p. 6 | THANKSGIVING

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Nov 25, 1903

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 29, No. 47.

THANKSGIVING

OUR English word “thank” is in its origin allied with thought. The root of true thankfulness is not, therefore, in the word, but in thought. To be thankful is to be thoughtful of benefits received. Thanksgiving to God is the expression of true gratitude to Him for mercies received, an acknowledgement to Him as the Giver of all good. It recognizes that we are insufficient of ourselves and dependent upon Him for what we receive.

The truly thankful spirit is a generous spirit. It gets away from self. One of the Hebrew words rendered thanks means to extend the hand, to throw out. The thankful man gives thanks; and if possible he will render in kind of that which he receives. Does God give love?—He will render love to all mankind, the purchase of the life of God’s beloved Son. Does God give of the fruits of the earth, a plenty of this world’s goods?—If we see our brother have need, we will give to him. “Freely ye have received, freely give.”

“That man may last but never lives, Who much receives and nothing gives, Whom none can love, whom none can thank: Creation’s blot, creation’s blank.

“But he who marks from day to day, In generous acts his radiant way, Treads the same path his Saviour trod, The path to glory and to God.”

Then, dear soul, like the ocean, receive and give; receive to give. Take the water of life which flows from ten thousand streams, which falls in abundant rain, and in response to warmth and life from above let there rise from your heart and life and hand multiplied thanksgiving for thirsty earth and plant in the regions beyond.