Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-11-29
THURSDAY. NOVEMBER 20. 1894
ThanksRiving-Day.

There n one thing In the recentiy-u's-
covered history of the American Thanks
ely,ng.Day which particularly cheers U.s.
This is, that the Plymouth Puritans' 10
whom we owe the holiday, as at present
recognized, were wont to go TO ehurch ~
tho morning eat big turkey dinner III
the afternoon and--those OF them VINO
were young-go to dances In the evening"
We are also told that some OF THESE
forefathers and mothers dun ~
home"-from the dance-"until morning.
So these pious progenitors, frigid IN
temperament. as they are supposed 10
have been, did not spend all the honrs
of Thanksglving-Day in psa'm singing
and I'm listening to sermons. They Went
IN the meeting to be sure, but AFTER that
was over they devoted themselves 10
feasting and other pleasure.
II would seem from this that these furi-
fans were not quite so Puritanical as is
popularity supposed. We are able 10 eN-
tract some fiattery for ourselves from the
information as to their method OF opserV-
ing the day. They were no better than
we are. They were almost kin to us.
Here. in our times and in our town, people
generally attend upon public worship IN
the morning and give sincere thanks 10
the Lord for his mercy. In the afternoon
the football game is the thing. III the
skies be fair and the temperature pleas
ant thousands, from the Governor down,
present themselves TO witness the game.
So. II would seem that our manner OF
observing Thanksgiving-Da is equally
as good as that practiced in the infant
days of the institution.
The world is full o. strife and care and
discomfort There are thousands OF people
who testify ask. "What have to be
thankful for?" 1t would be well II all
of these would go to their churches to-
day and learn. Every sermon and every
prayer will answer their question. Even
those persons who are bounded by Ill
luck and pursued by poverty; even those
who are smftten by disease or saddened by
the distress of dear ones, may learn that
there is still much to bless God for.
The truth is that the average man ex-
aggerates his misfortunes and depreciates
his blessings. The reverse rule would be
better, since we can't stick to facts.
Let us give thanks for the land in which
we dwell, for freedom from wars and
pestilence. for religious and political lib
erty-for greater blessings than any other
people have-and for promise Of even hap
pier days. And 1t will be found that the
thankful heart Is the heart open to pity.
There Is a wide field here, and In every
city, for alms-gving There are amongst
US families that, apparently. have nothing
to be thankful for except that they are
aive-which is a great deal Give them
occasion to be very thankful that they
have seen this day.
Let us also be grateful for Thanks
giving-Day. 1t is a resting place on lifes
journey; an inn where We may refresh
ourselves.
We expect our Richmond people to con-
tinue to merit the distinction they enjoy
as a great church-going community. We
expect them to excel all other cities In
percentage of population in attendance
upon the football game. We expect &c
see q struggle without smuggling" a Sc
we're contest without ill-feeling. and or
every hand an exhibition Of courtesy and
consideration for the visiting teams, fol
the Carolinians and Virgihians alike. B'
good to the strangers within your gates
And we expect the reception at the Con
monwealth Club tonight to be grand
finale Of glorious day.