Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-12-02
Past and Present

There appears to be rather universal
idea that the spirit manifested in the mod
ern observance of Thanksgiving has not
the solemnity of the earlier observance of
the day that the religious essence OF the
occasion is sadly missing. while feasting
and sporting have greatly increased.
Many have the opinion that our fore
fathers spent the day in religious services,
giving themselves up to prayer and
preaching, the observance more becoming
fast day than one Of rejoicing and good
cheer. The last number of the Magazine
of American History has an article which
goes quite thoroughly into the history of
Thanksgiving and combats the idea of
which we have spoken. According to
this authority the later observance of the
day is not very far removed from that of
its originators. 1t was then season of
feasting and rejoicing, not for day but
week. The harvest had been gathered,
there were wild fowl and fish in abundance.
the efforts Of the colonists to supply them
selves with provisions for the coming
months had been blessed, and so with
happy hearts Thanksgiving was appointed
and observed with loaded tables, gener-
Gus hospitality and decent sports. Ed
ward Winslow thus speaks of this public
commemoration of the abundance of the
season.
sour harvest being gotten in. our governor
civilian Bradford) sent four men on fowl
ing; 90 that we might after special manner
rejoice together after we had gathered the
fruit of our labors. They four in one day
killed a. much fowl As, with little help be-
side, served the company almost q week.
At which time, amongst other recreation We
exercised our arms many of the Indians COM
ing amongst US, and among the rest their
greatest King Massasoyt, with some ninety
men. whom for three days we entertained
and Toasted; and they went out and killed
Ave deer, which they brought to the plantation
and bestowed on our governor, and upon the
captain (Myles S.andish) and others. And
although it be not always so plentiful a. it
was at this time with US, yet by the goodness
of God, we are so far from want that we often
wish you partakers of our plenty"
This is the first authentic record of
Thanksgiving. These ten lines told the
whole story. while now it requires columns
of the newspapers to relate the events and
incidents of modern Thanksgiving. But
the colony at that time consisted OF only
fitty-five persons. while at the present
time we are fifty-ive millions. 1.-The
colonists then were," saws the Magazine
of American History. 1.-THE survivors OF
the hundred souls and more who landed
from the Mayflower. Forty-six had died
during ten terrible months, and yet
these stern Puritans found it in their hearts
not only to rejoice together, but to well
come nearly double their number of friend
" Massasoits, and entertain them to the
best of their ability. General good hui
NOR evidently prevailed. There was the
preliminary hunt. the shooting at mark.
and other recreations which certainly in q
modest way Offset the intercollegiate foot
ball. and the lacrosse. and the horse rae
ing of today. MIR. Winslow. it will be
noted, fails to give prominence to the re.
iginus exercises, which, however, we may
fairly assume were duly observed. since
they were never omitted; but upon the
whole we are inclined to think that our
newspaper columns, of the present time
give picture that compares not unfavor
ably with that presented by the ten lines
that have come down to US in the contem
porary Darrative."
Thanksgiving has changed from loca
to national institution, it has become al
occasion for the reunion of families be-
meath the home root. but the spirit of frol