Show GIVING THANKS IN DARK DAYS OF revolution GEORGE thanksgiving day proclamation at valley forge took great pains to put before the soldiers the tremendous reason for this most special acknowledgment of the divine goodness we of today looking back with a full knowledge of the great trials and sufferings placed upon the continental army in that winter of misery at valley forge may perhaps wonder at the faith thus unfolded there Is however one fact which we accustomed to observe observe the last thursday of november as thanksgiving day should not overlook it is thanksgiving day as we know it with a definite place upon our calendar did not come into existence until thanksgiving day originated with the pilgrims who set aside a day for thanksgiving at plymouth immediately after their first harvest in 1021 the massachusetts eay day colony first observed such a day in 30 and frequently thereafter until when it DECEMBER 13 1621 became an annual fest festival lal in that colony connecticut also had a similar festival annually from 1047 onward usually these days for thanksgiving fol followed loed the harvest and were set aside primarily to give ghe thanks to the oie lord tor for the blessings he had bestowed upon the colonists during the revolution evolution Il the continental congress appointed one or more days tor for abanks thanksgiving edg each year except in 1777 when not even a congressman could find any blessings to point out to his constituents as acason re ibon for rejoicing these revolutionary thanksgiving days usually were founded upon some military success and fortune smiled wanly indeed upon the continental army in 1777 the winter of despair at valley forge valley forge observation thanksgiving day proclamation at valley forge came reame after the snows and the age hunger and the sufferings of that terrible winter of 1777 78 had departed and spring smiled again upon the fertile valleys of if pennsylvania the occasion was the entrance of france into the war as an ally of the colonies the val ley icy forge thanksgiving hay blay 1778 was a military celebration with the chaplain of brigade directed to offer up thanks and deliver a discourse suitable to the occasion then there was cannon fire and buzzas and cries of long live the king of rr france ance long live the friendly european rs and finally a general running fire and the the american states celebrations of peace another special thanksgiving hing day was ordered by general washington bt at newburgh on the hudson april 19 1781 eight years to the day from the slim fired at lexington Lei logton ultimate peace had bien assured c ever lr since the mirre rider of cornwallis but the question lind had becoat licate ever since how flow atas as it possible to keep even een a remnant of the arn army alive ache to 0 receive the treaty ot of peace six months more of this starvation this utter discouragement as to the use of it all the harassed general dared not think of what his poor boys might be driven to do to end it all the joy with which the information was at last received from sir guy carleton Cari eton that a cessation of hostilities was announced can scarcely be imagined immediately the commander in chief issued his proclamation and directed that a public religious service and thanksgiving should take place on Z MAY 7 1778 the same evening april 19 this was probably the happiest thanksgiving america has ever experienced writes estelle harris in the bicentennial news published by the alexandria va gazette in operation cooperation co with the united states commission for the celebration of the two hundredth anniversary of birth A country gained glory and honor and home around the bend ot of the road december 11 1783 the gloriously solemn day appointed by congress dr john rogers preached his famous sermon announcing D noun oll cing we have taken our place among the nations and empires of the earth presidential proclamation the first presidential thanksgiving proclamation named november 20 1789 As far as the people were concerned they could join in with any and all services for they felt the nation was saved again now that the great washington was at the helm belm As for father george himself lie he was entirely too busy to write much in APRIL 19 1783 that diary of his that Is such a precious legacy to his people here Is all he says november 20 being the day for a thanksgiving I 1 went to st pauls chapel though it was most inclement and stormy but few people at church the signing of the confederation articles was th the especial occasion quelling the insurrection in pennsylvania was again a deliverance from danger and cause for great rejoicing on the part of all the people and a proclamation was made appointing a day of thanksgiving for the general welfare and stable condition of the union this was issued from independence pen dence hall and february 10 1793 1795 was thus set apart on which day the nation was with devout reverence and affectionate gratitude to return thanks for its national blessings and implore their continuance As with all of george papers this proclamation abounds in patriotism and counsel of the highest order both as worthy of emulation today as yesterday much reason for thanks in looking back to these special thanksgiving days of early american history no patriotic heart can help feeling the beauty and appropriateness of these gatherings also the part they played in keeping the little nation as one ideal family until it could walk alone the american fathers holding before it the truths on jn jl 15 TU J I 1 NOVEMBER 26 1789 which the foundation rests libe liberty equality integrity for whatever elsa 1 lias has or has not happened the foundation of this nation still rests securely and there is much to be thankful for on thanksgiving day the stars have 11 not ot faltered in their course and freedom still reigns the good earth has blossomed and fruited for her overlord man as in and 1776 and now that hat autumn has marked the finish I 1 SWO of f her harvest tor for this year old earth is drawing back glicr sap her and her chemicals into her storeroom to be covered with snowy blankets instead or of green grass conserving and renewing all her power making ready for next summers spread of glory spiritual significance the thanksgiving anner r may be as it often lias has been hallowed ano and take on a sacramental character it it Is not more than a mere feast it Is 1 wholly out of keeping with the true spirit of the day which Is one of pro found spiritual significance emphasizing as it does the relation between betwee n god and man it is possible to spiritualize the most commonplace and even material things as one meal in tile the upper room was spiritual spiritualize spiritualized spi ritualized iz ed twenty centuries ago and has survived both as a sacrifice and a trig ing ledger |