear it and find the secret OF
happy and thankful spirit. The mes
senger me and found MIN IS they had
herd but lol he was so poor that he
had no shirt,
In all the danger an threatened dis
aster to our peace and prosperity, lei
us not be unmindful of the many ano
great blessings God has vouchsated tC
Ius Let us thank Him that during Tho
past year He has blessed us with abun
dant harvests, providing for our wants
as well as for those Of our allies in the
struggle for world freedom and demoe
racy.
Let us thank him for the spirit OF
! sacrifice that is upon our nation. II
is no doubt true that some of our young
men have needed the call of our country
from wrong or misplaced motives, bu'
there is a prevailing spirit among men
that although knowing something OF TN
fearful cost, yet prompts the nation tt
give our best, hoping TO right the wrong
Of an outraged world and t. secure safe
ty and liberty for all peoples.
Let us thank God that amid all tn
horrors of o war that has appalled, tn
world, humanitarianism, pity and SYN
pathy have not perished in our natior
! The great principles Christ came !
) show us and teach us grip the worl
as never. before. Christianity has no
failed. Christianity is pity and sympa
lthy and kindness. All the hospitals, th
! Red Cross societies commissions to allie
yiate suffering and misery, r. M. I
I A. and every other benevolent instltt
tion have their origion in the teaching
of Jesus Christ. Perhaps never has
!, nation been so ready and united to mil
lister to those who need our help as
our country now.
Not only are we moved toward Go
by these humanitarian agencies, but "
:, Lare coming more and more to recogni'
+ our need OF God and his salvation X
n us in Christ Jesus. Men are lookin
. to Him not only in death but for wisdo
and strength to do the right while "
: live. Never were so many Bibles ben
. read and so many prayers being said
I now. Our help is in God.