Thanksgiving Day – The Religious National Holiday

1900

Thanksgiving day is unique in one respect at least in that it is our only National holiday to which a distinctly religious character is given by official utterance. Christmas day, because it recalls the birth of Christ might be supposed to be the more religious occasion of the two, but Christmas long since has lost much of its religious significance as also indeed has Thanksgiving, but it is still true of the later that its celebration is ordered by official proclamation.

This at first thought may not mean a great deal, for we know in what terms of stale conventionality these annual proclamations are issued and that they come sometimes from executives to whom the name of God has no sacred import. But it is very significant that there has never yet been a Governor or President, however much of an unbeliever he might be, who was willing to offend the religious sense of the nation by failing to appoint a day of prayer and Thanksgiving.

It has often been observed that the name of God does not appear in our federal Constitution, but what matters it so long as year by year our chief magistrate and the magistrates of our nearly half a hundred mighty commonwealths call upon the people to remember God on this day of prayer. It matters little and especially so if the people themselves will but preserve this day and observe it in a manner consistent with its traditions. It need not be altogether spent in prayer and fasting; praise and feasting are quite as much in place.

Above all it should be a day when family ties are strengthened, when family hearths are ablaze and when father and mother, son and daughter should bow together before our Father's God, acknowledging all his blessings, and seeking his forgiveness for our sins. They who dedicate Thanksgiving day to mere sport and dining betray a sacred institution, and dishonor a noble ancestry who held God in faithful remembrance.

—The Ram's Horn, Nov. 17, 1900, p. 6.

General Grant's Religion

1885

Religion in the time of Grant has ceased to be a subject of difference. In his dying hours he said that he was glad to receive messages of cheer from persons of every religion and from those without any religion. Here is, perhaps, the greatest recognition from one in authority yet made on the quality of those without religious profession. Grant made it in the face of death, and how singularly clear his mind must have been of superstition is realized in that congratulation.

Every day was expected to be his last, and, having his hard back to the world, the man of faith said: "Thank you, who believe in all your different sects, for kindness to me, and my blessing on you, too, who have never thought on these subjects."

From the most radical type of Catholic to the most ancient type of Jewish Rabbi; from the Chinaman who washes clothes in the name of Confucius and takes note of every day's duties to the most sneering skeptic out of the German laboratory, the realm of toleration has grown through Grant more than through any preachers, priests or pontiffs.

He went abroad and saw how every body worshiped, looked into their temples and tied the world together with the chains of his observation and good will. — Gath's Sunday letter.

Gum-Chewing Girl Makes Faces at Minister

March 1896

Two girls in Cumberland, Pennsylvania, have been heavily fined for disturbing public worship by chewing gum. The minister testified that when he remonstrated with one of the girls she made faces at him.

The Congregational Church of Sedalia, Missouri, is going to make a grand effort to bring the old sinners into the fold this year. Young women are to act as ushers in place of the young men hitherto acting in that capacity.

Mrs. Cleveland rarely fails to attend the regular church services, and is scrupulously exact in being present on all special days.

Princess Christian of Schleswig-Holstein who is Queen Victoria's daughter Helena, and her daughter Princess Victoria, are to sing solo parts in the "Messiah" at a church concert at Slough.

No Tango at White House

1914

But Circumstances Obviate Necessity of the President Ruling

Washington, Jan. 15. — President Wilson apparently is awaiting the verdict of clericals on both sides of the water who are investigating the tango before placing the stamp of his approval or his ban upon this and kindred dances.

All Washington — or at least the major portion of the national capital's society which attended President Wilson's reception to the diplomatic corps, is discussing the manner in which the president evaded the question of whether to tango or not to tango?

When the crowd thinned out, toward midnight, the younger set, who had come to the executive mansion with the expectation of indulging in a modest "hesitation" or tango, waited for the Marine Band to begin the syncopated melodies appropriate for these dances. Marches and Viennese waltzes seemed to be the only music the band could play, and the word was soon passed that the President and Mrs. Wilson thought it best not to have any dancing at this, their first reception.