The Portland daily press., 1883-11-29
The National Festival.

In another column an occasional contr-
butor to the PRESS considers whether the
quality of the observance of Thanksgiving
day has not changed somewhat since its first
establishment as Thanksgiving festival
That 1t Is now celebrated with less religious
formality is probably true; but the day has
not grown less dear on that account. 1t has
become the great festival Of home, and what
ever tends TO strengthen family ties and in
crease reverence for the virtues which are as
ISOLATED with the pure and happy homes of
the land is, in a large sense, religious. 1t
serves to ennoble character and exalt the
aims of men and women. Creeds and cere-
monies change, if God'an right are immu-
table; but there can be no religion worth
anything as factor in the elevation of man
kind which does not recognize the sacred
ness of homes. The most influential repre-
sentation of God to human hearts is that of
Father who regards US as his children, and
everything which intensifes and sweetens
the affections of the family relation prepares
the way for reader reception Of that idea
OF the relation OF God to men.
As we gather to-day in families to show
by joyful feast our gratitude fer the boun-
ties of the year, we do well to be merry as
we may in all innocent ways. And yet we
may not forge. either those who are home
less, or those whose homes are dark with
sorrow on account of vacant chairs at the
table which year ago were occupied by
dear ones, as much loved as any who re-
main. 1t may not have been our fortune to
be afflicted by such loss this year, but The
Thanksgiving day will come when we shall
miss the presence of some who are with us
to-day, and at some other Thanksgiving our
loved ones viii meet remembering us as one
never more to participate with them in the
celebration of the festival of the family.
The merry-making which is moderated by
tender recollectons of friends who are alb
sent is not less comforting to the heart. To
forget is to be selfish and to be selfish is
foreign to the sentiment of the occasion.
The proclamations which Summon us as
people to join in thanksgiving make men,
ton chiefly of the progress and prosperity
which the nation has enjoyed. 1t is well to
feel that whatever misfortune or affiiction
has befallen individuals it has not affected
seriously the general welfare. As people
our good. fortune and advantages are evil
dens. II is possible to believe we have ad-
vanced in the things that make for right
eousness, that the virtues which render citi-
zenship honorable and useful are more re-
spected, and the vices that degrade and ruin
character are more condemned, that the pub
lie sentiment is severer monitor over those
in places of responsibility, and the public
conscience demands stricter fidelity in the
duties of patriotism. The change in any sin
gle year may not be accurately measured,
but in long and wide survey a distinct gen.
eral trend towards higher popular ideals
may be discovered.
Therefore, to all its readers, the PRESS
extends congratulations. May the feast be
abundant, and whatever else it lacks, want
not the supreme delicacies of any festival,
cheerfulness, contentment, charity and
gratitude.