The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1873-12-06
For The Cecil Wing.
DIOCESE OF EASTON, MARYLAND.
THANKSGIVING DAY IN ELKToN.

DIOCESE OF EASTON, MARYLAND.
THANKSGIVING DAY IN ELKToN.
This day was observed with more thai
usual interest by our church people here
and we flatter ourselves that our celebra
ton of it is worth some notice in print.
Our Parish Church, built of stone, afte
plans of Mr.. H. Congdon, in the earl,
pointed style, is an acknowledged gem O
Its kind; and we think it natural enough
not only to be proud of it ourselves, but tt
have il duly admired by others. Its beauty
was greatly enhanced by the decoration.
for this occasion.
Upon entering the church, the first
object that attracted the eye, was the nove
feature of huge cornucopiae of several
bushels capacity, lying on a bright-c olored
cloth outside the Sanctuary, just above the
chancel steps; out of whose capacious,
moss-lined mouth were tumbled in studied
confusion and admired disorder every kind
of fruit and vegetable that could be OBJ
tanned at such an advanced season. Pump.
kins yellow, melons green, ruddy apples,
bright lemons and oranges, celery well
bleached with tops of fresh green, beets
blood red, with deep purple leaves carrots,
potatoes both "white" and "sweet,"
corn yellow and white, with wheat and
oats and grasses commingled; filled and
flowed from the great Horn of PLENTY"
down over the rich cloth, on the steps and
even on the floor of the nave; while the
morning sun poured over them all the rich
rainbow hues of the altar window, adding
| brillianGy to the picturesque profusion.
The cornucopiae, it sould be noticed, was
not poniard shaped: like the stiff, gilded
little paper things full of mean candy,
with which children are deluded; but it
was the genuine "Horn" of poetry and
picture, horn shaped, with q vide manning
mouth, ornamented with color and gilt.
By common consent it was both appro-
pirate and effective.
From this conspicuous object the eye
soon turned to the massive sreystone font
at the left, which was crowned with an
exquisite wreath qf eyeygraep and wheat
"picked ont with golden lemons and pop
corn, red and white; and from which de-
pended around the octagonal faces clusters
of purple and white grapes. These more
decided colors contrasted beautifully with
the delicate tint Of the stone. 1ha more
modest colored font received really more
general admiration than the tiaHnting
many hued cornucopiae.
To the right the glance next wandered,
where stood the pulpit-lectern adorned
with shield-shaped autependium of
autumn leaves, prominent among which
were fern-leaves preserved in .hsif green
col"r-the whole forming most taseful
ornamentGti4H.
Thence the beholder looked into the
chancel, pausing to admire the similar rich
russet-hued leafy adornment OF the stalls
and desks in the choir, but fastening on to
the centre and crowaing work of all-the
decoration of the altar. The usual red
altar frontal was embroidered with
autumnal leaves, while just below it hung
a curtain of the same color draping in
festoon the whole front of the altar. 1t
was likewise adorned with leaves ana an
ornament composed Of opeA Iolls of cot
ton from North Carolina, ornamented with
tho sloky sprays of the pampas grass.
Above, on the Table, were laid crosswise
two small sheaves of wheat, while the re-
table bore above these again the most
striking and suggestive feature Of the
whole-the beautiful Altar-Cross hung
with punches ef purple and white grapes
resting against autumn leaves; and on
either side tsanked by the vases filled with
fall flowers, leaves and grasses:-the red,
star-powdered panels of the reredos, form
ing the background, and the great window
throwing the varied sunbeams over It all.
1t was combination of ligh. and color for
an artist and .. presentation of symbol
fitted to delight the contemplation of de-
vcut minds. Numbers of the large con
gregation fingered to examine the decora-
tons more closely; and all seemed to ad-
mire and to be impressed.
The services were correspontnngiy festal
and bright. The voices of the choir of
girls RAG oIs clear and sweet upon the
heavy bass Of the organ, while high and
strong above them both dominated the
fresh, powerful soprano which led them
In ioyousness the service was almost an
anticipation of Christmas.
In conclusion, yenturs to dissent from
some "a regard to our present day
OF Thanksgiving, and to suggest that
instead of following, the Church should
lead, the Puritans. Why should we adopt
the Puritan Thanksgiving on the tlss
Thursday of November instead of our own
on the .arst' The frs; Thursday is quite
too. late on come accounts, and by no means
so appropriate as the Harvest Home" of
England, Immediately following the in
gathering Of Harvest. But the Puritan
day has nothing whatever to recommend
it, except that which marks some Ytaq3
Puritan castoms-its Gt.sr variance with
church usage i eSo.Tnleas ones. SO late that men
have ip:.goti3en the Harvest aud actually
seeded for new one, cold weather forbids
general turn out of the people; many
vegetables are rare or gone, and flowers are
rarcr; and lastly it brings the festival
inconveniently near to Christmas.
Our Rubric leaves it optional with US to