The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1898-11-24


that the godlessness Of many Of the dele
gates had as much to do with it's silence as
did the general demand for religious tolera-
ton. There were those who felt that there
should be recognition at least of the SUI
per-ruling Deity who presides over the des-
TIMES of nations and who determines the
issues of battles and the duration of en-
pires. But the fathers who builded SO wise
ly in other directions chose to be positively
silent, and as a nation the United States
started out goddess and distinctly material
istic. Washington, himself religious man,
was 50 held in the thrall of the skepticism
of the times that he burst not proclaim
day of general thanksgiving to God, until
he was so directed by the congress-; and he
waited for the same authority before he
issued his second and last proclamation.
Many years elapsed before another president
had the courage to issue another, thewar
of lSl2-iSli having ensued and ended before
this was done. Nor was it until after the
civil war was fairly on that Thanksgiving
day became general in its observance, Nm
colng being the first to place it where it is
now held fast, namely, the fourth Thursday
in November.
Even as it now stands, a fixed holy day,
it is in no sense binding as to its observ-
ance. 1t is maxim of law, that there can
be no statute that is binding except it have
punitory clause, and the presidents proc
lalnation contains no sentence of punish.
ment against people who refuse to observe
its provisions. Common consent of the peo-
pie gives it recognition to the extent that
places of business are closed; but the in
dividual man does as he peases in that day.
The various churches hold service; but,
as a rule, there is painful emptiness of
benches, and SO many sanctuaries have suf-
fered from absenteeism that it is the prac-
tice iii most places to hold union services
of many congregations, SO as to assure a
somewhat decent attendance. Usually at
these services, even, there is marked alb
sence of men, women supplying the wor-
shippers in far the greater part.
No effort is made to accuse the people OF
to-day of "a lack of religious sentiment. But
it is fact that the people have seen fit to
make of the day one of home bringing and
home love and a sumptuous home feast. 1t
is day of roast turkeys, cranberries, plum
buildings, mince pies and other dainty and
I indigestible foods, and day when the alb
sent ones seek to get back under the home
roof to spend the hours with those they
love.
The Puritans established it as day Of
worship and praise of God for His abound
ing mercies. To this day in parts of New
England one may find suggestions of the
former-day spirit; but throughout the
other portions of the country what of reli
gious spirit pertains to the day is to BIZ
found in the silent, unspoken worship that
clings to hearts that are warmed in the
thought of happy home and of the loved
that are gathered under the home roof, Fan
be it from the individual to pass sentence o.
condemnation upon such as hold the day
in this manner; yet the fact punctuates the
statement that the great republic of Amer
lea is yet very far from being Godful ma
ton as such. As a day of home life and home
love, there is that that is very pretty in tn
day of Thanksgiving; but there are man!
who feel that the lesson of the day SHOULD
point to a more direct and positive individ
ual recognition of the God who alone ha
the power to cast down and to raise up
and from whom comes all the good that mel
have and enjoy Richest Of all the nations
most blessed of God, it yet declines to rec
ognize His omnipotent hand in the fruitag
Of the fields and the yield of the mines ant
in the product of the mills.
WILLIAM ROSSER COBBE.