New-York tribune., 1873-09-05

n u cannot preser Ve theee II the Government cannot
the country 10, the churches save oo,h S M % n
into the field 10 show that we will never give II up Az
The close of the service called upon the conge
cation 10 remain; proposed subscription for church
regiment before night Of that memorable saoose
Inward of socOo were laid upon the altar Two women
SEM each $500 saying. We 90 put men In our
stead" That action went like fash OF eecuisSoTy sy
through the land 1t brought letters Of thanks from sen
ators at Washington, from members OF the Cabnet IRON
&c enerals in field IL cheered the burdened hcat W
the President and gave courage his ndomitape
Minister of War. ,
Nor in the opinion of the author is this spirit OF
limited scope and operation. The pulpit IN the
United States has ever been among the foremost Oh
the social forces. Ii has stimulated the people "
intellectual life, encouraged the taste for culture
and science, and created public sentiment ior All
that is true, and noble and good.
The annual thanksgiving, winch had l's oiisi"
with the New-England Puritans, often presents d
mystery to European travellers by reason Oh JUS
singular combination of the social ana rehg'ouS
elements. Dr. Thompson has some pertinent re-
marks on the subject, which may interest lour
readers.
Thanksgiving as yearly festival for the ingatneng ,ag
of the harvest was instituted by the Plgrns s9op sa
the settlement of Plymouth 1t was initiated oy Ine
other Colonies of and for long tms re ws o
known as the New gland festival BY degrees s oo
propriety and its happy associations as iain
feast caused II to he adopneI & % m W resden Lincoln
exalted 1t TO national festival; and as such rs now
welcomed
giving we're also observed upon memoFaoe e
Occasions; and it is an Interesting fact fact
that in 1881 ,Dta the Government ensc tnaSSsSaSnr
FOR the Of Proesants in Germany under
The yearly thanksgiving is no sectional festival;
SO abundant the fruits OF the land so diVersen
the products OF the several states that eaeh anu OF ~
have cause for THANKSGIVING without lea1ousy @ ~
Others. 1t is sectarian observance. MhdteNeI
God is acknowledged and worsniped,-the God a, OF
Christian of Jew, or tho philosophical Desl'
OF the believer in a supernatural reNelslOh;
every mans God, even Mature" herself, may pe
thanked AM praised In such festival as the s9urCe
all good Ii is household festival, which gathers
around it the fond ties OF family unon the blessed me
Ores OF the santed dead tokens Of parental ana OF
ha love. The gray hairs OF age, the roses OF YOUTH
the buds of infancy are woven together IN its
the evergreen Temembrances OF the past the Iresh-
blooming hopes OF the future. The Anglo race ls
rooted iu the home. ,
This rs feast of brotherhood. Good feeling abounds,
and shows itself caring for the needy, the wdow the
orphan. Every hospital every poorhouse, every ms
sion station shares esval the prisoner ls
cheered on this day with relaxation of his conne-
ment, some remembrance from the outside world ,,,
their own labors aud from ali the wondrous operations
of Nature back the God and Father OF ALL from whom
comet every good and perfect gift UDsectonai
unsectarian uniting the three chief elements OF SO
ciety,-hOme, humanity, relgOn,-thls festlVaI may
well stand before the world as picture Oh AmeIC"h
character and life.
The numerous friends Of Or. Thompson, whose
name is widely known in the highest circles OF
thought and culture in this country, will welcome
the present volume as an earnest of his continued
literary activity while absent from familiar and
dear associations But the intrinsic character OF ITS
contents will commend ii to a larger audience. III
claims emphatic recognition as thoughtful,
learned and able work deserving respectful atten-
ton aud sincere gratitude both at home and abroad
The volume is issued with neither index, nor table
of contents neglect the part OF the publishers
in the absence of the author of great inconvenience
and annoyance to the reader