The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-11-25

Two RuHuTeG ana SeFenty-Six years ago
the first Thanksgiving day was celebrated.
when In accordance with the instructions
OF the Pilgrim father. William Bradford.
governor Of the original New England
colonies. the day set apart as one of fast
ing and prayer was turned into one of
feasting and rejoicing. Since that day,
when the bravest scouts and the hardest
frontiersmen, assisted by the friendly red
men of Massasoit's tribe, We're sent cut TO
bring in the wild turkeys and the game for
the feast there has been AZ least one day
in the calendar of each year when the
screaming bird of freedom has stepped
down from the escutcheon of America and
the turkey has proudly occupied the ex-
allied place, first In the hearts and stom-
achs of the loyal descendants of the Pill
grim fathers and their collateral relatives.
In 1921, when Gov. Bradford called upon
the colonists to fast and pray for rain to
help the parched and stunted crops. rain
came and saved the meager sustenance
that the earth had grudgingly yielded, and
the Pilgrims thought that Providence had
answered their prayers. Then the great
feast was proclaimed and white and red
men alike united to supply q bountiful
table. Games were played and friendly
feats of strength were INDUCED In The
white men planned and the copper-colored
guests participated. all TO the glory of the
Almighty. who had sent the rain The
festivities ended with prayers and the
singing of hymns.
Things have changed since the town
crier proclaimed the day TWO hundred and
seventy-six years ago This year the most
bountifui crops have been the portion Of
the people of the state of Washington. The
stork of good fortune alighted on the roof
tree of the house of the Evergreen state
and the whole commonwealth rejoiced over
the prosperity that had come Gov. Rog-
ers sat III his office at Olympia and APP
pointed today as one when business cares
should be set aside and when all should
unite i'm rejoicing and thanksgiving 1t
was not disagreeable duty to perform and
the prenunciamento went forth to find the
people of the state receptive for its re-
quests. 1t is the day when the gobble-
sobble. of the turkey browns the chal-
ienges of the great American eagle and
while patriotism Is not forgotten ii finds
its best expression in the exchange of SEN
timent that applies to this American day
in particular.
The chronicles tell lis that in 1921 the
white men and the Indians PLAYED games
and participated in friendly rivalry. and
much is made of the fact. They ran races
and jumped and did other simple things In
commemoration OF the rain that came and
saved the crops. This year the crops were
good. and after they were all harvested
and the barns and buildings were bursting
with plenty. the rain came and stayed for
a full week and raised the record for the
month, as was right and proper in a year
OF plenty. The white men will play games
all over the country today. to commemor-
ate not the rain Of the past week but that
other rain Of e7s years ago 1t will not
be simple game like running and Jump
ing alone, but eleven men on a side will
run and Jump on one another and much
md xx-fn he ftNr a 4
side lines viii cheer nightly. The red
men who may witness the games. and in
some parts of the country participate In
them are sim friendly. except on the
football gridiron--there all friendship
ceases If old Gov. Bradford knew that
the games he sanctioned in 1921 would have
wrought much excitement in 1897 he
would turn In his grave and wish that he
had cut the sports out of his programme.
Besides eating and playing football there
are other ohservances attached to Thanks
giving day of a serious character. and peo-
pie who carry With them the true senti-
ments OF the governmental injunction will
gather together and send up as heartfelt
prayers NJ Thanksgiving as those that were
prompted In the colonial days for the rain
that came TO save the crops.
In Seattle today union Thanksgiving
services viii be held at the Plymouth Con-
gregational church, at which the following
churches will participate: First Presby-
terrain. First Methodist Episcopal. FRS
Baptist. First Methodist Protestant First
Christian and First United PRESBYTERIAN
Rev. \. l., Hutchinson, D. D.. will preach
the sermon; the services Will commence
IL o. clock
The Episcopal churches Of the city. en-
hracing ST. Marks. Trinity St Paul
and ST. Clements will hold union Thanks
giving services al st. Marks Broadway
vi gr$ye -
Rev. II. II. Gowen will deliver the SER
mon.
Thanksgiving union services will he held
at the Cumberland Presbyterian church
East Cherry street and Twenty-seeond
avenue, in which that congregation and
those Of the Market Street Baptist church
and the Calvary Presbyterian Will take
part. The preaching will he by the Rev.
Mr.. Baldwin. pastor OF the Market Street
Baptist church
The Holy Trinity English, Lutheran
church, Seventh and Union. viii hold
Thanksgiving services at 1879 O'Clock
with preaching by the pastor. Rev. James
+. BeateS.
An evening Thanksgiving service will be
held ar the Madison Street NJ e chur n
tonight ~ 80 O'clock. There viii
be song service and a sermon by the
pastor, Rev. 4. s. Gregg. The topic Of
thu sermon is 'Ferils and Safeguards Of
the Home. Next Sunday morning Mr..
Gregg will preach especially 20 children.
| Sunday evening the subject Will be '.fndi-
| cations Of the Success of the Anti~SaIoon
| Crusade
/ The usual custom OF the school children
| OF the city In bringing food 20 their class
/ gatherings for distribution among the
/ needy was carried our yesterday. and as
| feature Of the occasion ii Is always one
/ Of the pgettiest. entirely In harmony with
| the day.
TIE national holiday will be observed
/ by the postoEiice employees. and there will
! Zee bat one delivery az matt The Office
will be open from 70 10 a. m only.
] luian Than l. III