The Sedalia weekly bazoo. [volume] (Sedalia, Mo.) 187?-1904, 1889-12-03

mat Olu Oldch quiz lLat mas OOne 50 uucu
damage among US.
All now perceived the wisdom and fit
ness of Mr.. Buckl ey's advice, and re-
solved 10 be governed by it. As "a cunse-
quence, all animOsities subsidized, and per-
feet harmony was restored to the long
dissentient church. What was contained
10 the church letter, sent ID the sfarmer,
and what effect il had upon him am un-
able to say.
Strict as the old Puritans were, they were
not opposed to certain games-particular-
ly those of an outdoor character. Prowls
and backgammon were permitted, and the
young men and maiden. were not restrict
ed, in the colonies of Plymouth and Mas
sachusetts Bay, at least from participating
in them upon Thanksgiving day after they
had devoutly attended two meetings
Some of the old English fireside games
we're also permitted and many a bevy of
Puritan lads and lassies participated In
snap dragon, or Hind mans buff, on
Thanksgiving night. This custom of max
irg the occasion one for family and social
reunion and devotIng it largely TO inlo-
cent amusement is still one of the most
honored in connection with Thanksgiving
Day, and nowhere more 50 than
IN NEW ENGLAND.
The Puritsps and their descendants for
many years after them were strongly OPP
posed to the introduction of any musical
instrument at divine worship. But in IL
SO member of the choir connected with
bingham Mass meeting no use-the old
est church in the country, having been
built in 16Sl-had learned to play npon
the violoncello, was anxious to exhibit his
skill, and accordingly brought his big fd-
die into The singing gallery on Thanksgiv-
ing morning. While the hymn was being
read, he yentured to try his strings to as
certain if the instrument were in tune, and
thereby attracted the attention of the pas
tor. The good man paused, laid down his
hymn book, and proceeded with his sermon
as though singing formed no part of public
worship, and finally dismissed the congre-
CATION without note o. comment. The
members of the choir were indignant
The young men and girls resolved not to
60 into the singing seats" at all in the
afternoon, and the elders who did 60 there
wore look of stern resolution. The pas
tor read a psalm aud sat down. No sound
followed. After long silence be read the
psalm again with flushed face and stern
manner, looking interrogstively at the gal
lery. The choir-lesder, my great-grand-
father, by the way, from whom the story
has been handed down to succeeding gen.
erations, could bear il no longer aud called
out decisively, "There'll be no singing
here this Thanksgiving"
"There'u be no preaching" said the pas
tor, and, taking his cooked hat from its |
peg, he marched out of church, leaving his |
paraIyzed with establishment |
The big fiddle did not appear again in the |
singing seats"
The general observance of an annual |
Thanksgiving day spread very slowly out |
side of New England. An American edi- |
ZION of the Episcopalian prayer book, dat |
ed 1879, strongly advised il, but the rec
was not regularly proclaimed |
by any state governor outside of New Eng
land till 1917, and it is only within TWEEN
ty-four years psst that il has been custom
airy for the president of the United States
to proclaim il.
The FIRST American Thanksgiving was in
1921. The PUritans agreed among them
selves that since their prudence and fore.
thought had been so wonderfully blessed
of God, they would send out four men
hunting that they might rejoice together
in a special manner after the fruit of their
Iabors had been gathered. According to
the historian barley and Indian corn were
their only crops, the "peas were not worth
gathering, for, as we feared, they were too
ate sown." This was under the good Gov.
Bradford. The fonr men who went hunt
ing brought In as much game as served the
company for a week. The recreations of
The day consisted of the exercise of their
arms, Massasoit, the Indian chief, and
ninety OF his men coming among them for
.hree days, during which time they were
and Toasted by the colonists,
he Indians killing and bringing to
THE FEAST FIVE DEER.
The next New England Thanksgiving
Day was in July, 1923, which had been
appointed as day of fasting and PRAYER
IN account of drought While they were
praying rain fell abundantly, and the
governor appointed it instead a day of
In June, 1882, Gov. Win.
hrop of the Massachusetts, Bay colony
nyited the governor of the Plymouth
olony to unite with him in a lay of pub
ic thanksgiving because the action of the
British Privy Council had been favorable
o the colonies. In Massachusetts, Bay
olony, old records show that days Of
thanksgiving were appointed in 1882, 1884, !
637, 1888 and 1889, and sometimes of !
nore than one day in the same year. In
plymouth we find mention of one In 1861 ,
nd again in 1868. In 1850 it seems to
ave become au annual custom,
During the Revolution it was annually
by congress then there was I
thanksgiving for peace in 1874, and in I
7S9 President Washington recommended 4
day of thanksgiving for the adoption of !
be constitution. In 1895 there was one h
" the suppression of instruction, and in a
pril, 1915, the president appointed day
Thanksgiving for peace. In New Eng
md during all this time, however, annual 7
were issued by the governors a
the various states, officially recommend. 8
q the religious observance of the day, i,