Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1880-11-24

As the Feast of Tabernaces, celebrated
in Autumn by the Israelites after the chief
fruits of the ground, the corn and the wine
and the oil had been gathered in, was the
most joyous Of all the feasts Of the oldep
time in Israel, so Joyous that according to
the saying Of the Mishna, he who had not
seen the rejoicings of this time knew not
what real joy was,-so our Thanksgiving,
which most nearly resembles it and is in
fact, both in time and object, patterned after
it, is the most joyous festival of our year.
Especially is this 50 in New England where
this harvest festival began.
The most enduring and satisfying Joy is
that of home and family life, flowing out to-
wards God who is the author and finisher Of
all. Our Thanksgiving festival has all the
elements Of Joyous family life in it, the love
of kindred and the love of God. Now when
our revered rulers, the President of the
United States and the Governor of the State
of Vermont unite in setting apart the day
as day Of joyous Thanksgiving, let us all
heartily unite in its proper observance.
We cannot recite the themes for gratitude.
New England, and each state in it, has
them special and ample. The "three hun.
bred and sixty-fve varieties Of weather."
corresponding to the number of days in the
year, with the everchanging skies and va
rying hues in the heavens, on the land and
on the water,-these are cause and con-
tributor to gratitude and thanksgiving.
They leave not life dull and vapid. They
terminate ideas, and make life spring out in
thought and feeling and action. And life,
joyous life, consists in these rather than in
hours and days drawn out. The rocky hills
and the sterile soil and the rigorous winter,
of which we have taste now, all these serve
the highest purpose. When DIR. McCosh,
the doughty metaphysician of Princeton,
looking off from the Berkshire hills of Mas
sachusetts asked Dr. Hopkins, his equal,
"Why Doctor, what do you raise on such
land Z" With just pride and little twinkle
of the eye, perhaps, the New England phil
osopher replied, ave raise men, sir"
Happy is that land that has the most and
does the most to raise men.
Peace among men, the peace which the
Prince of Peace brings, of which New Eng
land has the greatest share and Vermont a
Benjamin's mess, peace comes next after the
men that can enjoy peace. Prominent, es-
pecially so by comparison with other peo-
pies and by experience after the turmoil and
strife of our election, which has hardly yet
subsidized in some states is our peace. But
the causes are numberless. Every family
has its blessings, every heart its joy, for
which to praise the Giver of all good.
But joy must go out in order to be full.
Thanksgiving is goodly time to gladden.
other hearts with gifts. The bountiful din
nsrs which are no mean part of our festival
are doubly enjoyable eaten with the con-
seriousness that others are enjoying the same
gift. Blessings" says the Nestor of the
Religious Press. DIR. Prime, Ego in baskets,
when they are sent, and happy is the sender
as well as the receiver. And we knew
man once, whether in the city or out of the
city we will not say, who wished to make to
minister little present, on or before
Thanksgiving, and enclosing $50 in gold in
this note, sent it to him:
Rev and Dear Sir.-Having no turkey to give
you for Thanksgiving, | send two eagles in
stead"
And as half feast is better than none,
we suggest when the whole eagle is not pos
sessed the half or the quarter be sent. We
go for the eagle. 1t is the gift that pacifeth