Judith Gap journal. [volume] (Judith Gap, Mont.) 1908-19??, 1913-11-21


grims at Plymouth. for Thanksgv-
gS&as ing days mentioned in the BIZ
&T&p ble-days set apart for giving
~ ~ US thanks to God for some special
IN ~ mercy These days OF fast and
@ prayer we're customary In England
before the Reformation, and later
the Professionals 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 on the 9Th OF November. the first
day of the session. Great quantities Of gunpow.
der and infammable material we're found con-
cealed in the vaults underneath the building. The
plot was discovered and the traitors were exc
cuted. In consequence Of this deliverance the
day was ordered to be kept as "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 were
ordered to say prepers thereon, for which special
forms we're provided. This annual Thanksgiving.
together with established later May 20,
was abolished In 1888 in England. for both had
fallen into disuse. For several years afterwards,
however, these days recognized In New
England by the Episcopal church account Of
its place in their church calendars. England
continued to have special days appointed for CIV
ing thanks, and recently 1872 there
day selected for the public to offer prayers of
Thanksgiving for the recovery Of the late King
fever.
The first thanksgiving the American CONT
nent was held by English minister named
Wofal and was 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 %. 1878, 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
first Christian sermon preached In North Amer-
can waters. Again in 1907 there similar
service held at sagadahoc-a little village on
the coast Of Maine. There Is little record Of
this thanksgiving except that it consumed only
few hours OF the day after which the people
returned to their labors.
The great American Thanksgiving day had its
origin In the Massachusetts colony In 1921. and
Gov. William Bradford, the first 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 Englishmen recalled their
Guy Fawkes thanksgiving, and the Dutch remem-
bered hearing their ancestors speak OF the great
day Of praise and prayer held at Leyden. Hol
land, in 1873, when that city was delivered from
a siege. &c. the entire colony began their pious
preparation for what proved to be the gayest
Thanksgiving the colony ever knew, for after
the first 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 thai
feasting should play part in the occasion. His
tory tells that he sent out four men, who
were to search for game for the feast. Many
fowls we're shot-in fact enough to meet the
wants OF the colony for week Wild turkeys
predominated, so 1t seems that the turkey made
its appearance early in the history Of Thanks
giving. The day selected was December Is (olt
style). At the dawn Of that day small cannon
fred from the hill and procession wal
formed near the beach. close to where TIL
ing his ministerial garb and carrying the Bible
led the procession 1t moved solemny alon,
the street. The mon walked three abreast, witt
Governor Bradford in the There was
long service in the meeting house, and after I
was over there was q dinner-and such . dir
ner had never been known in the colony. 70,
apart from the savory turkey and other vii
fowl, the women had done their share in PR
viding good things from the limited supply q
their command. Tho most dramatic incident 0,
Cured when the dinner was In progress, for Z
II by magic 90 friendly red men. under Kin
Massasoit, appeared. carrying launches Of ven
az an addition to the feast Thanksg1vn
day soon Heightened into days. for the psalm
singing and Teasing. intersperse~ With ",
dances, were continued several days.
After that Thanksgiving days took on . diRe
ant aspect and occurred at any season; som
t1aas twice year. or sometimes year or tn