Alaska sentinel., 1907-12-26

1 This festival is of Puritan origin,
 though the custom of giving thanks for favors of the field and stall has prevailed as far back as written records go; with
 the Greeks and even the Egyptians in their feasts to Demeter and Iris. with the I Romans in their Cerealia, and with the
 Jews in their Feast of Tabernacles. Com ] ing down to more modern times. we read
 of public thanksgivings in Germany, Hol-
 land, and in England, the recollection of
 whose Harvest Home," perhaps, inspired
 the Puritans to inaugurate the custom. l Though pious and deyout, our New l England ancestors were yet rigid non-con- 1 formists, hence their rejection of Christ
 mas as a relic of popery; yet the yearn- l ing of the heart for a religious and family 1 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 might assemble in the homes of their eld- CTS and give themselves up to a short sea son of solennity and mirth.
 The first Thanksgiving. according to the well-credited 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 l in their hearts a feeling of praise and thanksgiving. IL lasted almost week, and was participated in by King Massa- | soft and ninety of his braves, who were feasted and entertained for three days, the newcomers showing their guests their proficiency in arms, expertness in wrest- 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 Red Men. To show their prowess in turn. the Indians went out and killed five deer, which they brought to the plantation and bestowed on the Governor and upon Captain Miles Stand ish and others" a fine contribution to the feast.
 But, although thus inaugura ted, the custom was not thoroughly established for some time. Days of thanksgiving were appointed in the different colonies by diff ferent Governors for various occurrences -thr safe arrival Uf ships bringing lowed relatives, provisions, etc; for seasonabe weather. rain after long droughts, and safe deliyerances from perils and foes. These, of course, were a 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 "Giver of every good and perfect gift publicly, for Hi. bounty during the year; and so repaired early to His house to observe public worship.
 But when the family and guests all met .L pitable board, there was no lack, but a superabundance, of viands and tempting pastries, game, turkeys and chickens, wholesome vegetables and inviting fruits The good wives vied with each other in their preparation of toothsome delicacies i; indeed, some of them were famed through out the colony for their culinary skill. To be a good housewife in those days, and to look well after the welfare and comfort of her family was considered woman's yo- cation.
 Thanksgiving Day did not become na- tional observance until some time after the nations separate life was assured. There was a general thanksgiving for peace in l1S4, but none of a national character until our first President, by re- quest of Congress. recommended one, in 17SS to celebrate the adoption of the Con- stitution. In 1195 there was 6 general thanksgiving for the suppression of insur rection in several States, and in 1915, one for the termination of our second war with England.
 But these were sporadic instances Governors of the different New England States often issued proclamations for the observance of the day, until, between the church and state, it grew there into an annual festival. Twice during the Civil War, President Lincoln issued proclama- tions for general thanksgiving-in 1862 and 1863, because of abundant haryests and certain victories. though in the former year the war cloud was still without show of silver lining.
 Nov. 2, 1865, national thanksgiving for peace was held, which was more gen orally observed, and perhaps more heart. fly, than any which had preceded it. Since then the custom has become annual-the President, followed by the Governors of the different States, issuing proclamations for the last Thursday in Noyember-I- lustrated Home Journal.