Evening star., 1915-11-21

failed in its observance. Lincoln's pray
ers were not sectional. They were for
q reunited country.
In his second Thanksgiving proclama-
tion, setting apart Thursday. August 8,
1868, Lincoln asked that the people OF
the United States render the homage
due to the Divine Majesty for the Won
derful things He has done in the ma
tion's behalf and invoke the influence
of His Holy Spirit to subdue the anger
tanned a needless and cruel rebellion"
In the November following, on the last
Thursday of the month. thus fxirg a
day that other Presidents have adopted.
Lincoln again Joined with his country
men in Thanksgiving and praise to our
Reneficent Father, who dwelleth in
the heavens"
''The year that is now drawing to-
ward its close" he wrote in his proc
lamation, has been hlled with the
blessings of fruitful fields and health
full skies" Peace, he said, had been
preserved with all nations Order had
been maintained and laws respected
and obey~d.
"And harmony" he added. has pre-
vailed everywhere. except in the thea
ter of military conflict and that thea
ter has been greatly contracted"
mo human mind" this good man de-
clared. hath devised nor hath any
mortal hand worked out those great
things. They are the gracious gifts of
a Most High God"
Only one more Thanksgiving procla
nation was written by Abraham Lin
day of November. 1864 observed by
all my fellow citizens. wherever they
may be, by humbling themselves in the
dust, and from thence to offer up peni-
tent and fervent prayers and supplica-
tions to the Great Disposer of Events,
the Beneficent Creator and Ruler of the
Universe. for a return Of the inesti-
mable blessings Of peace, union and har-
mony throughout the land. which 1t
has pleased Him to assign as dwell
ing place for ourselves and for our pos
terity throughout all generations"
There were also three days of "hu-
initiation, prayer and fasting" while
Lincoln was President The first one
asked for by both houses Of CONGRESS
The second. suggested by the Senate.
was in recognition. as Lincoln told the
country. of the sublime truth. an
nounced in Holy Scriptures and proven
by all history that those nations only
are blessed where God is the Lord"
Andrew Johnson. following Lincoln,
spoke of Almighty God" our 'Heav-
enly Father and the Creator of the
Universe" in his proclamations. "Our
Heavenly Father" he said in 1857. has
permitted US to multiply ships upon our
lakes and rivers and upon the high
seas. and at the same time to extend
our iron roads SO far into the secluded
places of the continent as to guarantee
speedy overland intercourse between
the two oceans"
In his Thanksgiving proclamations
Gen. Grant referred to the Supreme
Author" the Father of All Mercies."
the Most High" and the Almighty
Ruler of the Universe" Rutherford B.
Hayes an active member of the Metho-
dist Church, who banished wine from
the White House. but gave very costly
state dinners to show. perhaps, that he
was not parsimonious, wrote Of the
''Giver of All Good" and the Great
Ruler of Times. Seasons and Events"
James A. Garfield was a laypreacher
among the Disciples.
The "Giver of all Good" was phrase
also used by Chester \. Arthur the
most elegant gentleman, possibly, ever
to occupy the White House. "God,' he
said in one of his Thanksgiving proc
Iamations, whose goodness has been
SO manifest in our history and our
lives
Gen. Arthur was an Episcopalian.
Grover Cleveland, the son Of Presby-
terian minister, was a devout man.
The "Giver of every Good and Perfect
Gift" the Ruler Of the Universe" and
the God of Nations to be read in his
proclamations. testify to his faith.
The second Observation-Disclosures