The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1918-11-28

T. s.
Union that has more reason to render
thanks for blessings received than
has South Dakota. So far 40 nate
rial blessings are concerned we lead
all Of our sister states. Our crops
show yield Of 1877 per cent, or 80
per cent above what is considered a
full crop, while the country as a
whole only averaged SO per cent.
While death, resulting from the epi.
demic and from war, Las brought
grief into the homes of many Of our
people, yet compared with what 9TH
er states have suffered South Dakota
has been vesy fortunate.
In addition to these blessings we
can share with the whole civilized
world in rejoicing over the great vic
tory for civilization that will come
from the winning of the war. It is
therefore appropriate that we should
devote the day to reflection upon these
blessings, and give thanks to an all
wise Providence. But gratitude,
not only to God. but also to our fell
lows, is a characteristic worthy of
being cultivated.
There is a tendency with many peo-
pie to attribute all good things direct
to God and leave humanity entirely
out of the question. For instance,
a mayor in neighboring town in
addressing peace celebration recent
ly said "No one man and 20 set of
men could stop the war, only God,
and to Him must be given the praise. f"
Unfortunately for such an, argument
would we not also have to charge
.iod with all responsibility for bring
ing on the war? Would it not have
been just as easy for Him to have
prevented it as to stop it? In the de-
sire to be reverential such people be-
come fatalists. They relieve man
of all responsibility. A logical de-
duction from such stand would have
relieved man of the responsibility Of
sending any soldiers to fight the bat
ties, leaving everything to God. On
this Hypothesis how would they ex-
plain the fact that God permitted the
central powers to win in t he east and
devastate Russia? He permitted Bel.
GUM and portion of France to be
outraged. and it was not until the
American forces. entered the service
and made the fighting power Of the
allies superior that the central pow
ers wtre finally overcome. Did God
change His mind just at that time
and decide that after all it would be
better to let the allies win? Such a
conclusion is unthinkable The war
was brought on. not by the decree of
God but by the selfish desire of few
individuals to exploit the world. and
in defiance of the divine will. God
rules through human agencies. and
when that agency fails His plans mis-
carry. To right those wrongs He also
uses human agency, and if humanity
fails to do it's part in the work it
fails. The responsibility therefore
rests upon humanity to do everything
in it's power to promote the divine
will upon earth. and the fatalist who
tries to shirk his own responsibility
Onto God will be held responsible for
bis neglect. =" Z
In giving thanks today for the great
wal victory that has been 'won,& let
us not only thank the Supreme Ruler,
but also cherish in our hearts 4 feel
ing Ct thankfulness to the boys who
have sacrificed in our behalf by becom
ing willing instruments in carrying
out Gods plan, and without which it
COULD never have been accomplished.