Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1871-12-06
THANKSGIVING DAY.

things that arc Gods" and publicly and
thankfully acknowledge His most gracious
care and loving kindness unto us, a nation
and a people-being mindful at all times,
as individuals, to ascribe praise, and glory,
and honor to His holy name.
This day, set apart by our rulers, Nation
al and State, by official proclamation, ac-
knowledging our utter dependence upon
the goodness and mercy of God, and re-
turning thanks for our existence, preser-
walton and continuance as an undivided
people for the rich and abundant pros
perity with which He has blessed our
highly favored land; for thewisdom, learn
ing, experience and unaninity animating
our rulers and statesmen, and their hon
esty and steadfastness of purpose; for the
plenty which has been vouchsafed unto
US for the genial showers and the ripen-
ing sun, and the means of subsistence
and sustenance 80 lavishly bestowed
upon us-for all these good and gracious
gifts, we say, it is meet that we should re-
turn our most humble and heartfelt thanks
to the "Giver of every good and perfect
gift" . .s ..zara.e
The year SO rapidly drawing to close
has been marked by many changes. With
some, forms familiar and we'll known places
will be seen no more in life. Others have
gone to that "bourne from whence no
| traveller returns" and we are still spared,
while word, a breath, would have con-
signed our frail bark helmless wreck on
the unknown pillows of the boundless
ocean of eternity.
1t is a season for retrospection. We look
back over the dim vista of the past and
note an error done, a wrong committed,
and shudder at the frightful waste of that
| time which might have been withdrawn
from us at any ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS for
the final change-hurrying our perishable
bodies to the narrow confines of the tomb,
while even now, but for the mercy of God,
in some lonely spot, the leafless trees of
chilling winter would be signing the
mournful requiem of life crushed--a spi-
rit eternally lost.
But while such feelings should not be
ignored, this is not gloomy hour. 1t is a
season for rejoicing and time for happi-
ness and pleasure. Far away among the
mountains of sterling, rugged New Eng
land, in our Eastern cities and Southern
towns, from the Atlantic to the golden
shores of the Paciic-all over free Ameri-
ca, the good housewife bestirs herself, and
at the old, old hour of meridian, the
groaning board laden with good cheer at
test the abundance of those creature COM
forts which make glad the heart of the
hungry, and the epicure. And in more
! Nnrtbarn latitndac uhap fba uhndOuye Of
evening fall, the merry jingle of the sleigh
bells is heard, as youth and maiden, with
| glowing cheeks and ringing laughter, speed
over the crusted snow in the blissful en-
ljoyment of that most exhilarating of WIN
ter's sports-a sleigh ride.
A Swedish writer gives a description
of the celebration of the "Slotter OH or
harvest home, in Sweden, which shows
that the feeling of rejoicing and thanks
giving is general throughout the Christian
world. In Scania, one of the provinces of
that kingdom, and elsewhere, it has been
the custom from time immemorial for the
peasentry on the occasion to devote a day
to pleasure and festivity. To them it is
one of the happiest in the year. Their
joy is loud and general. All are animated
by the qualification which is the reward of
every honest man on the successful COM
pletion of his labors. The festival takes
, place when the fields are shorn of their
treasures and the grain safely housed
The peasants, as with those in a higher
position in life, express their delight in
: the pleasures Of the tables.
, a well-furnished board has been with
us a needful adjunct to social comfort and
> pleasure. By eating and drinking we
praise the care of Providence; we express
, our loyalty as subjects, our gratitude to-
ward our benefactors, and our sympathy
: with the important occurrences of the day
= BY it we honor our cOtempOrary celebri
: ties, and show our affection toward oul
: friends; and our gratitude our respect
: our love, and our delight are not unfre
: quently measured by the quantity ant
| quality OF the Viands set before US. The
o. guests on these occasions are numerous
/ Relations, friends and neighbors have a
I aided in gathering the corn into the gar
7 ner and when their labor Is accomplish
e ed, by the invitation of the host, assemble
: to discuss the contents Of his larder.
Thanksgiving Day All hail another
e and may the grand and heaven-inspireC
: institution never depart from us, but ma,
Y our children, and our childTen's children
f be privileged, as we are, to-day, to "Shou
: for Joy and be glad; yea, TO say continual
: ~, Let the Lord be magnified, which hatl
d pleasure in the prosperity Of His servants.
r But as we assemble around the fiesta
| board let us remember the needy, who
: perchance more deserving than some VIII,
bask in fortunes smiles lack the comfort
s and necessaries of life, and aid them &C
: cording to our ability and their necessi
r ties.