A National “Day
of Thanks”—The Dream and the Reality
SARAH J. HALE had a dream. It launched her on
a thirty-six-year “crusade” before she gained victory. The dream? As she wrote
in September of 1863—to see established a “yearly Thanksgiving as a permanent
American National Festival which shall be celebrated on the last Thursday in
November in every State of the Union.”
Being the editor of Godey’s Lady’s
Book, “her editorials reached the largest number of people of any
periodical in the [United States].” Sarah’s campaign was vigorous. She wrote
hundreds of letters to government officials and prominent citizens.
Usually, Mrs. Hale receives the credit for
influencing President Abraham Lincoln to issue his Thanksgiving Proclamation on
October 3, 1863. Although acknowledging the raging civil war, Lincoln spoke of
the “blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies.” He noted “the advancing
armies and navies of the Union,” the growth in industry and population, and
concluded that these “great things . . . are the gracious gifts of
the most high God.” Lincoln, therefore, declared a nationwide “day of
thanksgiving.”
But what type of festival had the president
nationalized? Why did some resist the idea? And what has become the reality of
this dream? The answers to these questions form a revealing story.
How Did It
Begin?
Ask any North American schoolboy where
Thanksgiving comes from and you will probably hear a story about Pilgrims,
Indians and a turkey dinner that they shared. While basically legendary, a few
elements of the tale seem to be historical.
In the year 1620, a small English colony was
established on the edge of a vast and hostile wilderness. During the first
winter they lost nearly half their number due to disease and severe weather.
Autumn of 1621, however, saw a good corn crop. Therefore, a holiday—a three-day
festival—was declared.
The colony was comprised of a religious group
known as the Saints, and other residents whom the Saints called the Strangers.
The latter were in the majority and were mostly people seeking economic
opportunities in America. One could hardly find a more unlikely conglomerate
for establishing a religious festival. Why? Because, unlike the Strangers, the
Saints were basically anti-celebration! A little background will help us to understand.
The Saints, historically dubbed the Pilgrims
(‘devout travelers’), had sprung doctrinally from the Puritans. The Puritans
were Protestants who wanted to “purify” the Church of England of what they
considered to be ‘popish tapestries.’ Some gave up and became Separatists. Many
Separatists, including the Saints, fled England for religious freedom.
Thus the Saints were Puritans at heart. And
Puritan teachings strongly opposed what were considered to be pagan traditions
that had “crept” into Catholicism and the Church of England. They condemned
most of the celebrations then popular in Europe. In fact, a historian of the
early Thanksgiving holiday says: “One of the potent influences which aided its
general acceptance in these colonies was the Puritanic hatred of Christmas as a
relic of ‘Popish mummery.’”
So what kind of three-day festival did the
Pilgrims allow? While myths abound, the few facts available from early records
indicate that besides a formal march, the settlers “exercised” or displayed
their ability with firearms. Then the ninety or so Indian “guests” (possibly
uninvited) apparently exhibited their prowess with bow and arrow. There was, of
course, much feasting.
The menu on the occasion is disputed. It is
generally agreed that the Indians brought five deer, adding venison to the
fare. However, the presence of the celebrated dish of modern Thanksgiving—turkey—is
not clearly established. Do the brief references to “fowl” include not only
duck and geese but also wild turkey? Legend has it so.
It is interesting to note that the following
year no such holiday was held. The crops bad, the problems many, the Pilgrims
felt that there was little to celebrate. In actuality, it is doubted that the
Pilgrims would have instituted a yearly celebration, since they believed
in a more spontaneous show of thanks, prompted by immediate signs of
well-being.
An Earlier
Origin?
Was this the beginning of a holiday
now observed by millions? Many feel so, but others favor another view. How so?
While admitting that the present celebration
has some connection with the Pilgrims, where did these get the idea of a
thanksgiving festival? Historians note that ‘harvest festivals’ were among the
oldest known holidays. And there were several different harvest celebrations in
existence at the time of the Pilgrims.
Of special interest is the fact that the
Pilgrims did not flee directly from England to North America. They first fled
to Holland. Although religiously free there, they were disappointed with the
industrial way of life, the “new” language and their economic circumstances. So
from Holland they sailed on The Mayflower to the “New World.”
But, argue some, the time in Holland would have brought them in touch with
European harvest festivals.
We do know that special celebrations over
good harvests had occurred in several of the early American colonies. Hence,
the 1621 celebration was not unprecedented.
Eventually this holiday was observed annually
in the New England area. However, it was not until 1789 that the first national
Thanksgiving Day was proclaimed by George Washington. And, even after that
precedent, this practice was not carried on by succeeding presidents. It is
claimed that Thomas Jefferson condemned it during his two terms. Finally, as
already noted, in 1863 Abraham Lincoln established a yearly national festival,
which ensuing presidents have honored.
Opposition and Change
Why did some people oppose the idea? For one
thing, many governors felt that it was an example of state interference with
religion. Actually, in time the celebration itself became more political.
For example, Mrs. Hale and her supporters
intended it to be both a day of patriotism and religion. She wrote in one
article: “Then in every quarter of the globe our nationality would be
recognized . . . every American . . . would thrill his soul
with the purest feelings of patriotism and the deepest emotions of thankfulness
for his religious enjoyments.” That this idea was held by others is noted in The
American Book of Days: “It has frequently been the
custom for clergymen to preach political sermons on Thanksgiving Day. In the
early years of the nineteenth century their sermons were extremely partisan.”
Thus time and legend have added much to the
celebration. Yet perhaps the most drastic changes are recent ones.
