| Show GIVING THANKS in the observance of one of our national holidays thanksgiving ving day a 8 beautiful custom has baa grown up among the american people when november of each year rolls rolle around the ibe president of the united states in conformity with a custom which expresses the will of the nation issues a proc proclamation which is ia supplemented by a similar document from the governor of each state stale or territory the aim of this official document when the genius of the rule which inspires it is conformed with is to call attention to the fact that the last thursday of november is the day which the nation has decreed shall be observed as a time of 0 rejoicing bud aud of thanksgiving to the father of all for the mercies he has shown and the bounties he lias be stowed during the year about to close the rhe request is made that the people assemble in their places of worship lip or at their homes and offer up prayer and praise to the giver of all ghou while it it is suggested that in the feasting and rejoicing their hearts he be opened and their pune strings tor for the benefit and blessing of those whose lot baynot may not have been cast in pleasant places this is the general lorm form of the typical thanksgiving proclamation and in giving assent to it business to is suspended for the day in all parts of the country in various chure churches hes brief services are held and in the home circle families gather to partake of a bounteous repast where in giving turkey is realized reali zid the anticipations of many days daye and pleasing recollections leot ions of the abe happy time are provided for those who are kindly disposed rejoice in making glad the hearts ol of the poor the day being second aly only to christmas brist mae iu the abe work of charity and love one notable distinction between this day and the great christian festival is that it is in not an occasion of presents for friendship or affection for a thanksgiving gift is essentially one that la is designed for the poor chett the day to is observed in such a manner which is in accord with its ito institution it is an occasion of happi news des and a source of blessing to those who celebrate it evin even in seasons that way may not be so BO prosperous as others have been with such observance the heart expands with gratitude the ties of love are strengthened and the bunds bonds of sympathy extended and augmented those who regard the day as oue one for ri eel elfish fish pleasure devoid of the assoria asso oia tlona of prayer and thanksgiving of charitable avid and loving deeds are not numbered with those who enter into the spirit and partake of the peace and happiness which pervades the true thanksgiving day its joys are broader deeper and nore lasting than are felt in bearta inspired by anything less than the love of god anil and their brother man it is appropriate that a day in each year should be set apart as an a time of special thanksgiving to the almighty that particular attention might be drawn to the principle of es expressing pressing gratitude in proper deaso the honored day which the next week will bring upon us should be observed in spirit for the choice blessings which the nation has received there have been unpleasant and gloomy orebo dinep but the mercies of providence have far outweighed these our country is at peace with all nation and famine and pestilence and tumult in and an on the earth have not afflicted the land and the situation la is 41 one in chien tre whole people culk can appropriately ask aek themselves whether they are living sufficiently near the lurd to entitle them to the blessings blessing they possess sess the latter day saints have special cause to be thankful as a body of re lilious worshiper ipen tor for the temporal blessings they enjoy peace and the needful portion for their comfortable subsistence have been their lot ant and those in their ranks who have been i touched by want are not numerous these it is the pleasure of the others to search out and during the year now dow drawing to a close the saints have not withheld of their means from the needy the saints fervently units unite with the nation at large on thanksgiving day in ie grateful praise to jehovah in words find and deeds it is not however with them the only day in the year for thanksgiving nor should it be with others the latte rd dav saints offer up their praise to god on all days and at all times so go full of gratitude are they for his manifold blessings which th they ey receive that thanksgiving time with them ceases not but is one continual round norio nor is their gratitude returned for temporal blessings alone more blore prel precious bious still beyond comparison with the wealth and pleasures of earth la if the glorious light of the gospel of christ which shines in their hearts and aad illumines their path unto the per feet day living in the dispensation of the falness of times when the lord is gathering introne into one all things for the establishing of his kingdom they have received the everlasting gospel and become recipients of its saving power they realize that this reaches throughout eternity bud and the extent of their gratitude is to be measured only by the infinitude of the blessings which the gos goe el brings they are heralds of the glad tidings to the world and would joyfully give all an eunity of partaking of the waters of life those who accept the divine ime message Esage find that unspeakable joy which to is a foretaste of the heaverly heave uly rest for this preci precious pus heritage which includes every blessing of earth and heaven eternal praise and glory and honor are due the most high whose saints regard existence on earth with its trials sorrows and conflicts its ito development and reward dr as aa a time of thanksgiving for the possession and comprehension of those bi which will gain tor for them the everlasting victory of peace and love |
