“To us, it is a day of worship and feasting, and in both of these features we are following the example of Governor Bradford, Elder William Brewster, John Carver, Edward Winslow, Miles Standish and the other brave men and women who formed that early company.  We do not go out into the woods for the wild turkey as they did.  But we get the turkey just the same.  I have no doubt that your thoughts of thanksgiving to God for his many blessings to us this year are already mingling with thoughts of scenes like this:  [Detach the map drawing from the board, turn it over and re-attach it with thumb tacks.  Change the map into a steaming roast turkey by adding the lines to form the wing, the “drumstick,” the garnishment and the plate.  Use black for all but the garnishment.  This completes Fig. 121].

[Illustration:  Fig. 121]

OUR HANDS
    —­Visitors’ Day
    —­Conduct

Actions Sometimes Speak Plainer Than Words—­The Important Part
Which Our Hands Play.

THE LESSON—­That we should watch carefully “the work of our hands.”

This chatty little talk about the hand may be given added force if the speaker will, by the use of his own hands, illustrate the characteristics and emotions as they are mentioned.

The Talk.

“Today, we shall talk a little about our hands—­these most useful ‘tools’ that are fastened to the outer ends of our arms.

“Helen Keller, who has been deaf and blind ever since she was a little child, tells us that her hands are a splendid substitute for eyes and ears, and that their sensitive touch has revealed to her the beauties and wonders of the world.  In other words, she has seen the world with her hands!

“Did you ever see a palmist read a hand?  It is a very interesting thing, although most of us haven’t a great deal of confidence in the revelations which the palmist finds there in the lines and the high places and the low places. [Draw the hand and put in the lettering of Fig. 122.] We laugh at the mistakes which the palmist makes, even though we think seriously of the true things she speaks.

[Illustration:  Fig. 122]

“But we don’t need to go to the palmist to find out what is really in our hands—­to find out the real story they have to tell.  Look at your own hands a moment Let us see what we find there.

“Are your hands the kind that clasp other hands in warm friendship?  Are they hands which are busy every day doing good, honest work?  Are they hands that take food and clothing to the poor?  Are they hands that stroke the fevered brow?  Are they hands that help to lighten the burdens of other people?  Are they hands that lift up the fallen one and point him to Him who said, ’Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden?’ Are they hands that help wherever and whenever they can? Think about it!  Are they?

“Or, are they hands that clench in anger?  Are they hands that crush heartlessly?  Are they hands that drag downward?  Are they hands that pull backward?  Are they hands that strike in cruelty?  Are they hands that slap insultingly?  Are they hands that tear pitilessly?  Are they hands that grope into the dark places and do more harm than good? Think about it!  Are they?