The Parisian. (Paris, Tenn.) 1907-1962, 1919-11-28

pay them living wage, and yet only
paying them So, Sc, or So week,
are not innocent, but in the eyes of
God and justice are guilty; for the
low wages they paid were and are
the cause of these girls and women
leaving the path of virtue. o, the
fruits of ingratitude.
Then, there is the indifference the
church is receiving Our little city
is not church-going city. Some of
the older citizens state that Paris has
never been much ON attending church.
Now, why is this? Several reasons
might be given. But after all the
fundamental reason is the sin of in
gratitude. There is no doubt in my
mind that, if the people of Paris were
truly grateful for what the church
has and is doing for them, they would
rally to its support and cooperate with
| it. There is not a person in this
town but what is indebted to the
church Of Jesus Christ. Consider
what the church is doing for US. 1t
is the best police force any communi-
/ ty can have. 1t enhances the value
of property. 1t is working for the
best interests of our homes. Our in
situations of which we are justly
proud were made possible and are
maintained in spirit and purpose by
the message of the church. 1t has
been the message of the church thru
the power of Jesus Christ that has
given civilization all that is pure and
best in it. Democracy is the child of
the gospel It is the institution that
is seeking to prepare you for eterni-
ty Thus there is not an hour but
what you are benefited by the church
of Jesus Christ. You non-church-
goer, you who are Indifferent to the
church, you, who do not attend its
services, do not support it, are not
paying your just debts. You are a
parasite, living upon the sacrifices,
struggles and burdens of others. A
gain, we see the fruits of ingrati-
tude.
Friends, we hardly know where to
place the ungrateful person. We
know no fit place on earth for him to
dwell. The dog is grateful. Our
domestic animals are grateful. Wild,
savage animals are not. Where does
he belong? AS we think of fit
place, as we see the hideous features
of ingratitude, it's cruel, cursing re-
suits, we think of only one place
the place where evil spirits reign. But
let us leave him, trusting that an a.
wakened conscience will arouse him.
We leave him-for his spirit may be
contagious--but as we leave him, We
trust and pray that even yet the pow
er of Christ may regenerate his heart.
And vet as we leave him we are con-
strained to cry out How long, how
long, Paris, America, will you be UNI
grateful? How long, how long, will
the mists and fogs of selfish gains
keep you from the noble scenery and
soul-thrilling atmosphere of real liv-
ing? AS he who cries to one in dan
ger, we cry to you, count your Dies
sings, recount them. See what God
and man have done for you.
How contemplate, how hideous,
how hellish the light of this day re-
veals ingratitude. 1t cannot live In
the spirit of thankfulness. Then, by
the grace of God, may the spirit of
thankfulness permeate our lives. Then
we will be in harmony with all Gre
alton, then the noble qualities OF
character will blossom into fruitage,
then mankind will live in the spirit
of brotherhood; as all our faculties
praise God for His goodness, for His
unfailitg mercies.
Yes, the past year and all our ex-
periences call forth our thanks, praise
to the living God.