The Present
Reality
Today a growing cry is heard against
Thanksgiving Day practices. Many feel that current attitudes and customs make
it a mockery to call it a “Day of Thanks.” Why so?
In much of the United States, Thanksgiving
Day is the beginning of the Christmas season—a ‘holiday period’ extending
through New Year’s Day, January 1. So Thanksgiving (now the fourth Thursday in
November) becomes the signal for the commercial world to press for what is
called the ‘buying binge.’
Further, for many the day is becoming one for
‘saturating’ the public with sports events. The National Observer
told of a man who insisted that his wife quickly feed him during the “half-time”
break in the football game. “So after the poor woman had worked many hours
preparing the turkey and trimmings, the husband said grace, ate his dinner, and
was back in front of the television set—in nine minutes.”
While this is an extreme case, the increasing
emphasis on sports and commercialistic parades has led more and more people
away from any attitude of thankfulness. But how has the “secularizing” of the
day, as it is politely called, come about?
It ties in with the entire ‘religious picture’
in North America. The public’s view of most churches and their clergy
frequently is one of apathy and disdain. Even as one editorial spoke out
against “the void Christian churches failed to fill,” it also assailed church
leaders who “seemed to prefer to fill their hungry sheep with the most
convenient sort of instant political Pablum.”
Alongside disillusionment with most American
churches stands the reality of a population no longer agricultural. Less than 6
percent are now involved in farming. Since food obviously does not grow in
supermarkets and just pop out of plastic containers, North Americans in ever
greater numbers find little reason to contemplate a harvest festival.
Of course, for many the holiday is still a
time of family reunion. And there remain those who sincerely view this day as
one of thanksgiving to God. But with the rising tide of sports, the frequent
gluttony and drunkenness, the trend definitely is in another direction. For a
growing majority, having a special meal is the extent of “celebrating” Thanksgiving.
In view of its past associations and present
reality, those who seek God’s approval obviously have much to think about as
this holiday draws near. The Bible’s position on drunkenness and gluttony is
well known. (1 Pet. 4:3; Prov. 23:20, 21) But what is the Scriptural view
of such a national thanksgiving day?
A Bible Holiday?
Sarah Hale, in campaigning for a national
festival, wrote: “Can we not then, following the appointment of Jehovah in the ‘Feast
of Weeks,’ or Harvest Festival, establish our yearly Thanksgiving?” To what was
she referring? The belief, still held by some, is that observing a ‘thanksgiving
day’ is a Bible command, since Jehovah God instituted a harvest festival with
the Mosaic law given to the Jews. (Lev. 23:15-17) Actually, all three of Israel’s
primary festivals were directly associated with harvests.—Ex. 23:14-17.
However, with the teachings of Jesus Christ
came a new view of the prescribed Jewish celebrations. Just before his death,
Jesus commanded but one celebration. He required his followers to memorialize
his death. This observance was made all the more outstanding by its being the
only one.—Luke 22:19, 20.
The apostle Paul, in fact, became concerned
about Jewish Christians who still were “scrupulously observing days and months
and seasons and years.” He remarked: “I fear for you, that somehow I have
toiled to no purpose respecting you.” (Gal. 4:10, 11) Why was Paul so
concerned? Because, despite his hard work, these former Jews were clinging to
religious observances that God no longer desired. They were missing the “spirit”
of Christianity.
The early Christians were admonished to apply
the principle found at Ephesians 5:20. In the name of Jesus Christ, they
were to ‘give thanks always for all
things to their God and Father.’ Yes, an
attitude of constant appreciation for God’s provisions and protection was
emphasized repeatedly. The words “thanks” and “thanksgiving” are used over
forty times in the Christian Greek Scriptures.
On the contrary, the idea of a single day of
thanks undoubtedly would have reminded the early Christians of the pagan
Romans, who held an annual thanksgiving celebration in December. A writer of
the second century noted: “We [Christians] are accused of a lower sacrilege,
because we do not celebrate along with you the holidays of the Cæsars in a
manner forbidden alike by modesty, decency, and purity.”
What, then, is the modern-day Christian
likely to conclude as he views this national holiday? Looking at many of the
present practices, he may be reminded of Second Corinthians 6:14, where we read: “Do not become unevenly yoked with
unbelievers. For what fellowship do righteousness and lawlessness have?”
Naturally, many dedicated Christians will not
be working secularly on that day. Some may choose to take advantage of this
opportunity to enjoy fellowship with family and friends. Yet, what “spirit”
will a Christian manifest? It is true that God created turkeys and other foods,
so these are not in themselves objectionable. But undoubtedly one who is a true
Christian will want to be careful not to stumble others.
Consider what the apostle Paul says, as
recorded in First Corinthians, chapter ten. He reasons that Christians should
wisely avoid eating before others a perfectly acceptable food if doing so would
stumble them. ‘Respect your brother’s conscience’ is the message.
Really, should not all who profess
Christianity encourage a spontaneous spirit of thanksgiving—from the heart—the
year around?
The article in the Catholic newspaper pointed
out that back in ancient times, many evergreens, such as “holly, butcher’s
broom, laurel and branches of pine or fir were considered to have magical or
medicinal powers that would ward off illness.” It went on to say: “On Christmas
Eve, 24 December, Adam and Eve would be commemorated with the highly popular
episode of the Tree of the earthly Paradise . . . The tree ought to
have been an apple tree, but since an apple tree would have been inappropriate
in winter, a fir tree was set on the stage and some apples put on its branches
or, to symbolize the future coming of Redemption, wafers prepared with crushed
biscuits in special moulds that were symbols of the Eucharistic presence of
Jesus, as well as sweets and gifts for children.” What about after that time?
