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Show SHORT SERMON FOR THE DAY. Debt That Is Owing to the Pilgrims and the Pioneers. irr".Y xx,x '-"Wli. re Hicro Ik no !. Ion, the peoplo pcrlKh " ThunksgMng n- reminds us. year by year, to look backward, count our blessings and, with gratitude to tho (liver of eeiy good gift, to look forward for-ward with faith and courngo to a still better future, for tho years nro surely sure-ly bringing with them better things. We think to-dn not only of present prosperity, but of the men who laid the foundation for tho great structure struc-ture of our national life. Tho I'll grim I'nthers of New Kngland nnd tho Pioneer Fathers of California, different dif-ferent as they were In character, had many common traits, such ns love of liberty, dauntless determination and especially the faculty of looking forward for-ward with faith and hopefulness, They were not sntlslled with tho condition con-dition of affairs nnd they longed for a larger life. As a result of that dissatisfaction, dis-satisfaction, coupled with a capacity for work and tho power to seo great possibilities in the future, wo inherit tho glorious realities of our present-day present-day lives. Every people that emerges from barbarism has before It u islon of better things. A lslon of better things camo to tho founders of our nation nnd state. Wo nro grateful to God for the vision of our fathers that has been so largely realized In tho magnificent achievements of our nn-Hon nn-Hon and in tho glorious growth of our stnto. Has this vision of better things censed? if hotter things are possible, we must make them ours. This vision alro will ho realized. The church shares this optimism. Her eyes aco the great woilt that is hers nnd her hands nro ready nnd her heart glad; and tho vision of righteousness which tlono truly nnd permanently exalts n nntlon Is urging her to larger efforts, for well sho knows thoro nro no "better "bet-ter things" without religion, which Is Itself a vision of God nnd duty and an cnllstmont In his Bervlco. There noer hn3 been an Inventor who has not had a vision of what his 'nvontlon would he. Hut vision nlono does not accomplish much unless It prompts to vigorous action. Tho Inventor In-ventor sees tho possibility and then works for It. Through years If neres sary, through manj failures ho perseveres, perse-veres, keeping the vision before him. knowing that his success Is not a matter mat-ter of chance. No ono who tries to llvo without working can bo called manly. Tho Pilgrims nnd the Pioneers wcro not hhlikers, but workers. They wero men not afraid of any tnBk Deserts nnd mountains nnd perils of land or sea. Instead of daunting their brave hearts, added to thoir eagerness eager-ness to press on. |