The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1857-12-04
Origin Of Thanksgiving

This time-honored custom began with
the earliest settlement OF New England.
The Pilgrim Fathers, ever mindful ol ths
blessings they received from the Giver Of
all good, among their first acts, set apart
= day for thanksgiving and prayer to God
for his watchful care over them, in pre-.
serving their lives through the year, and
in giving them an abundan, harvest.
In the fall Of 1921, the first harvest OF
the colonists was gathered. The corn
yielded well, the barley was tolcrably
good, bat the pease were a failure, owing
10 drought aud late sowing. Satisfied.
however, with the abundance OF their
fruits, ioar huntsmen were sent out for
fowls; and, at their return, having been
successful, the Pilgrims rejoiced together
"aiter special manner" Alassasoi,, the
chief OF one OF the neghboring tribes o.
Indians, aud ninety OF his men, were pres.
ent on the occasion, aud participated in
the festivities. Thus the festival O.
thanksgiving" was instituted in New
England.
In the second year after this public fes.
tival Was held, the day was rendered more
solemn aud impressive, in consequence o..
special deliserance OF the colony, b.
Divine Providence, from impending lam.
inc. In this year, (lG23,) Tears were en-.
tertained for the safety OF the COLONY, By
reason OF an anticipated lanine. From
the third week in May to the middle OF
JAY, no rain fell. The corn withered
undsr the heat OF the scorching sun. The
Indians prophesied famine TO, the colony,
aud a consequent easy triumph over them.
In this extremity, public fast was oh
served with great solemnity, the first ev.
er kept on t csc Western shores. The
morning OF the fast was cloudless, and
the day proved intensely hot. Nine
ioars, these trusting and faithful Christ.
,ans continued in prayer. wrestling for U
blessing; ye, the sun shonc brightly, aud
the air was sultry. But, as evening ap'
preached, a change was visible, clouds
collected, and, before morning, rain d.
sc.nded in moderate but refreshing show
crs. The rain continued ut intervals foI
fourteen days, the languishing crops re
slvcd, and bountiiul harvest succeeded
In token OF general gratitude, a day o
public thanksgiving was ordered, the sec
ond such day ever observed after tn,
''tirst harvest had been gathered by "th,
Fathers" as before slated.
| This festival was originally confined il
its observance TO the SONS OF the Pilgrim
and the state of Massachusetts; but !
J has now become almost national festiva
peculiarly appropriate Ms an expression o
lgratitude TO Goj, and an acknowledgment
OF dependence upon him for his boauties
1t is also productive OF many plcasin,
"reminiscences connected with the JOYS o
our childhood, and the nlaturer but NOR
exquisite delights OF our own hearth
sides; Tor there parents and children
brothers and sisters, and all the loved ob
jccts OF the family group renew, at tn
) festive board, the VOWS OF affection, ex
change l.lnd greetings and revive recol
leciions OF the past to enliyen the present
The Pilgrimage OF life is Frightened
. and sweetencd BY the innocent anuse
ncnts and healthfal recreations: and
sense OF obligation to the Giyer of al
good is implanted more deeply in th
heart, sanctifyins our trials and enhanc
~ ing our blessings, by a consciousness Q
the presence and protection Of God.
tThe facts embodied in this account Q
the origin # Thanksgiving are ,akel
principally from ,.Thc History Of Masss
chusetts" By J. S. Barry. and from c. A
: GooIrich's "llisiory OF III. United States,
and may therefore be regarded as au
} thentic. The piece rs here given may b
!. 10 inI in the Fourth Reader VI th, Pc
,rsssivc Series BY 5. Town aud N. n
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