Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1898-11-22

that the 1Odles6ne6S OF many OF tne oele'
gates had as much to do with its silence as
aid the general demand for religious tolera,
ton. There were those who felt that there
should be a recognition at least of the su-
per-ruling Deity who presides over the des-
issues Of battles and the duration Of en-
pires. But the fathers who builded SO wise
II IA other directions chose to be positively
GSnt, and as nation the United States
started out goddess and distinctly material
isAo. Washington, himself religious man,
WAS 10 held In the thrall Of the skepticism
81 the times that he burst not proclaim 9
day Of general thanksgiving to God, until
he was 10 directed by the congres,I and he
wsited tor the same authority before he
Issued his second and last proclamation.
Many years elapsed before another president
ks4 The courage to issue another, the war
81 isl4.isiA having ensued and ended before
Shia was done. Nor was 1t until after the
Hvll war was fairly on that Thanksgiving
DIV became general In It's observance, Lin
scIp being the first to place It whore " y
noW held fast, namely, the fourth Thursday
ia November.
Evep as 1t now stands, fixed holy day,
IL b 70 no sense binding as to its obssrv-
Anes. II Is maxim of law, that there can
b no statute that y binding except II have
3 punitory clause, and the presidents PROG
mont against people who refuse to observe
II psov1sions. Common consent Of the Poo.
Dts sivss 1t recognition TO the extent that
places Of business are closedj but the In
aividual man does as he plsases In that day.
NAs various churches hold ? service, but,
- = rule, there Ia painful emptiness q
AsnahSa, and 80 many sanctuaries have sui
tsrsd trcm abssntesism that II Il the prao-
Mo- ID most places to hold union services
many congregations, % 81 70 assure Q
a5mewhas decent attendance. Usually 81
Nhess services, even, there y q marked sb-
pcS Of men, women supplying the wos-
Atpsrs n far the greater part.
No effort Is made to ACCUSE the people Of
As14ay Of q lack Of religious sentiment. But
" D / tsqt that the people have seen at to
naks p{ the day one Of home-bring1ng and
apms love and umptuous home feast. Il
- day q roast turkeys, crsnberries, plum
addin3, rninoe, pies and other dainty and
e. .s I'D q * o s:t r Rs's ss ss A2 s
he Puritans established 1t as day d
wershw and praise Of God for His abound
Ss msslss. To this day In parts Of New
England one may Apd suggestions Of the
EpFmsrday spirit, but throughout II.
pthsr portions Of the country what Of reli
1ouA 1phit pertains to the day Is to ID
kYpnd II the silent, unspoken worship that
athgs 70 hearts that are warmed In the
lought Of happy home and Of the loved
Hhat ere gathered under the home roof. Fa,
b. II from the individual to pass sentence o.
Sopdemnation upon suob as hold the day
Rp thiI manner; yet the fact pupctuates the
Rest9msnt that the great republic Of Amer
eA y yet very far from being 9 Godful ma
Hon Il suoh. As day d home life and HON,
epva, there Is that that Is very pretty In th,
hay q Thanksgiving; but there are man.
EMto fssl that the lesson Of the day SHOULD
pe4nt to more direct and positive individ
6ei recognition Of the God who alone ha
the power to cast down and to raise up
and from whom comes all the good that me,
have apd enjoy. Richest Of al the nations
mort blessed Of God, 1t yet declines to rec
oSplse His omnIpotent hand in the fruitag
gt the Acids and the yield Of the mines AM
IN the product Of the mills.
WILLIAM HoSsER coBBE.