Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-11-23

| ment made by the famous Israelitish
King Solomon for his failure at one time
to recognize the divine source of his
wisdom and blessings. 1t is said that
one day he bought thousand horses
and became SO engrOSsed in the purchase
that he forgot to say his prayers. This
he considered SO grievous a sin of in
gratitude that ne had 800 of the horses
sacrifice to God, and reserved for himself
only 100. These were, however, of the
best.
In ancient Greece the annual harvest
festival of Thanksgiving was the feast of
Demeter, the foundress Of agriculture
and the goddess of the harvests. 1t was
called Thesmophoria and was participat-
ed in only by married women This
feast of Demeter was annually held in
Athens in December. The sacred func-
tons were performed by two wealthy and
distinguished women acting for all their
sex. They then prepared the sacred meal.
On the first day of the feast the women
marched in procession to the promontory
OF ColiaS and for three days offered up
their thanksgiving in the temple of De-
meter Returning to Athens, they held a
three days festival there, at which a COW
and SOW as well as fruit and honey
combs were offered to Demeter. 1t is said
that the rites were sad at first, but wound
up in an orgy of mirth and dancing
Demeters symbols were poppies and ears
OF corn, basket of fruit and a little pig.
The Roman harvest thanksgiving was
held October 4, and was called the
Cerealia in honor of Ceres. 1t was begun
WITH a fast among the common people.
The Romans next offered up sow and
the first cuttings of the fields to Ceres.
and then held professions in the fields
accompanied by music and rustic sports.
The celebration wound up with a thanks
giving feast.
In northern Europe both the Saxons
and Celts observed a harvest home
celebration. In Scotland the harvest
home was called the KERN" referring
to the last sheaf of corn. The celebra-
tion of it there goes back to the
Saxons of the time OF Egbert.
As many of the American Indian
tribes show resemblances in language
and customs to the Gaelic Ceits of
Scotland, Ireland and to the Welsh of
Wales. it is not surprising to find that
a great autumnal festival is observed
by the American Indians also.
The Mandan Indians are by some
firmly believed to be descendants of
the lost colony of Madoc. Prince of
centuries before Columbus With the
above facts in mind it is interesting to
note that Catlin says tSee North
American Indians" vol -, that in all
the feasts of the Mandan chiefs and
medicine men where the pipe is lit and
about to be passed around they de-
liberately propitiate the good will and
favor of the Great Spirit by extending
the stem of the pipe upward before
they smoke it themselves" This would
seem to be tacit method Of giving
thanks or inviting divine participation
in their councils.
After the battle of Poitiers, in France.
the King of England, through Simon.
Archbishop of Canterbury. appointed
an eight-day thanksgiving festival to
be held all over England.
In the first year of King Edwards
reign special services were held for his
victory over the Scots.
At one time in England people were
forbidden to work on saints or holy
days. as well as on Sundays and feast
days. In the days of Henry VIII these
holidays were so numerous that they
seriously interfered with the work nee