The weekly intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1891-1901, 1896-07-11
FAST DAY IN NEW ENGLAND.
How the Custom Was Established by the
Pilgrim Fathers.

How the Custom Was Established by the
Pilgrim Fathers
The custom of appointing a special
day, known as Fast day, has been in
vogue in the New England states ever
since the landing of the Puritan set
tiers on the Massachusetts shores.
When the Pilgrim fathers ce ne over
from England they brought on
the old custom of appoint 4
days for fasting and prayer t-e
was any great object for whIc they
were struggling n day was set apart
that all might join in the prayer to the
Almighty for strength and wisdom.
The first observance in this country
was soon after the Pilgrims landed in
Salem. On the day set for the festival
all joined in praise to the Lord, at the
same time asking for plenty of rain and
abundant crops. These occasions were
generally appointed by the resident
lclergymen, but as the colonies eX-
panded and states were formed tn.
duty gradually fell on the governors OF
the different states. The custom has
been handed down from generation 20
generation a a matter of course. The
governor prepares an elaborate procla-
fLld dOHs ~ 10 BClACi any PAOlloliCd
in nearly all the newspapers in the
state, and n finely engrossed copy is
sem to all the clergymen through the
various city and town clerks, to be
ead from their pulpits the Sunday pre-
T:ous.
The observance has been almos:
wholly confined to the New England
states, and has now become almost
meaningless. In fact, Massachusetts
woke up to this fact several years ago
and abolished the practice. Henry
Ward Beeher, in Norwood" says:
1.-THE Pilgrims found it written: They
hat sow in tears shall reap in joy. He
that goeth forth and waiteth, bearing
precious seed, shall doubtless come
again with rejoicing, bringing his
sheaves with him. This beautiful!
poetry was translated into the policy
of the Pilgrims by establishing u fast
day in March Oh April and Il day of
Thanksgiving in November. Thus, the
whole people were to pass through the
two gates of the year, Tears and Smiles.
and observe them as holy days, all other
profane and unsteady festivities
Christmas, New Years and Saints days
sNIA4lOuI hulllOCls OtihB ihAN t'SAAN"
But very few churches now observe
the day. The ministers read the proc
Iamation, and that ends it. 1t is a gay
holiday, pure and simple. Not much
kssting is done and less praying. Base
ball has superseded alteration of the
Deity, and horseback riding gives vast
ly more pleasure to the average man
than x%erophagy.
The governor always says that Fast
day is a day of Humiliation, fasting
and prayer" but no one ever takes the
manifesto seriously, and, therefore
everybody takes care to enjoy himself
ms much as possible on this occasion.
1t is evident that the people believe
fhat n day spent in innocent and health
fuI amusement is fully as well I'm
ployed as if it had been passed in vain
effort at Humiliation" on an empty
stomach.-N.X .Times
Little in size, but great in results. De-
Wits Little Early Risers act gently but
thoroughly, curing indigestion, dyspepsia
and constipation. Small pill, safe pill,
best pill. Crist q GardHer. 1-25-1y