Norwich bulletin., 1913-11-21
MAYFLOWER CLUB
 CELEBRATED COMPACT DAY.
Signing of Document by the Pilgrim
 Fathers Commemorated.

The Mayfower club held it's usual celebration of Compact day on Thurs day in commemoration of the signing of the compact by the Pilgrim Fathers in the cabin of the Mayf1ower in Prov = incetown harbor in 1920.
 After the usual dainty luncheon, at which the flowers and bonbons were in the society colors, pink and white, a short programme was conducted by Mrs. Christopher Morgan, the presi- dent. pr. Leonard Bacon's hymn. Oh, God, Beneath Whose Guiding Hand, was sung, and then the compact itself the first real democratic document in existence-was read by Miss Annie Till1nghast. Mrs. Hernan's poem, The Breaking Waves Dashed High, was read by Miss Ellen Geer.
 Miss Tillinghast again accompanied at the piano for the singing of the Mayfiower Song, after which Mrs. B. F. Bishop read an excellent paper, writ ten for the occasion, upon Thanksgiv- ings, Ancient and Modern. That the real prosperity of every nation must depend upon the production of the soil has been recognized from the earliest times, and the celebration of the in gathering of the fruits of the soil was instituted as a religious service in most ancient times, both by the Israelites and by pagan peoples. She described
 
 tions, and traced the way in which these old heathen customs were trans formed into Christian festivals. Vic tories and delfverance from famine and pesttlence have also been occasions for thanksgiving. An example of this was the public thanksgiving held in Eng land Nov. 9th 1905, upon the discovery of the gunpowder plot. The custom of burning at night the image of Guy Hawkes., the conspirator, was contin- ued in England until 1883. It was rec ogniZed in early New England to some extent, and bonfires were still lighted in the streets of Brooklyn 40 or 50 years ago. Probably the custom of burning barrels in Norwich on Thanks giving had it's origin in the burning in effigy of Guy Hawkes. by the boys in England.
 The first thanksgiving in New Eng land was the four days of feasting held as harvest festival in Plymouth in 1921, and in which the Indians joined. The Puritan idea of Thanksgiving was different from this Pilgrim festival and they appointed the first recorded one, proclaimed by authority in Amer ica, in 1881. This Thanksgiving was set apart for religious worship 9th CTS were appointed during the revolu- tfon and by presidents of the United States at various times after that
 
 tfcut established the annual Thanksgiv- ing in the last of November as a harv- est home, or fngathering festival, and have kept 1t for more than 100 years. After the civil war this observance be- came national and is now a legal holi- day.
 Mrs. Bishop then described the Thanksgiving of our grandmothers' days, and the delightful childhood rec ollections of those family Thanksgiv- ing parties.
 land, was given with spirit by Mrs. Nelson D. Robinson, and the singing of America closed the exercises.
 The club members of Norwich and vicinity acted SIS hostesses and 31 mem bers and guests were present. The members were Mrs. Christopher Nor gan, Mrs. Benjamin L. Holmes, Mys- tic; Mrs. John L. Branch, Miss Fran ces Potter, Mrs. Frederick M. Smith, Miss Elizabeth Stark, Miss Genevieve Stark. Mrs. Charles B. Graves, Miss Lucretia w. Smith, Mrs. Charles B.. Jennings, Mrs Herbert L. Crandall, Miss Harriet Prince, Mrs. Nelson M. Keeney, Mrs. Charles D. Parkhurst, New London: Mrs. Guilford Smith, South Windham; Mrs. Waldo Filling hast, PIain1eId; Mrs. Nelson D. Rob- inson, Miss Eliza W. Avery, Mrs. Wa terman R. Burnham, Mrs. Benjamin F. Lewis, Miss Ellen Geer, Miss Lucy Geer Mrs. Burrill w. Hyde, Mrs. B. P. Bishop, Norwich.
 The guests were Mrs. Frank $. don; Mrs William H. Fitch, Mrs. Will liam H. Cardwell, Mrs Amos A. Browning, Mrs. Edward s. Worcester Norwich