| Show thanksgiving it cannot be that earth is mans only abiding place it cannot be that our life is a bubble cast up by the ocean of eternity to float a moment upon its waves and sink int nothingness else why is it the high and glorious aspirations which leap like angels from the temple of our hearts are forever wandering unsatisfied why is it that the rainbow and cloud come over us with a beauty that pass off and leave us to muse of their loveliness why is it that the stars which hold their festival around tile the midnight throne are set above the grasp of our limited facilities forever mocking us with their unapproachable glory and finally why is it that the bright forms of human beauty are presented to our view and taken from us leaving the thousand streams of our affections to flow back in an alpine torrent upon our hearts we are born for higher destiny than that of earth there is a realm where the rainbow never fades where the stars will be spread out before us like the islands that slumber on the ocean and where the beautiful beings which pass before us like shadows will stay forever in our presence in these beautieu fu we can all find much to be thankful for een if a vacant chair is in our home and the dark side ide of life beems turned towards us they will place a silver lining back of any cloud As a matter of fact we all haven have much to be thankful for in many ways Thanks thanksgiving gi ving i is is one of our most delightful events it comes at a time when the rigors of winter are not yet at hand we have at our disposal all the varied products of the soil and the time for a season of partial rest for the farmer is at nana une one of its most delightful features which has become quite general is the gathering together under the old rooftree roof tree of all the scattered sons and daughters on this day two three and sometimes four generations thus meet around the festive and hospitable table of the old homestead and thus fraternal ties are strengthened and filial piety encouraged the first fixed and official day of thanksgiving was held in the year 1665 in the old public records of the court of connecticut we find the following order which the court issued on october 12 1665 appointing a day d ay of general thanksgiving this court does appoint a solemn day of thanksgiving to be kept throughout this colony on the last wednesday of november to return praise to god for his great mercy to us as in the continuation of our liberties and privileges both civil and ecclesiastic sia and for our peace and preventing those troubles that we feared by foreign enemies and for the blessings in the fruits of the earth and the general health of the plantations it will be noted that the appointed day was wednesday instead of thursday as we now celebrate |
