Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1881-11-22
THANKSGIVING DAY.

not become debauched BY the pernicious
doctrines of those who would undermine
all sacred things, we shall expect to find
thanksgiving services more fully attended
than usual The tragic death of our beloved
President, during the past year, with the
exhibition Of Christian fortitude and trust
which sustained him through those weeks
Of fiery trial, have deepened religious
sentiment throughout the country. The
spectacle of a dying President sustained
BY that faith which has smoothed the
path of so many unknown Christians, as
they approached the grave, has led many
to more thoughtful consideration of the
claims of religion. If our churches are
wise, and alive to their opportunities,
they will seek to deepen this scn,imen,
and increase this thoughtfulness by hold
ing specially attractive Thanksgiving
services, agreeably to the excellent proc
lama,ion of President Arthur.
Our farmers have special cause for
,hankfulness, this year. The season has
been an unusually favorable one for their
occupation. All kinds of crops have
Welded well. and buoyant market has
made the harvest of more value than in
wears of over-abundance. With apples
lively at from two TO three dollars per
barrel: potatoes selling at from seventy
five cents to one dollar a bushel; pork at
eigh, cents; poultry from fourteen to
twenty cents, and eggs at almost any
price, and all other farm crops in proper
ton, he indeed must have been thriitless
or unfortunate who does not have money
in pocket and provision in store. The
fear Of an insufficient winter water sup
ply has been removed by the copious
rains of fortnight. What then is more
natural than a joyous feeling of praise
and thanksgiving toward that Power
which has sent such prosperity to US.
While high prices bring prosperity and
happiness to the farmer, they grind the
face OF the cities poor. High priced
potatoes and whea, and beans. mean to
many a city resident, deprivation and to
others, actual starvation or dependence
upon charity. While the farmers of this
section are rejoicing with their families,
kindred and friends, next Thursday, it
will heigh,en their happiness to :.'remem-
Der the poor" Children are the greatest
sufferers during hard winters, and we do
not know of more satisfactory mode Of
assisting the poor than through the Chill
dten's Aid Societies, such as the Howard
Mission of New York. A barrel of DO
ta,oes or other vegetables, some partly
worn clothing, or a chunk Of pork or
beef which would be scarcely missed from
MANY a cellar in this section, would add
materially TO the resources Of such insti-
,u,;ons, and warm the donors heart with
a glow of pure satisfaction. We speak
of these far away poor, because our
sayiour's remark "the poor have ye have
ALWAYS with you" does not seem to apply
10 this section. We do not know of
family within circuit Of two miles who
could be considered subject to charity, or
who would not scorn to accept charity.
We believe this desirable condition to be
due TO a thorough enforcement of the
prohibitory law, so that laborers are not
temp,ed to squsnder their wages for rum.
Poor persons who come here, willing to
work. find enough to do, and soon become
independent. We have in mind several
who came here poor, but who have saved
their earnings and purchased little houses
and one who came to town but few
years ago and hired out by the month,
now owns a nice little farm. There is
no, "scrub woman" in the place, and
the two or three who take in all the
washing they can do, live a mile or two
out of the village. We are obliged to
seek foreign outlet to our charitable
impulses. Charity begins at homeland
your poor neighbors, if YOU have any,
are entitled to first remembrance on the
approaching holiday.
Many of our readers will doubtless
lay this supplement aside for holiday
reading. To such our best wishes for
joyous family reunion, and bountiful
repast, will not seem untimely. Enjoy
the holiday as best you may. 1t is one
of the very few bequeathed to US by our
mirth DESTROYING, Puritan ancestors. As
a people, we have followed too closely
their steady working habits, and cut free
from their true inward piety. If we had
retained their religious fervor, and had, at
the same time cultivated more joyous
spirit, we should have made still greater
progress in the art of living. We need,
here in the country, to meet together on
public holidays, whole village or town,
and cultivate spirit Of sociability and
harmony, which shall take US out of our
narrow. selfish, Understanding customs.
The tendency of the times is toward such
desirable end. Farmers grangers and
secret societies are growing, where politi-
cal and religious debate are forbidden.
showing that the people have a feeling of
their need of more and higher privileges.
As an assistant in this work, we hail
Thanksgiving Day, with its family, soci-
ETY. and village reunions. ]