The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1874-11-26
OBSERVANCE OF THE DAY.

Cynics and skeptics are wont to sneer at
these latter day observances of Thanks
giving day, arguing theretrom that 1t Is an
idle and unmeaning custom, that its original
intention has been lost sight of, In a word
that there is no real thanksgiving about it.
When we come to inquire for the reasons
for-thls conclusion. I'VE find the answer TO
be somewhat like this that the day Is
more devoted to festivity than to religious
worship, that bountiful repasts laden the
tables, that family gatherings take place
during the day while the evening Is passed
either in the dance or other pastlme. We
admit the facts but deny the conclusion.
1t is true that we do not 60 around with
the stern, austcrc faces that we have been
taught to believe our fathers of century
or two ago INDUCED in on this anniversary,
but pray tell us, Mr.. Doubter, can we not
give thanks 10 the Creator with joyful as
we'll as long faces? Is thanksgiving indi-
catiye of joy or grief, and, if of the former,
what business has long, extremely
solemn face to show itself on the day
What matters it ii, after religious services
are over, the remaining part of the festival
be inaugurated with tables grooming with
the fruits which the earth has brought
forth in plenty IL the family and
| friends, around the festive board,
testify in that manner their ap-
al, Ian .rIIf O
of Cod to man? is any one the
worse for 1t? Are they not, the rather,
benefited thereby? Which impression is
it the better to imprint on the mind of chill
dren, that thanksgiving for the mercics
vouchsafed to us is a time of rejoicing or
of sorrow We pretend, and VIC trust we
all do, to humble ourselves when we keep
the annual fast day, but to-day we rise
from our humility and with feasting and
shouts of Joy render up thanks to the
Givcr. We do it joyously, not with sor-
row. regret or long faces. Further, how
is the child or adult harmed by joining in
an innocent dance whether it is done AT
/
hall Are we not imprcssing the same
lesson, that the obscrvances of the day are
| Joyous not grievous ? 1t is true that the
festival may become the gala day of glut
tons, and that the dance may degenerate
into something dsreputable; but this being
Il common failing of poor, fallen humanity
let us not allow it to bring reproach upor
an anniversary hallowed with age as wei
as to every heart. Let us trust that il
whatever way the day may be observed i
will be in the spirit of the Psamists, whel
he sings so praise God in his holiness
praise him in the armament of his power
Praise him in the sound of the trumpet
praise him upon the lutte and harp. Prais
him in the cymbals and dances praise hin
upon the strings and pipe. Praise him up
on the well-tuned cymbals praise hin
upon the loud cymbals. Let every thin!
that hath breath praise the Lord. SO Davi,
sings and so we can see, notwthstandin!
these DIRECTORS, that no kind of amuse
ment is incompatible with praise an,
thanksgiving. In this spirit let us ente
upon the observances of the day whethe
in our religious worship, our festive gather
ings whether they lie for feasting, dancing
or other amusemcnts, If we 50 do, we cal
afford TO let the cynics and skepics con
| tinue their snarling and growing,