The Caledonian

THANKSGIVING is at hand, and with many the inquiry is coming up, how shall I spend it most agreeably? An answer is nigh.—think not altogether of thy little self—think of others. Has Providence smiled propitiously upon thee—filled thy barns and thy graneries, and crowned the year to thee with His tender mercy and loving-kindness? Show thy gratitude by sharing His beneficence with thy less prospered neighbor—the poor and the needy. All the long year, perhaps, sorrows have compassed him about, afflictions have sunk deep into his heart, and want may be the legacy the revolving year has bestowed upon him. Make glad the hearts of all such by bestowing upon them a bountiful supply of the fruits of the season from thine overflowing abundance, and, if thy conscience be unburdened by hearty repentance of sin, then shall the day be to thee one of happiness—of peace—of joy—a day of thanksgiving of the heart.

Try it. Look around and see who needs of the bounties of Providence to make them forget burning, gnawing want for one day, and promptly and quietly supply them; and no matter, if none but the relieved knows who hath done it, the exercise of the better feelings of the heart in the act, will repay thee four fold. The prayer of the needy will be lifted up on high for thee and thine, and those richer blessings which Heaven vouchsafes to him who feeds the hungry and clothes the naked, will descend like gentle dews upon thy head, and gladness will fill thy heart.

Again, says the lay-preacher, Try It.