November 1928
653
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lish constitutions of government for our safety and hap piness, and particularly the national one now lately insti tuted ; for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed, and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing knowledge; and, in general, for all the great and various favors, which He has been pleased to confer upon Us. “And, also, that we may then unite in most humbly
Jehovah is good unto them that wait for Him, to the soul that seeketh Him. It is good that a man should hope and quietly wait for the salvation o f Jehovah.” Lam. 2 :22-26. “Oh that men woud praise Jehovah for His loving kindness and for His wonderful works to the children of ‘men.” PH Thankful For a Godly Father A T Thanksgiving time there usually come to the mind of the Managing Fxlitor, lines written by his beloved father just before Thanksgiving in the year 1900.
offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations, and be seech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions; to enable us all, whether in public oi;. private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually; to render our national
This “beloved physician,” who had given of his skill and strength to others until, although compara tively young, in years, his earthly temple had broken down, was for many long m o n t h s a patient sufferer. Christian physicians of his type are rare in these days. He never said “No” to the call of the suffering, rich or poor, be it night L p r day, summer or winter, far or near. He served the poor with out charge and literally wore himself out doing for others. No wonder the city’s stores and fac tories closed their doors; during the hour of his funeral. He was first of all a Chris tian. . He carried the cheer of God’s promises to the oppressed. He soothed the dying hours of many with the comfort of the Scriptures. He had a habit of covering the faults of men. He always had a smile and a bit of wholesome wit that acted as a medicine. He seemed to scatter roses without thorns wherever he went. His one thought was “others.” He did not need to preach. Had he never said a word, his life would have drawn people to his Lord. While he himself lay a suf ferer, the afflicted begged at the door to see him. But a word of advice from him, they felt, might point them the way of recovery. He chafed under his forced re tirement and longed to make use
government a blessing to all peo pie, by constantly being a gov ernment of wise, just, and con stitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed; to protect and guide all sovereigns and nations (especially such as have shown kindness to us), and to bless them with good govern ments, peace, and concord; to promote the knowledge and prac tice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science ,,4 among them and us; and, gen erally, to grant unto all mankind such a degree of temporal pros perity as He alone knows to be best. “Given under my hand, at the city of New York, the third day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty nine.” —George Washington. C ontem plate G od ’ s G oodness The Presidents’ proclama tions go b a c k to 1795 when George Washington set aside the nineteenth of February as the day on which the people should thank God for exemption from foreign war and insurrection. Since 1817 this day has been annually observed in New York and since 1863 the Presidents have always issued a proclama tion appointing the last Thursday in November as Thanksgiving Day. Before this time it was not
Praise for Harvest B y H oward T. U ssher We give Thee Thanks for harvest: Q God of sun and cloud; For work and rest, Thy name be blest, Let all men sing aloud. We give Thee thanks for harvest: For long as earth shall stand,;' Thy faithfulness shall be confessed— God of the open hand. We give Thee thanks for ^harvest: For seed-time, soil, and beast;1' For seasons sure at Thy behest— As sure as West and East. We give Thee thanks for harvest: For strength and skill that pgss Down furrow, and up hill-crest, The pledge of corn and grass. We give Thee thanks for harvest: For thought that fruits in deed, For everything 'that stands the test Of meeting human need. We give Thee thanks for harvest: Lord of the now and then; For Thou will not withhold the best That God can give-to men. We give Thee thanks for harvest: When earth’s last seed is sown, And Thou shalt gather to Thy rest All of Thy loved—thine own.
observed annually. John Adams issued two thanksgiving proclamations. James Madison issued four, after which there were none till Lincoln issued one in April, 1862. We need to be reminded of God’s goodness. It is said of Dr. Alexander Whyte that one day he went to call on a woman and she was full of her troubles. He listened to her for quite a while and then he said, “But mind you, forget not all His benefits.” When we look around it is easy to see trouble, but when we look up, who can but praise Him? “I t is of Jehovah’s lovingkindnesses that we are not cOhsumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is thy faithfulness. Jehovah is my portion, saith my soul; therefore, will I hope in Him.
of his knowledge for the blessing of others: He found it hard to understand God’s purpose. A few days before his peaceful homegoing, when others were talking of Thanksgiving, he called his life companion to him and asked for a pencil that he might write what was in his heart. Here are the words he wrote—his last message:
T h a n k f u l ? How can I be thankful, Lord, With all the aspirations of the years Thrown ruthless down, without one word Amidst the protest of struggling tears?
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