Editorial November 24, 1928 Issue

Gratitude and Thanksgiving

Duncan Sinclair

The spirit of thankfulness is itself an asset for which to be deeply grateful. For what does this spirit imply? It means that its possessor is humble enough to recognize the good that has already come to him; and, being humble, he is in the position of being able to add to his store of spiritual riches. Gratitude and humility, which are always to be found together, are two of the most desirable graces; and happy is he who possesses them in abundant measure.

Every year witness the return of Thanksgiving Day in the United States of America, a day set apart for the expression of gratitude to God by the people for all the good which they have enjoyed throughout the year that is gone. Thanksgiving Day is, thus, not a mere holiday; not a mere opportunity for participating, either frugally or otherwise, in the appetizing dishes which the culinary art can in these modern times place at one's service: it is far more than that. Thanksgiving Day is intended to afford an opportunity for friends to unite with gladness in their hearts, thankful for the affection that continues to bind them together, and for larger groups to congregate in their places of worship to praise God for His goodness in blessing their country with prosperity, and in saving them from many of the evils incidental to human existence. But whether the groups which meet together be large or small, the object of their meeting is fulfilled only as they are humble enough to recognize the benefits which have come to them, both in their individual capacity and as a nation.

It is extraordinarily true that material wealth, material abundance, in itself is impotent to induce lasting gratitude. It may give rise to a sense of temporary security, but it cannot satisfy the higher nature; spiritual riches alone can do that. Christ Jesus, he who divided so masterfully between sense and Soul, once spoke a parable concerning "a certain rich man" whose ground "brought forth plentifully;" so much so, that he had no room where to bestow his fruits. After deciding to build greater barns for his fruits and his goods, the rich man is represented as saying, "Take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry." But it could not be; for let his fortune be ever so great, he still remained subject to God, Spirit, the divine Principle of his being. And so the Master's words rang out: "But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God."

Send a comment to the editors

NEXT IN THIS ISSUE

Article

Among the Churches