New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-11-02

fears were changed to admiration OF the good
ness Of God toward the Englishmen. Knowing"
as Winslow observes the difference between
their conjurations and our Invocation the
name Of God for rain. theirs being mixed with
such storms and tempests. sometimes, instead
Of doing them good it laycth the corn fiat on the
ground to their prejudice. but ours in so gentle
and seasonabe manner, as they never observed
the like"
To modern minds there is something almost
touching In the simplicity of that faith In the
divine answer to their applications: In the GER
tainty with which they saw their moral status
before God written out In events. In which dire
happenings came ~ punishments all blessings
rs approvals Those early years were years OF al
most ceaseless trials and privations, and many
and continually increasing in number were the
occasions for seeking the pleasing face Of God"
and upon which their dropping affections were
ouckened or revived" by special days set strictly
apart for sup2lication or thanksgiving They
were for innumerabe and diverse causes: for de-
IIverances from drouth; for their Consultation
about the Lawos": the arrival Of ships from Eng
land: on account Of a squabble between the Bos-
ton church and the Roxbury church to secure
the services Of the same Minister the miserable
estate Of the Churches In Germany; the calami-
ties upon our native country; the dangers of
those at Connecticut am If ourselves, also by
:he Indians and the dssensions in our churches:
the 'apparent decay of the power OF religion and
the general declining OF professors 10 the world;
for the good success % the Parliament (of 164D
in England: for good Tydeings fro Old Eng
land; "for our native country and Ireland;
against the faction 'yt seeke to undr mine we
liberties OF Gods people; for the new patent Of
the Massachusetts, Bay Colony; for answer to
prayers upon our late addresse or petition made
unto We King. his gracouse acceptance and IA
vourable answer: in Connecticut by the Wind
sor church. against the efforts made in Massa-
chusetts 10 prevent the settlement Of Connecticut,
and for Gods great mercies in subdung the
Pecoits" The dreadful days Of King Philips
War were fruitful OF such seasons. and the later
history Of the colonies is filled with them In UNI
diminished number
The question as TO when the Thanksgiving and
the fast days became annual appointments by
the civil authorities is an interesting one. for 1t
involves a deviation from the original Puritan
observance OF special avs for special occasions
Mr. Loves researches show that in this sense
Thanksgiving Day IS a Connecticut institution
its regular observance having begun there about
1919 and having been from that time forth or
dered yearly The National thanksgiving day
various forces which, proving less decisive in the
case of the fast day have left the latter behind
The co-operation Of the New-En gland churches
the mutual irterdependence Of the New-England
colonies, caused them to recognize each others
emergencies and deverances. Later the Com
missioners Of the united colonies was natural
commended 10 the several councils the observance
OF days in which they were Jointly interested
Still later when they were united in the Cont
mental Congress with the other colonies TO the
SOUTH which had also known such observances
their common sentiment led TO the continuation
Of the custom. Then came the stream Of emigra-
ton to the western frontier carrying the love OF
the autumnal festival to all parts of the land
Mr. Love has done a real service in showing in
detailed and picturesque fashion how deep and
widely spread are the roots Of this National fes-
tival In the National life; how closely inter-
twlned in the affections and dearest traditions Of
the whole people