Article November 22, 1930 Issue

Pioneer Thanksgivers

FRANCES H. PARKER

Each Thanksgiving Proclamation by the President of the United States of America bears witness to the fact that pioneers who are thanksgivers produce standards for posterity. Indeed, the meekness which bows the heads of rugged pioneers shows recognition of divine power. It was the realization of their dependence upon God for supply that inspired the Pilgrim pioneers to give credit to Him for their harvest; and their spiritual motives saved them from the snare of believing that they had only their own efforts to thank for their first harvest.

Spiritual motives bring freedom. And to the degree that a movement is truly progressive, its founders belong to the whole of mankind instead of to a given class or nationality. All thinkers are grateful for the pioneers of freedom.

A dictionary defines pioneer as "one who goes before, preparing the way for others." Although each progressive movement has its own pioneers, they are comparatively few in number. They go before, because they see the way and advance in it, before others are aware of the right direction. They are few in number, standing alone when necessary; and because of their enduring unselfishness in preparing the way for those who follow, men are sincerely grateful for their work. In fact, appreciation of the pioneer grows with individual unfoldment.

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