The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1893-11-29
cerned In It,

4gFllS5ft ejYsg, from the intoler-
1x7f1iisu,..nS>EsH ance and persecu-
ton of a state
church, landing in this country-as ev-
cry intelligent schoolboy can tell-on
Monday, Dec. 81, 1920. Tho first cele-
bration of the kind in modern times was
in October, 1915, at Leyden, where there
was Thanksgiving celebration of the
first anniversary of the city's delivcrance
from siege. Forty-six years later, in the
fall of 1921, Governor Bradford, after
the first harvest of the Plymouth colony
in New England, proclaimed day of
thanksgiving and sent cut four men in
search of game to enable them to observe
it better.
These Puritan fathers, whose suffer
ings had impaired to their devotion a
certain degree of sternness, were very
thankful for bountiful harvest after
period of sore distress and looked upon
the first fruits of their toll in their new
home as a symbol of blessings to come.
The four sportsmen came back stagger-
ing under burden of turkeys and other
wild fowl enough toprovision the colony
for week. Tho commencement of the
festival was announced by the roar of
one of the great guns on the hilltop, and
the day was Thursday, Oct. "a, rather
less than one year after their arrival in
Cape Cod bay.
There was solemn procession first to
the meeting house. the men marching
three abreast, with the sergeant in com
mand and Governor Bradford following
behind, while Elder Brewster, in his
preachers cloak, walked alongside bear
ing the Bible and looking as grave as
the occasion demanded. Miles Standish,
the warlike military chief, was there,
and clad in the dress of the times would
cut strange figure if present among us
now. No doubt that Thanksgiving din
ner was enjoyed kcenly and was the big
gest thing in the way of family party
that has occurred since. Most of the
game was cooked in the open air, and
the thrifty Puritan housewives concoct-
ed dishes that were tempting and ingen-
ious. The dinner was followed by the
singing of psalms and of favorite songs
that they had often sung around English
fresides.
In the midst of their rejoicings an In
dian shout was heard, causing a momen-
tary panic, and every man grasped Lis
weapon, but twas only a hundred friend
ly savages, led by Chief Massasoit, who
had come to thank the white man for
assistance rendered and to share in the
festivities. They brought contribution
to the test in the way of venison, and
while it was being prepared gave an ex-
hibition of their war dances, causing de-
mure Puritan maidens to scream and
their lovers to look gallant and fearless
as they reassured them. Captain Stand
ish in turn gave the Indians start by
putting sAis troops through a military
drill, the savages being alarmed by the
rafting of the musketry and the roar of
the ordnance. The feast continued three
days amid prayers, psalm singing, In
dian dances and warwhoops and roaring
artillery after which the Indians We're
escorted short distance from the set
tlement by Captain Standish and his
troops, who gave them parting salute.
Days of thanksgiving were officially
appointed in the Massachusetts Bay col
ony for several years prior to 1889. The
New Netherlands Dutch rulers also set
apart regular days of thanksgiving be-
tween the years 1914 and 1865, and 100
years later on the English governors of
New York followed their example
The proclamation of the New Neither
lands council, sitting at Fort Amster-
dam in 1915, was as follows:
Whereas, It has pleased Almighty God in his
upbounded clemency and mercy. in addition
to many previous blessings, to suffer us to
reach the long looked for peace with the In
dians,
Therefore Is it deemed necessary to proclaim
the fast 10 all those of New England to the end
that in all places in tho aforesaid country
where Dutch and English churches are estab-.
ished God Almighty may be specially thanked,
Praise.l urd blessed on next "Wednesday fore
noon. being the 9Th of September, the text to
be appropriate and thesermon to be applicable
thereto.
Your reverence will please announce this
matter to the congregation next Sunday so
that they may have notice.
On which we rely.
Throughout the Revolution the annual
observance of Thanksgiving day was duly
recognized by congress. After peace,
however. it was Thought to be no longer
necessary till 1859, when the adoption of
the constitution was made national
thanksgiving by the appointment of
President Washington. Like rejoicings
took place IN celebration of the suppress
sion Of instruction in 1705 and the
4 L - -.