Bryan morning eagle. [volume] (Bryan, Tex.) 1898-1909, 1905-11-30

With the exception OF Christmas
and New Years celebrations. our
United States holidays commemorate
some historical event. the birth OF a
few Of our great American leaders. or
In more recent years they are set
aside FOR some public service In def
erence To the wishes Of some extern
siye organization, as Arbor day. Labor
day. etc We have no national hoii-
day, not even the Fourth OF July
Congress has az various times ap-
pointed special holidays. but there Is
no general law upon the subject
Thanksgiving. the first essentially
American feast day. IS a holiday IN
all the States. though In some II IS
not a statutory holiday. The first
general Thanksgiving OF which we
have any record was that kept by the
Pilgrim settlers Of Massachusetts, Bay
colony. 10 the year 1921. The long.
severe New England winters. with
SHOWS from Eve 10 seven months. the
short. hot summers. the sterile. sandy
s0il-which even to-day IS productive
In places only through high Cultiva.
ticn-left these brave forefathers OF
ours In almost starving condition So
low had become their supplies for
subsistence that az last a day OF fast.
ing and prayer was appointed. when
all we're 10 unite In supplication for
divine succor Happily abundant
food and other necessities arrived be-
fore the appointed fast day. so their
fasting was changed 20 feastinr. and
prayer and suPplicl ion TO praise and
thanksgiving This Thanksgiving
service was often repeated through
the remaining years Of that century
Congress recommended days OF
thanksgiving annually during the
Revolutionary War. and in 1854 for
the return OF peace.
The following is a copy Of the first
prayer in Congress:
20 lord. our Heavenly Father. high
and mighty King OF Kings and Lord
Of Lords. who dost from Thy throne
behold all the jewellers on earth. and
relgnest with power supreme and I'M
controlled over all the kingdoms, EN-.
pires and governments. look down in
mercy. we beseech Thee. on these
American States, who have fed 10
Thee from the rod OF the oppressor
and thrown themselves on Thy gra-
clous protection. desiring 10 be hence
forth dependent only on Thee: 20
Thee they have appealed for right
eousness Of their cause: 20 Thee do
they now look up for that oountenance
and support which Thou alone cansi
give: take them. therefore, Heavenly
rather. under Thy nurturing care:
give them wisdom In council and
yalor in the field: defeat the malicious
designs OF our cruel adversaries: con
vince them OF the unrlghteoushsss OF
their cause; and II they still persist
In their sanguinary purposes. Oh let
the voice OF Thine own uuerring Jus.
tlce. sounding in their hearts. con-
strain them 10 drop the weapons Of
war from their unnerved hands In
the day OF battle BE Thou present.
o God Of Wisdom. and direct the
councils OF this honorable assembly:
enable them 10 settle things on the
best and surest foundation. that the
scene OF blood may be speedily closed.
that order. harmony and peace may
be enectually restored. and truth and
Justice. religion and piety. prevail and
flourish amongst Thy people Pre-
serve the health OF their bodies and
the vigor OF their minds; shower down
on them and the Millions they here
represent such temporal blessings as
Thou seest expedient for them IN this
world. and crown them With eyerlast-