South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1920-11-25
NOVEMBER Is. 1920.
PILGRIMS AND PLENTY AS TOPICS FOR
THANKSGIVING DAY.

As celebrate Thanksgiving day this year our
thoughts turn with renewed interest to that winter
500 years ago when the Pilgrim Fathers first came
to the North American shores They were forced to
land farther north than they had planned and the
increasing storms Of advancing winter compelled
them to establish their colony without the delay
necessary il they explore the coast carefully
for a thoroughly suitable location.
The first winter tragically hard, every
American school boy and girl knows. Many of the
Pilgrims died. Those who survived held to their
purpose through every hardship. never considering
a return to the land where they could have abund-
OF food and shelter but not the freedom of
spirit they sought
It Is no wonder then that the Pilgrims set aside
special day Offering thanks 10 God for their
FIRST harvest of Indian their first full year
in the world Yet any who reads their
chronicles those DIFFICULT days will their
thanksgi giving was not confined to single feast day
No matter how dark the outlook. they found always
that they had blessings for which they were CRATE
fuI
Since those days the American people have pass
cd through many serious crises and faced many
grave problems. But always the blessings have out
numbered the rnisfortunes. this year as others.
This Thanksgiving eclipses all OF all the people
the earth the Americans appear TO be the fav-
ored. While famine has stalked through other lands
plenty ruled America. Never a
time in history when collections had TO be TAX
in other countries TO relieve distress in the
United States. Through immigrants helping the
folks they left behind through general benevo-
lence. II has always been a case of aid going out
from here.
Today. while there calls for relief mil
lions in other countries the Americans as usual,
the midst of plenty. While America is rapid
Is recovering from abnormal conditions of the war.
internal and racial strife still beset many a Eu-
ropean land. And there l. better way for Ameri-
TO show thankfulness for what they have re-
ceived than to share with those who distress.
Observance Of the last Thursday in November
day Of thanksgiving and prayer is dependent in
no degree on the customary proclamation by the
president but should be sensible of a loss were
executive to omit its issuance. This exclusively
American day is indeed as armly fixed as is Christ
But II Is good to have the chief administrative
officer OF the nation review. IL ever so briefly the
blessings which have been abundantly bestowed
upon us. In the Presidents words:
we have abundant cause for thanksgiving.
The LESSONS of the rapidly healing. The
great army freemen which America sent To
the defense Of liberty. returning the grateful
embrace OF the nation. has resumed the useful
pursuits OF peace. a simply and promptly
rushed 20 arms in obedience 10 the counrys
rail-. In plenty. security and peace our
vrtuOus and self-relant people face the future,
It's duties and It's opportunities May have vi
TO discern duties; the strength. both OF
hand and resolve discharge them: and the
soundness OF heart Of realize that the truest OPP
portunties are those Of service. In spirit. then.
Of devotion and stewardship We should give
thanks in hearts, and dedicate ourselves 10
the service Of Gods merCiful and loving pur-
poses His children"
America is going forward and is thankful accord
ingly