Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1916-11-30

come to us during the past year.
perhaps ours Is the only people wns
observe an annual Thanksgiving day
with one exception. Other nations SCI
apart a day occasionally for Thanks
giving, when their armies and naviei
have been successful, or when ruler
| has been returned to health.
| Real Thanksgiving days were mrs.
observed by the Hebrews. 1t had 9
large place in their religion. 1T was
taught them by Gods teachers They
observed at least three annual Thanks
giving days. The Passover commemo-
rated the passing over Of the Death
Angel and the deliverance of the Is
raelltes from Egyptian bondage. Fifty
days after the Passover came the day
of Pentecost at which time the first
sheaves of the harvest were waved for
the Lord, and the pentecostal loaves
made from the new meal were present
ed These represented the first fruits
of the harvest. and were promise OF
the full harvest. In connection with
, this feast the people were to rejoice be-
/ fore Jehovah, together with their fami-
lies servants, Levites, the stranger
| within their gates, the fatherless, and
the widows. In addition to this, they
were to bring freewill Offering unto
the Lord. A few weeks later they OBJ
served the Feast Of Tabernacles, or In
gatherings, which completed the round
Of annual feasts. In this feast they
commemorated the time when they
dwelt in tents in the wilderness, and
in addition thereto thanked God for the
completed harvest.
with US the custom originated with
the Pilgrim Fathers. who offered
thanks unto God after landing at Ply
mouth in December, 1920. They had
at least two reasons for this. They
could worship God according to the
promptings Of their own hearts, and
again because they had been given
safe journey across the Atlantic. The
first Thanksgiving for an abundant
harvest was observed on Dec. IS, 1921,
in accordance with proclamation OF
Governor Bradford. This feast lasted
for three days, and was interspersed
with prayer and singing Of psalms. 1t
is said that ninety friendly Indians
participated, bringing venison as their
contribution to the feast. Many days
have been set apart for thanksgiving:
but only since 1863 has it been OBJ
served annually on the last Thursday
Of November. This by the presidents
proclamation.
To-day the occasion has lost much
of its original character Few take
themselves to the house of God for the
purpose Of rendering thanksgiving and
praise unto the Father Instead the
day is given over to feasting, drinking.
and games.
People are the same today as in the
past. One says: Bless the Lord. o
my soul. and forget not all his bene-
fits Others say: Soul, thou hast
much goods laid up for many years:
take thine ease, eat, drink. and be mer-
ry.' But God said thou fool
The psalmist in urging his own
soul to Bless the Lord and forget not
all his benefits, sets forth a number or
reasons: Who forgiveth all thine in
EQUITIES: who healeth all thy diseases;
who redeemeth thy life from destruc-
ton, who crowneth thee with loving
kindness and tender mercies: who sat
isfeth thy mouth with good things. so
that thy youth is renewed like the ca
giles. The Lord executeth righteousness
and judgment for all that are Cypress
ed. He made known his ways unto
Moses, his acts unto the children OF
Israel. The Lord is merciful and gra-
cious slow to anger. and plenteous in
mercy. He will not always chide
neither will he hold his anger forever.
He hath not dealt with US after our
sins: nor rewarded US according to our
iniquities. For as the heaven is high
above the earth. so great is his mercy
to them that fear him. AS far as the
east is from the west, so far hath he
removed our transgressions from us
Like as father pitieth his children, 80
the Lord pitieth them that fear him.
AS nation we have many reasons
for thankfulness Religious and polt-
ical freedom. natural resources, devel-
oped institutions for worship, educa-
ton, and trade. also for the abundant
harvest and for some things that have
not come our way.
May we not be ungrateful: but with
the psalmist say earn estly: Bless the
Lord. 0 my soul: and all that is within
me. bless his holy name Bless the
Lord. o my soul, and forget not ali his
benefits"