The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-11-25

this day nowhere is it kept with so
much zest as in the New England
states, where it ranks as a great family
feast, taking the place which Is ac-
counted elsewhere to Christmas.
In July, 1923, n day of fasting and
prayer was appointed, on account of
the drouth. Rain came abundantly, 1t
| Is stated, while they were praying. and
the governor appointed a day of
thanksgiving, which was observed
with religious service. The Charles
town records show similar change
of fast day into day of thanksgiv-
ing in 1881, on account Of the arrival
of supplies from Ireland.
In June, 1852, Governor Winthrop,
| of Massachusetts Bay Colony. recon-
mended a day of thanksgiving on ac-
count of the action of the British privy
council favorable to the colonies, and
invited the governor of the Plymouth
colony to unite with. him. The records
show the official appointment of days
in Massachusetts Bay in 1C3334. 1887 -3S-
SO. sometimes for more than one day,
and in Plymouth Colony In 1861. 1868.
1880 16s9-90, and occasional days of
thanksgiving We're also appointed by
the Dutch governor of New Neither
lands New York; in 1644, etc, and by
English governors of New York in 1855
and 1860.
Congress recommended days of
THANKSGIVING annually during the Rev
Olution, and in 1881, for the return Of
peace. Washington appointed such a
day in 17S9 after the adoption of the
constitution, and in 1895 for general
benefits and the welfare Of the nation.
The Episcopal church formally rec
ognized the civil governments author
ity to appoint such feast, but it
was not until 1888 that the Roman
Catholic church also decided to honor
festival which had been so long and
so generally observed.
President Madison, by request of con-
gress, recommended day of thanks
giving for peace, in April, 1876 In
New York, the day was regularly
adopted in 1917. and in southern states,
later In 1855 Governor Johnson, of
Virginia. recommended a day, but in
1857 Governor Wise. being requested to
do 50, publicly declined. because he
was unauthorized to interfere in re-
ligious matters"
GENERAL OBSERVANCE.
In 1868 Thanksgiving Day proclama-
tions were issued by eight governors of
Southern states. Lincoln. in 1S62-63,
victory, and a national proclamation
of the annual Thanksgiving Day in
1864. since which time it has been
annually issued by ali presidents. gov
crnors OF states, and mayors of prin-
cipal cities.
1t is noticeable that. whereas Christ
mas and other church festivals We're
frowned upon and severely put down
by early Protestants. TO prevent what
they deemed to be "heathenish and
Popish observation of days, months
and years."-so that they might be
forgotten-CustOm is stronger than pre-
cept, and that when the Thanksgiv-
ing Day of the Pilgrim Fathers be-
came annual, 1t borrowed many of the
essential features of the English Christ
mas. 1t was q day of family reunion,
on which the Puritan partook of turkey
and pumpkin pies, instead of bears
head; amt plum pudding. The day
was long in becoming fixed, however,
and 1t is on record that one town
took the liberty of postponing the fes-
tival for one week. in order to get in
supply of molasses with which to
sweeten the pumpkin pies.
With latter Thanksgiving Days, the
general public is familiar. It is a day
essentially of rejoicing: the people be-
ing given to attendance upon divine
service during the morning hours. and
the offering up of thanks to the Su-
preme Being for all the mercies and
blessings which have been bestowed
upon them during the year. both as
individuals and as a nation: for the
reign of peace, and for plentiful har-
vests: and, Notwithstanding that some
may have been hardly dealt with. re-
turning thanks for those blessings
which they have enjoyed, and prayer