The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1886-11-19

THANKSGIVING DAY

~ has been the custom in the United
States, since Abraham Iincoln'a prrsi-
dency ia 1862, to set apart duy in each
year, at the close of the harvest. Tor
national Thanksgiving aud PRAYER. TIN
saiutary usage takes its origin from New
England, the fathers Of that great Com
monweAlih being sincere and deyout
Christians as we'll as honest and cour-
ageous men. Upon lincoln assuming
the presidency Of the United States. as
We have already said, this New England
custom was adopted as ii national one
aud ever since that date the fourth
Ihursday in November Of each year has
usually been set apart az festival Of
prayer and praise in the United States
The idea Is good one, and especially
Is u so in the case of country which
does not recognize God ia its Constitu-
tion." II shows that nation may be
devout without making official recogni-
ton Of a Supreme Being, aud the insti-
tuition Of Thanksgiving Day is the very
best answer that can be- given to the
party al religious zealota who are agitat-
ing for "A change in the Federal I onstltu-
ton 10 supply tits alleged defect. If
anything were wanting 10 that end if
viii be fonnd in the annual Thanksgiving
proclamation Of the President OF the Re
public, and the supporting prociama-
tons OF the Governors oi tho respective
States and Territories.
President Cleveland las fixed Thurs
day November 25th. as Thanksgiving
Day foE this year, upon which the nation
should acknowledge the goodness aud
mercy of God. and invoke Ills continued
care and protection A" The President re-
quests all the people upon that dav to
'iorego their employments and assemble
ia their usual places Of Worship to give
thanks To the Ruler of the Universe for
their continued enjoyment Of the bless
ings OF free government, for the renewal
OF business prosperity throughout the
land. tor the return which has rewarded
the labor of those who till the soil. and
Tor their great progress as a people in all
that makes nation great. President
Cleveland continues. and while We
contemplate the infinite power of God in
earthquake, flood amt storm, let the
grateful hearts of those Who have been
ahielded from harm through His mercy.
be turned in sympathy and kindness
toward those Who have suffered through
Ills Visitaitons, Let AS also, in the
midst OF our thanksgiving, remember the
poor and needy with cheerful gifts and
aims, 50 that our service may, hy deeds
OF charity, be made acceptable ia the
sight OF the Lord "
Surely this is recognition. broad and
sufficient Of the dependence Of the Tx
eeutlve OF the United States and nation
upon Divine power aud guidance ana
indeed II is a living confession of faith.
for and cn behalf of the people. vi far
greater significance than if IL were en- /
bodied in a formal constitutional detla-
ration, Al any rate that is how We re-
gard IT, II viii be seen from crr al
Nertising columns thar Mr.. Frank I.
Hastings, Acting Charge d'Atfanrs Tor
The United States, has invited an OBJ .
'erVanee Of Thursday next, the 25th in 7.
slant, as day OF prayer and thanks .
giving by all American citizens ON these
Islands, in sympathy with the people oi .
he United States. The call is one That +
should be cordially responded - hy an .
Americans domjelled here, as we'll as hy
lac people AT larse.