The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1889-11-28
THANKSGIVING.

1
very natural for me to think Of the day
as | was born in New England, but
aid not think 1t of much account. 1t
was only a Yankee notion or whim,
originating with Yankees, and observed
Oy them every autumn as a feast of
pumpkin pie, without being of much
benefit to them or anybody else. In
mediately after, wrote an article upon
Thanksgiving which was published in a
ocal paper over my signature of Migno.
nette, that being my nom de plume while
| was in the South. A few DAYS since, |
Iound, in an old portfolio which hap
pened to escape the confagration that a
few years ago destroyed my library,
manuscript and nearly all my effects, a
copy of the article then written, and as
It is appropriate to the season, give it
your readears if you are inclined to
publish it. R.
Among the venerable and time-hon.
Ored customs in New England, that of
setting apart one day in the year, for
;Ommemoration of the Divine favor,
Iolds conspicuous rank. 1t was dur
ing period of distressing famine, that
he Puritan Fathers sought the mercy of
heaven, by appointing day for public
ceding the appointed day, a vessel laden
with provisions arrived from the Mother
country, and the day appointed for fast
ng and prayer, was changed to one of
thanksgiving and praise, in view of
blessing so signal and unexpected. The
lay has since been observed, not only in
commemoration OF that event, but in
gratitude for all the mercies of heav-
IN; and it is pleasing to see, that New
England n0IC, Is not alone in the observ-
4nce of the day. Many States are fol-
lowing her example. Is it not a wise
and beautiful custom, thus so acknowl-
edge the henificence of the Almighty?
AT that season of the year, when the
toll of summer is over and the rIpened
fruits of the earth are gathered into the
garner of the husbandman, is it not meet
and profitable, for man to raise his voice
IN praise and thanksgiving to Hin, who
has blessed him in "basket and store"
and who has graciously promised,
"While the earth remaineth, seed time
and harvest, cold and heat, summer and
winter. and day and night shall not
cease"
The earth is filled with displays of
Divine wisdom and goodness. They are
perceptible IN the delicate flower, that,
with blushing petal and perfumed
breath, mods in the passing breeze; in
{ he velvet leaf, whose vascular system
and cellular integument are so wonder
fully fitted, and admirably contrived to
sustain its varied functions; in the tall
tree Of the forest, that in the majesty of
It's strength, towers in the sunshine aud
defies the threatening blasts of winter;
IN the tender shrub, that drinks the dew
and bends beneath the summer shower;
in the simple mote, that floats in the
,unbeam; in the lofty mountain, whose
cloud-capped summit seems peering into
the glories Of another world; in the lit
tie rivulet, that gurgles through the
waving grass; in the boundless ocean,
whose deafening roar seems ecboing the
sublime music of the AlmIghty's voice;
in he insect, that flutters in the evening
breeze; in the cattle, that feed upon a
thousand hills, and, in man, who walks
the earth, in pride and strength, the lord
and master of them all How wonder
fully and fearfully made,is man How
sublime his conceptions How lofty his
thoughts Gifted with an angels pow
ers, yet possessing a mortaPs passions
and desires Endowed with a capacity
to receive pleasure and enjoyment from
everything which God has made, yet
wretched and undone; permitting the
dust, which he, himself, has raised to
blind his vision, and shut out the glory
which God would reveal. Shall the low,
grovelling passions and desires of mans
mortal being, gain the ascendency over
the sublime aspirations and hopes of his
spiritual nature, and thereby sink him
to endless death Shall the love and
goodness of Him, who has said, "My
grace is sufficient for thee. " be swallowed
up in sensual pleasures; and the voice
and heart never ascend in grateful
thanksgiving Forbid it ! o Thou, who
madest man IN the likeness of Thine own
image, fosbid it ! and quicken his heart,
by the influences of Thy Holy Spirit, to
lively sense of Thy loving kindness,
and he shall glorify Thy name, with
praise and thanksgiving.
Again, let us consider the goodness
of God to man, in the works which He
has made. In that bright season, when
the varIegated flowers and fruits of the
earth, attract and pain the eye, and the
bright effulgence of the suns unclouded
rays would 1azzle and dim it forever, the
landscape is relieved, by mantle of liv-
ing green, on which, the irritated organ
of vision may rest. The water which
quenches his thirst, and cools the fever
of his blood, when heated by passion or
disease, produces, by its application. a
soothing and delightful sensation. The
food, 80 necessary to support his physi-
cal frame, and sustain within him, the
mystery of life, instead of being loath-
1n1a
joyment. The air, which he inhales to
lnvigOrate his system, brings delightful
GOODNESS to his fevered brow and is often
laden with fragrance to please AMI re-
gale his senses Can'st thou, o man |!
enjoy thse blessings, and not be CRATE
full to the Giyer? Let thy gratitude as
cend, as daily incense, to Him who hath
stayed the pestilence that walked at
MONDAY, and preserved the blessings of
peace and prosperity to our National do
minion. ''Let everything that hath
breath, praise the Lord" The flower
pays its worship.in waiting balmy odors
on the gales of Spring, the stars, as they
twinkle in the armament, reveal the
glory of God and declare, "The hand,
that made us, is Divine;" the little birds
offer praises at the gates Of heaven, in
yOuS carrollings, and shall man be
mute Shall man, the last and best of
all the creatures. which the omnipotent
finger of God has formed, man, endowed
with reason and possessed of intelli-
gence, refuse to set apart one day in the
year, for the especial purpose of COM
memorating the Divine favor and good
ness refuse t. render praise and adora-
ton, prayer and thanksgiving TO Him,
who has made him, but a little lower
than the angels, and crowned him with
glory and honor, and set him over all
the works of his hands
Shall the blessings of health, freedom
and friends, be daily felt and enjoyed,
without any outward or public express
sion OF thanks to the Giverg The good
and the wise.t the obedient and the faith
ful, need, sometimes, to be reminded of
their duty, and the thoughtless must be
told Of it, always. Is it not wise, then,
to set apart, one day in the year. for the
especial purpose of drawing the atten-
tion Of all, to the mercy and goodnes Of
God, and the many obligations, that rest
upon man to glorify His name. with
praise and thanksgiving 20 give
thanks unto the Lord Enter We His
courts with praise"
''Praise God from whom all blessings iow,
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
! Praise Him above, ye heavenly host.
| Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost"
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