The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1911-11-30

Fol nearly three centuries AAahNs7
giving has been an American lnstl-
tuition. Long before h Pilgrims
saw the rocky shores Of New England
it had been a custom for English
monarchs to set aside certain days Tor
Thanksgiving and prayer TO OFnni-
potence for the absence OF great cal
antilles or the passing of those which
had occurred. The spirit Of Thanks
giving was, therefore, implanted IN
the religious teachings Of the Puri-
tans before they sought religious free'
dom in other lands.
When the first bountiful harvests
Of the Puritans had guaranteed them
against death by starvation which had
heen such a tragedy during their first
winter in the new world, 1t was but
natural that they should pay homage
to the God whose worship was a part
Of their lives, by setting aside a day
for giving thanks. 1t Is not probable
that any frivolity entered into the
stern and strenuous religious atmos-
phere for the occasion. The Puritans
could blend q feast with their most
serious religious ceremonies and en-
10y both. That Is what they did on
that first American Thanksgiving.
The woods we're full of turkeys.
The fields we're covered with pump
hns. The jellies and jams from the
wild grapes and other fruits and ber-
ries Of the forest were in the pantries.
With these those thrifty housewives
could . a feast fit for a king.
The Puritans could express their
religious gratitude by eating from the
80 ace 49, A~t~a~I
nature submerging sentiment In glut-
ony. Therein they differed from those
who today are perpetuatins the GUS
tom they established.
Whether or not the almost unthink.
able growth Of the country from what
it was in 1921 to what 1t is in 1911
has taken from Thanksgiving spirit
its devoutness and substituted there
fore a frivolity, Is a matter of con-
lecture. There ARE thousands Of
tables in the nation today beside
which as fervent and sacred grace
will be pronounced: al was said at any
New England table in 1921. There
are others at which the spirit Of
feasting will be idealized only in
gluttony. But we are a different peo-
pie than those who heard Governor
Bradley's. first Thanksgiving procla.
nation proclaimed in h churches.
AS a nation we have as much to
be thankful for as did those who OBJ
served the first day in New England.
President Taft in his Thanksgiving
proclamation summarizes the reasons
thus:
Our country has been signally
fov,o~aJ Sn r,o,,e TL@ -o,1A
Of the season has brought rich
harvests. Industries have thriv-
en- far beyond our domestic needs,
the productions of our labor are
daily finding enlarged markets
abroad. We have heen free from
the curses Of pestilence, Of fam
Inc and of war. Our national
counsels %furthered the cause of
peace in other lands and the spir-
it of beneyolence has brought us
into closer touch with other peo-
pie, to the Strengthening of the
bonds Of fellowship and good will
that link US to our comrades in
the universal brotherhood Of ma
lions.
Strong in the sense Of our W
right and inspired by as strong
a sense of the rights Of others.
we live in peace and harmony
With the world. Rich in the
priceless possession Of abundant
resources. wherewith the UNI
stinted bounty Of God has endow-
ed us, we are unsefishly glad
whcn other peoples pass onward
to prosperity and peace. That,
II great privileges we enjoy may
continue, and. that each coming
Eear may see our country more
firmly established in the regard
and esteem of our fellow nations
is the prayer that should arise In
every thankful heart.
With these thoughts before us as
a people. today may we'll be a day
OF real giving Of thanks for the
things that are ours rs a people,.