New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1844-12-12
THANKSGIVING.

Thanksgiving.
Canst thou give thanks for nugh that has been given
Except By making eayth more worthy heaven
Just stewardship the master hoped from thee;
Harrssu from Time to bless Eternity.
THANKSGIVING is peculiarly the festival day OF
New. England. Elsewhere, other celebrations
rival its attractions, but in that region where the
Puritans first returned thanks that come among
them had bean sustained by great hope and
earnest resolve amid the perls of the ocean, wild
beasts and famine, Ina old spirit which halowed
the day still fingers, aad forbids that il should be
entirely devoted to play and plgm.pudding.
And yet as there is always this tendency as
the twelfth-night cake is baked by many host
ess who would be puzzled if you asked her,
Twelfth night after or before what % and the
Christmas cake by many who know no other
Cbristmas service, so it requires very serious as
sertion and proof from the minister to convince
his parishionere that the turky and plum-pue-
ding, which arc presently to occupy his place in
their attention, should not be the chief objects Of
the day.
And, in other regions, where the occasion
is observed, it is still more IS one for meeting
of families and friends to the enjoyment of
good dinner, than for any higher purpose.
This, indeed, is one which we want not to de-
preciate. Ii this manner Of keeping the day be
likely to persuade the juniors Of the party that
she celebrated Jack Homer is the prime mode.
for brave boys, and that grand parents are chief
" 10 be respected as the givers of grand ieasts,
vet meeting in the spirit of kindness, however
dull and blind, is not wholly without use III heal
ing differences and promoting good Intentions
The instinct of family love, intended by Heaven
TO make those of one blood the various and har-
monious organs Of one mind, Is never wholly
without good influence. Family love, say, for
family pride is nsver without bad influence, and
It too often takes the place of its mild and healthy
sister.
Yet where society is ut all simple, it is cheer
ing to see the family circle thus assembled, II
only because its patrlarchal form IS IN itself SO
excellent. The presence of the children ani-
mates the old people, while the respect aud attea-
ton thew demand refines tho gaiety Of the young.
Yes, it is cheering to see, In some large room,
the elders talking near the bright fire, while the
cousins of all ages are amusing themselves IN
knots. Here lie almost all the good, and very
little of the ILL., that can be found In society, got
together merely for amusement.
Yet how much nobler, more exhilarating and
purer would be the atmosphere of that circle II
the design of its pious founders were remembered
bv those who partske this festival! If they
dared not attend tho public jubilee till private
retrospect Of the past year had been taken In the
ppiri, of the old rhyme, which we all bear in mind
II not in heart
''what hn,. thou done that s worth the doing,
And wha, gaf,Hea that w ,ss Sa ,Sos, .bup
What done thou shouldst have lett uldone?
and crusade been vowed into me wild places OF
the bosom, which should take for its device,
" Lord. cleanse thou me from secret faults ~
keep back thy servant also from presumPtuous
ems would rot that circle be happy az II mu.
sic, from invisible agents, foated through it-ii
each member OF it considered every other mem.
Der as bequest from heaven-if DO supposed
that the appointed nearness in blood or lot was
sgn TO him that he must exercise his gifts of
eyery kind as given peculiarly in their behalf
that If richer in tempar, in talents, IN knowledge,
or in worldly goods, here was the innermost clE-
ole of his pcor-that lie must clothe these Naked
whether in body or mind, soothing the pe'verse'
casting high. into the narrow chamber, or, most
welcome ,a.k of all extending hand ct the
RIGHT moment to one uncertain of his way. 1t
is this spirit that makes the old man to be re-
ycred as e Nes,or, rather than put aside like Z
worn. out garment. Ills suca spirit that some
times has given to the young child ministry as
of parent in the house.
But, il charity begin at home, 1t must not end
there; and while purifying the innermos! circle,
le. us not forget that il depends upon the great
circle, and that nga.n on II; that no home can
bs bsslthrul IN which ere not cherished seeds OF
good for the world at arge. Thy child, thy BROTH
er are given {, thee only as an example OF what Is
dina from thee 10 all men. 1t IS true that, II you,
in anger, call your brother fool, no deeds OF So
called philanthropy shall have you from the pun
;shmsn. for your philanthropy must be from the
love of excitement, not The love OF man. or good
mass. But then you must visit the Gen'lles Also
and take time for knowing what aid the woman
Of Ssmaria may need.
A noble Catholic writer, IN the t'us sense as
well as by name Catholic, dsscli9ss tailor as
giving dime, on an occasion which had oEoush nj
honor to his house, which, though humble, was
rot Door house. In his glee, The tailor was boast
iny little of the favo,s and blessings of ms lot
when suddenly thought stung him. tie stop
ped, and cutting away half the fowl that lay BE-
fore him. sent it in dish with the best knives,
bread, and napkin, ard a brotheEy message thai
wss better still, to widow near, WHO must, he
knew, be sitting 10 sadness and poverty among
her cbild.en. His little daughter was The messen-
ger. If parents followed up the indulgences heap,
ed upon their children at Thanksgiving dlnne's
with similar messages, there would no: BE- dingef
that children should think enjoyment OF sensual
pleasures the only occasion that demands thanks
giving.