The Charles Mix new era. (Wagner, Charles Mix County, S.D.) 1???-1911, 1906-11-30

This festival Is OF Puritan origin,
though the custom of giving thanks for
fayors of the field and stall has prevailed
MS far back as written records 60: with
the Greeks and even the Egyptians In
their feasts to Demeter and Iris. with the
Romans in their Cerealia, and with the
Jews In their Feast of Tabernacles- Com
ing down to more modsrn times. we read
OF public thanksgivings In Germany, Hol-
land. and in England, the recollection OF
whose Harvest Home" perhaps. inspired
the Puritans to INACCURATE the custom.
Though pions and deyout, our New
England ancestors were yet rigid non-con-
formists, hence their rejection of Christ
mas rs relic of popery: yet the yesrn.
Ing Of the heart for a religious and family
festival had TO be satisfied. and SO they
instituted Thanksgiving Day. which they
appointed after the gathering In OF the
harvest, when. the main work OF the year
being accomplished. families sundered
hight assemble in the homes of their eld-
ers and give themselves up to short sea
son of solemnity and mirth.
The first Thanksgiving. according to the
weilcredited chronicler. Edward Winslow,
was held In 1921, ten months after the
landing of the Pilgrims. when. the crops
being garnered. they. felt spring up with
In their hearts feeling Of praise and
thanksgiving. Ii lasted almost a week.
and was participated in By King Massa-
soft and ninety of his braves, who were
Toasted and entertained for three days,
the newcomers showing their guests their
proficiency in arms. expertness in wresi-
ling. etc. But We may imagine that the
feelings of the Pale Faces were not wholly
mirthful as they disported before these
grim and stolid lied Men. To show their
prowess in turn. .the Indians went out
aud killed Eve deer. which they brought
10 the plantation and bestowed on the
Governor and upon Captain Miles Stand.
ish and Others" fne contribution TO the
feast.
But, although thus inaugurated. the
custom was not thoroughly established for
some time. Days of thanksgiving were
appointed in the different colonies by diff.
ferenl Governors for various occurrences
1.-The safe arrival of ships bringing loved
relatives, provisions. etc. for seasonabie
weather. rain after long droughts, and
safe deliverances from lerils and foes
These, of course, were at different periods.
but most of them occurred In October or
November, after the harvest.
On the day appointed, families being as-
sembled, they remembered first their duty
to thank the Oliver of every good and
perfect gift' publicly, for His bounty
during the year: and so repaired early to
His house TO observe public worship.
But when the family and guests all met
on Thanksgiving Day around the hos
pitable board, there was no lack, but A
superabundance, of yiands and tempting
pastries, game, turkeys and chickens,
wholesome vegetables and inviting fruits.
The good wives WED with each other In
their preparation Of toothsome deiicacies
indeed, some of them were famed through
out the colony for their culinary skin. To
be good housewife In those days, and to
look well after the welfare and comfort
Of her family was considered woman's vo-
cation.
Thanksgiving Day did not become q ma
tional observance until some time af.er
the nations separate life was assured.
There was a general Thanksgiving for
peace In 1854. but none OF a national
character until our FIRST President, BY re-
quest Of Congress, recommended one. In
11SS, to celebrate the adoption Of the Con
stitution. In 1875 there was a general
for the suppression OF insur-
rection in several States. and in 1916, one
for the termination Of our second war
with England
But these we're sporadic instances.
Governors of the different New England
States often issued proclama tons for the
observance of the day, until, between the
church and state, il grew there into an
annual festival. Twice during the Civil
War. President Lincoln issued proclama-
tons for general thanksgiving-in 1852
and 1868, because of abundant harveSts
Ind certain victories, though in the former
year the war cloud was still without a |
show Of silver lining.
Nov. 2, 1903, a national Thanksgiving
Tor peace was held. which was more gen
rally observed, and perhaps more heart |
ly. than any which had preceded il. Since |
hen the custom has become annuaI--she |
fresideHt followed by the Governors Of |
he different States, issuing proclsmat lions
lor the last Thursday in NoYember.-Il- |
ustrated Home Journal.