AMERICA'S THANKSGIVING DAY.

Timaru Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 3131, 11 December 1899, Page 4

AMERICA'S THANKSGIVING DAY.

November 30th was Thanksgiving Day m America. In ii proclamation President McKinley said :— " A nati< n»l custom, dear to the henrts of the p(( pie, calls for the setting apart of one da> m each year for special thanksgiving to Almighty God for the blessing of the preceding year. This honour* d observance acquires with time a tenderer significance. It enriches domestic* lift-. It summons under the family roof Hie absent children to glad reunion with those they love. Seldom has this nation had greater cause lor profound thanksgiving. No great pestilence has invaded our Shores. .Liberal employment waits upon labour. Abundmit crops have rewarded the efforts of the husbandman. Increased comforts have come to the home.. National finances have been strengthened and public credit has been sustained and made firmer. In all branches of industry and trade there has been an unequalled decree of prosperity, while there has been a steady gain m the moral and educational growth of our national character. Church ps and schools have flourished. American patriotism hag been exalted. Those onengaged m maintaining the honor of tin flag with such signal success have m ;» large degree been spared from disaster and disease. An honourable pea c has been ratified with every power on c .nh. The trnßC which we have assume -1 for the benefit 0! the people of Cuba bus faithfully advanced. While the insurrection still continues m the island of Luzon, buninpss is resuming its activity and confid< nee m the good purposes of the United Stales is being rapidly established throughout the archipelago. For these reasons and countless others, I, William MeKinley, President of the Unite.d States do name Thursday, the 30th of November next, as a day of general thanksgiving and prayer, and I advise that on this day religious exercises shall be conducted m the churches or meeting places of all demoninations, m order that m the social features of the day its real significance may not be lost sight of, but fervent prayers, offered to the Most High for a continuance of the divine guidance without which man's efforts are vain, and for divine consolation to those whose kindred and friends have sacrificed their lives for our country. Irecoirmend, also, that op this day, so far as may be found practicable, labour shall cease from its accustomed toil and charity abound toward the sick, the needy, and the poor.