THE FIRST THANKSGIVING CELEBRATION (Plymouth, Dec. n, 1621)
Our corn did prove well; and, God be praised, we had a good increase of Indian corn. Our harvest being gotten in, our Governor sent four men on fowling, that so we might, after a special manner rejoice together after we had gathered the fruit of our labors. Many of the Indians came amongst us, and among the rest their greatest king, Massasoit, with some ninety men whom for thtee days we entertained or feasted. Edward Winslow
FIRST THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATION
It is ordered yt ye II th day of June throughout this jurisdiction shall be sett apart for a day of Thanksgiving to Almighty God for His great and victorious mercyes to or dreare native countrye for ye comfortable and seasonable supplying vs wth moderate showers and His mercy in wth drawing His afflicting hand from vs.
What sought they thus afar?
Bright jewels of the mine?
The wealth of seas, the sports of war?
They sought a faith's pure shrine.
Hymn ('America.' First stanza only)
Thanksgiving for the Abundant Harvest
Leader:
Lord, thou hast been favorable unto thy land.
The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.
Assmbly:
Thou visitest the earth and waterest it,
Thou greatly enrichest it with the river of God, which is full of water ;
Thou preparest them corn, when thou hast so provided for it.
Leader:
Thou waterest the ridges thereof abundantly,
Thou settlest the furrows thereof;
Thou makest it soft with showers,
Thou blessest the springing thereof.
Assmbly:
Thou crownest the year with thy goodness,
And the little hills rejoice on every side.
The pastures are clothed with flocks ;
The valleys also are covered oyer with corn;
They shout for joy, they also sing.
All:
A BLESSING FOR THE LOAF
Back of the loaf is the snowy flour,
And back of the flour ; the mill ;
And back of the mill is the wheat and the shower,
And the sun, and the Father's will Maitbie Babcock
AUTUMN
A haze on the fair horizon,
The infinite tender sky,
The ripe, rich tints of the cornfields,
And wild geese sailing high,
And all over upland and lowland
The charm of the golden-rod,
Some of us call it autumn
And others call it God. Carrutb
Hynm (First and second stanzas only. Standing)
32
