The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1881-03-30

to pay all due respect to the same
In the last sentence of chap XIV, sec
4, of the present Directory, quoted above
the authority Of the Civil Government to
appoint days of fasting and thanksgiv-
ing Is expressly stated and, as some in
terpret its language, the obligation OF the
Church to observe these DAYS is distinctly
: acknowledged. In the Revised Directory
this authority is not denied, but nothing
is said on the subject.
Let us look at this matter in the light
OF Its history in our country and under
cur government. The only days of fast
ing ever appointed by the United States
government, in so far as l know, were
appointed immediately preceding. or dur
ing the continuance of the late war, and
they had especial reference to the war.
How were they regarded in our Southern
Church ? The day of humiliation ap-
pointed by President Buchanan, Just be-
lore the war commenced, was generally
observed III Virginia and the adjoining
States; but In the more Southern States
1t was looked upon as made Tor political
ettect-and such doubtless was the fact
and utterly dlsregarded. Respecting the
appointments made during the war, there
Is no need that should speak.
The only days Of thanksgiving ever ap-
pointed by the United States government
were, either days appointed to celebrate
certain victories in the war, or, the an
nual days of Thanksgiving which of late
years have been appointed by the Presi-
dent, seeming ly, as matter OF course.
The annual thanksgiving originated in
New England, where the Puritan fathers
substituted it for Christmas; and gradu-
ally extending under the influence of
New England emigration through the
North and West, it seems now to have
become one of our national HOLIDAYS.
Throughout our Southern Church the
observance of this day has been, from the
first generally disregarded.
The Presbyterian Church condemns the
appointment of such days, as days of OBJ
ligatory religious observance. The Ian
guage of the present Directory is: ITO
observe days of tasting and thanksgiving
as the ertraord1maay dispenSations of d.
vine providence may direct, we Judge
both scriptural and rational" chap XIV,
sec. 2. The language of the revised Di-
rectory is more specific. "To observe
days of humiliation and thanksgiving, SCI
apart not as annual or otherqUaSe fred
and stated O6SerVamces, but as the extra
ordinary dispensations OF divine provi-
dence may direct, we judge both scriptural
and rational" chap. II, Sec l.
Speaking of the annual fast day OBJ
served in Scotland, writer in Chambers
Encyclopedia says The fast day of
large town is always busy day on the
railways, many taking advantage of it
tor excursions, and making it day OF
amusement; too many, also, a day OF dis
sipation and revelry. That it is right to
keep up the annual fast day in these cir
cumstances is doubted by many who
themselves conform to its religious OBJ
servance, although of that observance
tasting does not now generally form a
part. What is said here of the annual
tast-day in Scotland, may be said with
equal truth of the annual thanksgiving
day OF the Northern States; and of the
Christmas Originally religious festival,
as It's name points ouD in the Southern
states; 10 the appointment of such hol-
ldays by the Civil Government we have
no objection; and Of the observance OF
them, as Thanksgiving day at the North,
ana christmas at the South are observed
by the better class Of people, as days OF
family gathering and social reunion we
heartily approve; but with this observ-
ance the Church, as such has nothing to
do; and every attempt to give them per
manentlya distinctively religious char
acter we believe Will prove failure.
The history of holidays Originally holy
days. and Saints days teaches this in no
uncertain manner.
The language Of the present Directory
seems to make it the duty of our churches
to observe these annual THANKSGIVING
days with public religious services; and
have known conscientious ministers
greatly troubled by it. The language of
the Revised Directory conforms to the
Judgment of our Southern Church on this
point, as made evident by her uniform
practice. 1t does not prohibit the OBJ.
servance of the day by public religious
services where the Session of the church
may choose so to observe it; it does not
deny the right of the Civil Government
to appoint days of fasting or thanksgiv-
ing either annual or special for fasting
and Thanksgiving are dictates of natural
religion, and have been observed among
most heathen nations, as the fast in Min
eveh to which "G w. B." refers bnt IL
MAKES o6Ltgoto1Y the observance of such
daVg and eucb o,I,, ~. 49,. -