Gilpin observer., 1912-11-21


remotest antiquity 1t is part of natural religion.
and is probably old the human race. In
written records We have ample evidence that the
festival was celebrated in connection with "the
fruits of the earth" by the ancient Egyptians. the
Jews, the Greeks, and the Romans. Long before
Luther's revolt from Rome in the sixteenth CEN
tury 1t had been observed by the Christians; and
after the reformation thanksgiving days were
In frequent use by the Professionals especially
those of England.
creed it the custom to observe day OF
feasting and to lay offerings upon the affairs of
ISIS the goddess Of agriculture The Jewish fes-
tival was the 'ingathering" the feast of the
tabernacle" mentioned in Exodus and other parts
of the Old Testament. This more partcu-
larly Thanksgiving for the fruit harvest, and as
it at the close of the entire harvest 1t prob
ably was intended also a general thanksgiv-
Ing "for the bounty of nature" in the year that
had passed
This festival appears early in Jewish history
and, as 1t connected with the land and its
possession, may have had Canaanitish proto-
type. Its celebration was annual and each festi-
val continued through seven days. At the begin
ming two vessels Of silver carried in a
ceremonious manner to the temple one full of
water, the other of wine which were poured at
the foot of the altar Of burnt offerings always
the seventh day Of the festival"
Plutarch describes this ceremonial which he
believed was feast to Bacchus. He says: THE
Jews celebrated two feasts to Bacchus. In the
midst Of the vintage they spread tables, spread
with all manner Of fruits. and live in tabernacles
made especially Of palms and Ivy wreaths to-
gether. few days later they kept an
other festival which was openly dedicated to
Bacchus. for they carried boughs of palms in
their hands, with which they went into the tenn
pie, the Levtes going before with Instruments of
music"
Analogous to the Jewish festival and possibly
borrowed from 1t was that of the old Greeks, the
Thesmorphia This was a feast to Demeter the
goddess of the harvest. 1t lasted nine days and
consisted of sacrifices of the products of the soil
with oblations Of wine. milk and honey" Theo-
critus refers to 1t in the Seventh Idyl where 81
michidas says: Now, this Is way to the
Thalysia, for our friends, in sooth. are making a
feast to Demeter Of the beautiful robe. offering
the first fruits Of their abundance since for them
in bounteous manner the goddess has piled the
thrashing floor with barley"
The goddess Of the Roman harvest was Ceres
Her festival celebrated annually and was
called Ceralia. 1t was day for worship and
rustic sports. Men and women formed process
sons and went to the fields with music Virgil
refers to this festival He mentions the sacri-
fees that were offered in the temples and audes
to the 1oyousness of the occasion
In way another. Thanksgiving day had
been observed in Christian Europe for centuries
before Its celebration in New England. On the
continent, and for a time in England. It occurred
at Martinmas. which was day Of feasting and
drinking. Occasionally. too. civil authorities
recommended the observance OF some fixed day.
To celebrate the victory OF King Henry v. Of Eng
land at Agincourt Oct. 25, 1415 public thanks
giving was held on Sunday. the feast OF st. Ed
ward. the king and confessor. Such day. too.
was observed in Leyden Holland Oct 3. 1875 the
first anniversary Of that city from the siege by
the Spaniards.
Many instances OF thanksgiving days can be
pointed out in England during the sixteenth and
seventeenth centuries In 1859. the second year Of
Ezabeths reign Thanksgiving day entered Roga
ton day Then It ordered that thanks should
be given to Almighty God for the increase and
abundance OF his fruits upon the earth" In this
reign. too, there great national thanksgiv-
ing day that is worthy OF note This occurred on
Tuesday. Nov. 10. 1858. and in commemora
ton of the great victory over the 'invincible
armada" II had been described by Nico In his
Progress Of Queen Elizabeth" by Stowe and by
some other contemporary writer's We are told
that "the day kept holy throughout the
realm. with sermons. singing Of psalms. bonfres,
sto.. for Joy and Thanksgiving unto God for the
overthrow Of the Spaniards. enemies on the
sea; and the citizens Of London in their liveries
that day had a sermon at st. Paul's cross tending
to that end"
One legal and annual Thanksgiving day be-
cause of the long time II was such deserves spe-
oial mention. After the traitors in the gunpowder