The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1874-11-27
THANKSGIVING.


The President of the United States, as
well as the Governor of the State of
Oregon, after a recital of the numerous
blessings which have in the past year
been vouchsafed to US, have proclaimed
that it becomes us as a people, publicly
to acknowledge our obligations there
for to the Great Giver of all good, and
have set apart Thursday, the 26th day Of
the present month, as a suitable time to
make such acknowledgements. In ac-
cordsnce with long-established custom
many Of the good and loyal citizens o.
this commonwealth will on that day re.
frain from their usual business avoca-
tions, fOrsake for awhile the "marts oi
gain" thronged by eager feet on Gus
tomaFy week days, and in response to
the summons of the church bells, bend
their steps toward the "shrines OF
prayer" thrown invitingly open. Others
glad Of release from the ordinary
routine of every day life, while they do
not give thanks with those who bow in
the sanctuary, yet spend pleasant day
with friends and family, and II they fail
to return thanks for a nations happi-
ness, peace and prosperity, feel genuine
emotion of gratitude for the respite from
toll, the reunion with friends and the
bountiful cheer that Thanksgiving day
brings to them. Little children let
loose from school, breathlessly exclaim
as they cross the threshold of home, "To-
morrow is Thanksgiving day-no school
tomorrow, mother" and "mother,n 81
STOPPING to lift from the oven the savory
mince pies that cause new exclamations
Of delight from eager little voices, smiles
quietly at the pleasure the holiday
promises to them.
Tired teachers turn from the doors OF
school-houses, answering in the Mega
tue for the fortieth time the question,
"Will there be school tomorrow ?''-
for however publicly the announcement
be made, each child seeks to render as
suranee doubly sure by personal interro-
gation-and in their hearts, and the
nGAA - VI AAEAl AEdCAAElSd q 4EA vent
giving begins.
The art Of keeping this day in the
staid and severe manner of our fore
fathers may be numbered among the "lOst
arts" yet there is perhaps as much
genuine thankfulness felt for the re-
currenee Of the day and the various
quiet pleasures that it brings, as there
was when the outward forms of worship
were so rigidly enforced and observed.
There were doubtless then as now
many who regarded Thanksgiving day
as day of feasting, desirable and delight
ful, because of the annual turkey and
the savory yiands served. Doubtless
then as now there were those who re-
garded the proclamation recommending
its observance rs a mere matter of form,
and while with lip service and with out
ward semhlance Of gratitude, the day
Was more strictly and generally OBJ
served, yet perchance the heart-throbs
Of thankfulness for blessings publicly
and privately enjoyed are as genuine
and as frequent as in the good old days
Of our Puritan ancestors.
It is meet for those of us to whom this
Thanksgiving day, lying among the last
fieeting weeks Of one thousand eight
hundred and seventy four, finds en-
dowed with health, surrounded by ouI
loved ones and blessed with friends and
bodily comforts, should while returning
thanks for the manifold blessings that
We enjoy, turn our hearts to those who,
bereft Of comforts, home and friends, bit.
terly feel that they have nothing to be
thankful for" that Thanksgiving is tC
them q mockery, and by timely aid anC
encouragement, cause the day to expand
into one of Thanksgiving also TO them
As we have many times in years that
are gone, after week of funremitting toll
arisen on Sabbath morning, thrown
open the windows 20 admit the beauti.
ful summer sunlight, and with a hear
full Of fthankfulness for the sweet rest that
the day would bring, exclaimed, "Blessed
be Sunday" so now with heart full oi
gratitude to the great Ruler of the Uni
verse, both for the blessings of the past
and the happiness and rest that the day
VIII bring alike to those favored of for
tune, and to the "toiling poor who
make nations great" we say-blessed
be Thanksgiving day.