Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1827-11-28
THANKSGIVING.

THANKSGIVING.
We do not profess 10 be SO sufi GENTLY acquaint.
ed with ire more abstruse pages Of the history
Of ew England, as to be enabled to furnish a
correct account Of the origin Of that annual
festival. called Thanksgiving; but from all we
can learn, We are led TO believe, that is exist
ence ia cocval with The landing Of The Pilgrims
at Plymouth; and are quite sure, that il has
ever since been kept up. and observed by the
p%urltans, as well as by the more liberal, and
equally pious portion Of The New England
population.
The objects held forth, and sustained by the
keeping Of the daf, # strictly considered, are
worthy Of coInmendation; and as they are
closely allied to the existence of our moral
welfare, we certainly hope, that the example
set by our forefathers, will be followed by fu-
turc generations.
Grateful, as we all ought to DO for the chart
ties and boun,ies Of Almighty God, it is recon-
mendcd, by the executive officers of The sew
cral States, that we assemble. once a year, On
some fit and proper occasion, to offer up our
praises and t~hanksgivings to the Most 'gh,
for past %favors, and our prayers for a continn-
alton of his boun:ies and blessings;- imploring
him most huu,bly, and with %contrite hearts, TO
bless us, aud to preserve us from oalamites,
and the innovations of the enemies of man.
kind.
In compliance with these recommendations
We yearly assemble, and at the Throne Of Mcr-
cy and Of Grace, offer up the tribute and in
cense Of grateful hearts, at the altar of the
Everlasting God.
But though we derive ncalculable benefits
from this annual assembling, and thus offering
up our grateful hearts. we are yet further bene-
fitted, by mingiing with our neighbors; tender
ing to each other orr OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
and awakening past recollec.ions, and telling
Z" DER and DER again. the stories Of our event.
full lives, and rcciprocating mutual kindnesses;
and at the social and h~caltbful board, burying
in oblivion past notwithstanding new asso-
Citations, and engendering Friendships which
49, vi " Vbtiii' u ttC is'N 'tbldl
Of life is extingu,sbcd, and we are allied to
visit the valley, and the shadow Of Death.
1t would be we'll, for the great body of tie
American People, if these festivals obtained
throughout the country; and if the naughty
Sou'hron, who holds himself aIoof, and rarely,
or never, congrega,es with bis brethren, would
but follow the example Of the New!England-
ers, he would find a vast moral improvement
in the condition Of 'oc;eiy, and'a thousand of
those acrimonious humors and poisonous heart
burnings. which are unfortunately too warmly
cherished by him, sinking INTO oblivion, and
associations formed, which only tend to the
peace and happiness of our common country.
In no State south of Ncw-York five except
Ncw-Jersey, are these annual festivals held
and as other states are not insensible of the
benefits thus derived, it is hoped that the day
is not far distant, when they will be observed
in all the States :" south Of the Tweed and
north Of it, till the Festival Of THANKsGIv-
ING will be common to the country.
Tomorrow, the people Of Rhode Island will
observe and celebrate this festival;-and whilst
we approach the Altar Of our God, and offer
up osr prayers and thanksgivings, in the ful.
ness Of our hearts, let US not forget the poor
and needy - but let each and all Of us, con-
tribute to the aid Of the widow and the or.
phan.
Winter is already among us, and the snow
and the slect the blasts Of the north W ids
tho threaten,ngs Of the ice-clad monarch Of
the season, are seer lowering around the mis-.
cradle dwellings oftie unfortunate and dis.
tresscd; and already has the Respondent mat.
ron pressed TO her bosom the offspring Of hel
love, and sighed as she contemplated the gloom
of winter, and'in the midst Of her tears ex.
claimed, . oh me! where shall ! find succor
for my babe, who will protect me fiom the
"pcltings of the pitilcss storm!'
Within the limits Of our town, there are
many who are thus circumstanced, and who
know not where to obtain the means Of earn
ing a livelihood. during the existence Of the
inclcmencies Of the winter; and it IS these hap
less beings, who claim our charity and protec-
! tion;-and # we yield to them both, we no,