The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1918-11-28
THANKSGIVING

Thursday was set aside by d proclamation OF the president
and the governors OF the various state as an occasion to De
observed with appropriate ceremonies OF thanksgiving Ton the
blessings that have come to us during the past year.
The American people entered into the spirit OF the ocla-
sion with no UlsglVlngS
The people OF the United State, have had their mettle tested
with a severity to which they have never been subjected before
They passed through the ordeal without warerlng They
have measured up to the expectations inspired by their spIen-
did traditions.
There have been times in our national and individual lives
when it was difficult TO attain a frame OF mind that would en-
title lis without reservation to say that we were grateful Tor all
the things that had entered into our experiences for a year past
But this wear if is different. From thousands of homes
there arc prayers OF gratitude because loved ones have been
spared to return. Out Of the millions that went across the seas
TO fight for right and justice a remarkably few as compared
with what other nations have given, will fail to return. Thus
millions Of hearts will have added to their t%hankiulness the SEN
saton OF pleasure and JOY.
Thousands will mourn because their loved ones will not re-
turn. But their cause for thanksgiving, instead OF being dlmin-
ished, is rather glorifed and sanctified. They have made the
sacrifice. They that have given sons or husbands to the cause
have a satisfaction that none other can share-one that they
alone can understand, for understanding comes from experience,
Men scott and speak lightly OF the beyond in the heyday
of their strength and selfsuiicicncy. But there comes a day
when physical strength gives way to weakness and men throw
themselves upon the mercy OF the giver of all strength. We
know that the young men who have entered into the long sleep
were at peace with the world and with their Redeemer.
With the worlds greatest tragedy spreading out before their
eyes, they saw death shorn OF its hideousness and clothed in
the robes of a great and glorious experience. They faced death
unthnchingly and unatraid, and they met it with a smile on their
lips and a prayer in their hearts. 1t is a splendid thing to live
through an experience such as they witnessed, but it was a go-
rious thing to die as they did,
There is no balm for the broken heart, and the fountain
Of tears that flows for them will never dry. They died the death
OF martyrs and of heroes, such as men are but rarely permitted,
and while we mourn their loss and gricve for them, to wish
that it might be undone or that it might have been different is
to wish that they might be deprived Of their opportunity to
achieve imperishable glory.
We should be thankful that within the past year tile nation
found. itself, discovered its soul Too long we have been rollck-
ing, ~frolicking along at our ease, indifferent if not selfish.
We have learned that the food we were wont to complain
about and the clothing and the coal and the luxuries we thought
were necessities were the things Of least consequence. For all
time it was impressed upon Our minds that man does not live
by bread alone.
In the year that has passed we have witnessed some re-
markable transformations, The character Of our people has been
revolutionized. They have accepted the doctrine that they are
their brothers keeper. Generosity has supplanted ~selishness
They have found their mission in life; If to die, to die nobly; il
to live, to make their lives worth while. They have learned
that the value of a mans life is not measured by its length, but
by the amount of good he does for his fellow man.