Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-11-25
PRESIDENT SETS EXAMPLE
BY ATTENDING SERVICES
Day of Christian Charity Generally
Observed by Citizens.
GOOD DINNERS IN MANY HOMES
Where and How the Cabinet Mem
bers and Others High in Official
Life Will Dine Today.
Thanksgiving day, 1909.

thanksgiving day, 1909.
There is halt in the activities of life
today throughout the American republic
The clanking, whirring machinery Of
Factory and mill is stilled for the noncc,
and instead of its noisy din is heard the
Ginning church bells calling the people to
Christian duty
through the stained glass windows OF
cathedral and chapel there comes the mu-
sic OF JoyouSness with the chorus of hone
The thanks of great nation are being
offered to the Supreme Ruler of the Uni
verse for the many blessings He has
vouchsafed to this republic and its citizens
in the past year.
The day is not one for sackcloth and
ashes, but rather for appreciatve happi-
ness 1t is an occasion of feastng and
prayer: a day of retrospect. Looking
backward over the twelvemonth there
appears many good reasons why the
American people should give their most
earnest thanks TO the Great Father. The
prosperity of the nation has continued and
its citizens have been singularly blessed.
God is good TO the Americans" a noted
foreigner said al the close of the war with
Spain. when the fact that this country
was reunited and welded together with
bands of steel became so vividly apparent
The saying Of the foreigner applies with
equal emphasis, because of its many
blessings. to the year about to close.
Day Of Christian Charity.
Thanksgiving 4 day is a period when
Christian charity should find fullest ex-
emplification. The poor that are always
with us should be substantially remem-
bered. In some degree at least the dwell
ers in the haunts of poverty have been
remembered by certain organizations and
individuals in this city Baskets filed
with food stuffs were sent yesterday To
many homes in which the cheerlessness
of penury was much in evidence The
homeless wayfarer was also provided
for by Christian organizations that fur
nished THANKSGIVING dinners and an op-
portunity for the desperate and hopeless
to forsake their ways of sin and enter
upon new era of regeneration.
President Taft today set the example
for all to follow. He attended divine
service this forenoon at ST. Patrick's
Church.
Thanksgiving day is distinctfvely an
American holiday. We share New Year
day with all the world Christmas be-
longs to all Christendom. Thanksgiving
day is devoted to the recognition of mans
dependence upon God. 1t is an occasion
for family reunions and for the perform
ance of deeds of charity
Origin of the Custom.
Speaking of the first Thanksgiving day.
2sS years ago, history says it came upon
bleak November day in the year of Our
Lord 1921. The sea was beating angrily
against the shore and chilling wind
was sweeping over the snow covered
earth. In the little colony of Plymouth
| the only outward signs of life were curls
| of smoke rising from the chimneys of the
rough log houses. All around was the
deep, dark green of the primitive forest
The outside gloom had no effect upon the
cheerfulness in the cabins of the pilgrim
settlers. 1t was Thanksgiving day. The
first the world had ever known.
In the home of Gov. Bradford was gath
cred number of the settlers. and upon a
platter was the biggest and finest turkey
that could be found. 1t was the pick of A
number of the toothsome wild birds that
had been shot by the Pilgrims.
In the midst of their festivities the ear
liest settlers said:
There is not one of us who cannot find
something, matter how small to be
thankful for.
And that sage conclusion finds applica-
ton today in our modern. strenuous times
In this twentieth century, as it was
away back in 1921, the good old colony
days, it may be said that a real. fervent
Thanksgiving prayer is about the best
thing about the day, after ALL
Cabinet Officers Dinners.
Secretary Knox spent Thanksgiving day
m cif hQi iaI
all day in the consideration of foreign
affairs of an urgent character that would
not permit delay because of the holiday
The principal question under considera-
| tioa related to the best course to be pur-
sued in the matter of the alleged out
RACES in Nicaragua.
Despite state affairs Secretary Knox
was able to spend several hours at his
| home. 1927 h street. and enjoy his tur-
| key ard fiXings in the company of Mrs.
| Knox and his father and mother, who
are with them at present.
Secretary Dickinson and Mrs. Dickin-
| son had with them today their son, ]. ..
Dickinson of Memphis, and his two chill
dren. Mrs. Dickinson has just returned
! from a visit to New York. 1t was their
| first THANKSGIVING day in their new home,
| 1910 Connecticut avenue.
Secretary Meyer spent the day in Wash
! ington, while Mrs. Meyer and their
daughtersw ere at their home, in Hamil-
ton. Mass. The Secretary was detained
| in this city because of the Nicaraguan
| affair. He had a few friends at dinner
at his residence on Scott circle.
Secretary Nagel of the Department of
Commerce and Labor attended service at
| st. Johns Episcopal Church in the MORN
| ing. He dined and spent the remainder
of the day with his family at home.
There are enough OF us left" said the
Secretary. Ito keep each other company
and be thankful for"
Postmaster General Hitchcock, one of
the many bachelors in official life I'm
Wa ashington carefully has concealed
where and with whom he would eat his
| THANKSGIVING day dinner. He has been
busfly engaged at his home for some time
, past in getting his annual report in shape.
Although the work is not yet completed,
Mr. Hitchcock will doubtleas find cause