The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1860-11-15
THE PACIFIC
Commercial Advertiser.
THTRSDAY. Is.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER IS.
y NOTICE will be found in our advertising
columns, of a day of THANKSGIVING appointed by
the Hawaiian Evangelical Association. The day
designated is THURSDAY. November %, the same
as that to be generally observed for the same
object throughout the American Union. So far
Us the p~ropriety Of u general day Of Thanksgiving
Is concerned, there can be but little difference of
opinion. Most countries. whether they be Catho-
lie, Mah1mmedan or Protestant, have their
national festive days, which, in some, occur
Oftener than once = year. In England, to
which most Of us trace back our ancestry, Christ
mas is the great festive day-a day Of national
thanksgiving. Though requiring no annual pro-
clamation to make it such, it is nevertheless the
great day of individual and national praise to
God for his fayors. As such it is observed at
home, and rs such it is acknowledged abroad. 1t
il to England that the origin of 4 great national
festive day Is to be traced.
In America, it has been customary, in the va
rious states, for a period of over two hundred
years, to set apart some day in each year for
thanksgiving. The custom originated in New
England. but has extended to nearly every State
in the Union. Its origin appears 10 have been a
necessity, from the fact, that as all established
days for fasts and feasts had been abolished from
their church calendar, it was too great a devia-
ton from the spirit of religion and the custom
observed in the mother countries, 10 omit all
special thanksgiving to the Creator. Hence u
day was appointed by the Governors that all who
chose, might observe it. as such. And so obvious
is the ProPriety Of the custom, that to this day it
has been annually observed with increasing re-
spect.
If, then, it is proper for individuals, communi-
ties and nations to observe q day for thanksgiv-
ing to the Ruler of the Universe, it certainly is
proper that the appointment of the day should
emanate from the Sovereign. Any proclamation
from any other source can in no sense be applica-
bic beyond the immediate sphere of the body from
whence it originates, and can in no wise be called
1t is on this account that we should
prefer TO see the appointment made by the King,
or at least by the several Governors, and no day
seems more appropriate than the 25th of Deem
Der, which it is customary for all Christian peo-
pie To observe as Il festive day, and would be
particularly appropriate here
But some will say, - What is the use of any
thanksgiving? ?" This brings us to the founda-
stone of affiliations recognition of the
Creator. Every religion recognizes God as the
Creator, and so far as a nation acknowledges him
rs the Ruler of the Universe. in so much does it
exalt itself. 1t is this firm, unwavering example
has raised England to her present high
position as the very foremost among the nations
IF the earth. Her noble ruler is not ashamed to
acknowledge the source from whence the nations
is derived, or withhold the debt of
due for the numberless blessings enjoyed.
Others will say, ave have more ills than
blessings, and while this is so, it hardly becomes
We had almost said, despise, the man who has Il
oul 50 small as to be unable to discern blessings
mong ills. That we have ills, troubles and sick
Iesses, no one will ueny but these are, in too
nany cases, the result of our own folly or indis-
retions. Neither can it be denied that evil exists
throughout the land. or that reverses and mis-
Ortunes attend som but amid all these, we
life and most of us health. The sun shines
yer our fair isles, the rains fall, the seasons re-
not surpassed in any other country. Every citi-
en- should be thankful for the gracious sovereigns
Tho rule over us, for life and health, for freedom,
IF political and religious privileges, for schools
nd other Institutions of learning, and for all the
OmmOn blessings of life which have been So
ountifully bestowed upon us.
We did not, however, intend giving a lecture
n this subject, but simply allude to the appro-
and Importance of the appointment of
national day of thanksgiving; and we trust that
ur rulers may take the same view of it, and fol-
W. the example of other, wiser and older nations.