[ VOLUII, :’umber 45
19 November
Is there any American, holiday quite like Thanksgiving as an expresseion of the
way we live?
What are we thankful for? For our churches and temples where we can worship
according to our conscience and convictions? For our schools and colleges and
universities, for our newspapers and magazines and books, our radio and tele
vision, our nfovies and theater?
Certainly. And thankful for the Constitution that guarantees them free ex
pression of ideas and opinions.
Modern housing, sleek cars, television sots, a wonderland of household appli
ances and comforts - thankful for them? Sure thing. And -for the free competi
tive society that puts thorn within our reach - not the reach of a ruling elite
but of the average American#
Some people think we .put too much emphasis on material blessings in our observ
ance of Thanksgiving# Actually it is a curious fret that in 1621, when the Pil
grams celebrated their abundant harvest with their first Thanksgiving feast,
they held no religious service - at least the official records of the period
make no .mention of one# Their second Thanksgiving two years later, however,
was religious as well as festive#
But on the matter of materialism - Americans really aren’t guilty of over
stressing this aspect of the fourth Thursday in November.- They give thanks
not alone for .the good life but for the way of life - their free society -
that makes it possible# And did you over see a church empty of worshippers
on Thanksgiving Day?
Thanksgiving Day, A^ak, Alaska - 1962#