The state herald., 1913-11-21
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~ THANKSGIVING DAY has long
and curious history and did not
originate entirely with the Pill
IL grims at Plymouth, for Thanksgiv-
zS&SSS ing days mentioned In the BIZ
GN~Sfs&e ble-days set apart for giving
~ \ US thanks to God for some special
M IN mercy. These days of fast and
~ prayer customary in England
before the Reformation and later
the Protestants appointed certain days of praise
and thanks for various blessings. The discov
cry of the Gunpowder Plot in 1905 in London
brought the common sentiment of Thanksgiving.
scheme had been formed TO blow up parlia.
ment house the 9Th of November, the first
day of the session. Great quantities of gunpow-
der and in1ammable material were found con-
cealed in the vaults underneath the building. The
plot discovered and the traitors were exc
cuted. In cor-equence Of this deiverance the
day was ordered to be kept "a public thanks
giving TO Almighty God" every year that "un
feigned thankfulness may never be forgotten and
that all ages to come may yield praises to Gods
divine majesty for the same" All ministers
ordered TO say prepers thereon, for which special
forms were provided. This annual thanksgiving
together with one established later May 49,
was abolished in 1888 in England for both had
fallen into disuse. For several years afterwards
however these days were recognized in New
England by the Episcopal church on account of
Its place in their church calendars. England
continued to have special days appointed for CIV
Ing thanks. and as recently as 1872 there a
day selected for the public to offer prayers OF
thanksgiving for the recovery of the late King
Edward. then prince of Wales from typhoid
fever
The first thanksgiving the American CONT
nent was held by an English minister named
Wolfall. and celebrated OF the coast of New
foundland This pious man accompanied the
Frobisher expedition which brought the first Eng
lish colony to North America The log OF the
ship gives the record OF the days observances
and tells how on Monday May 2s 1875 aboard
the Ayde. the men received communion. and how
Minister Wolfall In sermon gave humble and
hearty thanks to God for his miraculous deliver
ance In these dangerous places This was the
frst Christian sermon preached In North Ameri.
can waters. Again In 1907 there was n similar
service held at sagadahoc-a little village on
the coast OF Maine. There is little record OF
this Thanksgiving except that II consumed only
few hours OF the day. after which the people
returned TO their labors.
The great American Thanksgiving day had it's
origin In the Massachusetts colony In 1921. and
Gov. William Bradford. the frst governor OF that
little band OF sturdy pilgrims. sent out the first
Thanksgiving proclamation, setting apart day
for prayer and rejoicing over the plenteous har.
vest Of that year. The Engllshmen recalled their
Guy FaNkes thanksgiving. and the Dutch remem,
--d hearing their ancestors speak OF the great
Of praise and prayer held at Leyden. Hol.
l..nd. In 1913, when that city was dell7ered from
a siege. SO. the entire colony began their plous
preparation for what proved to be the eaycst
Thanksgiving the colony ever knew for after
the nrst one. which lasted several days. the
Puritan Thanksgiving meant long sermons long
prayers and long faces, Governor Bradford de.
termned that the initial Thanksgiving should be
celebrated with little ceremony and that
feasting should play a part In the occasion His.
tory tells US that he sent out four men who
were TO search for game for the feast Many
fowls were shot-in fact. enough to meet the
wants Of the colony for week. Wilj turkeys
prcdominaicf 10 II seems that the turkey made
It's appearance early In the history OF Thanks
giving The day selected was December 10 fold
rtylol. A. the dawn OF that day n small cannon
was nrod from the hill and a procession was
formed near the beach, close TO whore the
Plymouth Rock BSw restH Elder Brewster, wear.
ing his ministerial garb and carrying the Bible
led the procession az II moved rolcmnly along
the street The men walked three abreast with
Governor Bradford In the rear. There was n
long service In III. meeting house. and after Il
was over ther. was u dnner-and such n din.
ner had never been known In the colony. for
npar, from the Hayory turkey and other Wild
fowl the women had done their share In pro-
vidng sood things from tho limited supply at
their command. Tho most dramatic Incident 90
CURED when the dinner was In progress, for as
n BY magic 20 friendly red m.n under King
Massasoit appeared. carrying launches OF veni
son As an addition TO tho feast Thanksgiving
singing and feasting, intersrerssd with war
dances, were continued several days
After that Thanksgiving days took on a dfor.
ont aspect and occurred NJ any season; sofna.
times twice year, or sometimes a yesr or two