“Tomorrow, Thanksgiving Day, with its
accompaniments of turkey, good cheer and feelings of gratitude, will be
celebrated throughout the Dominion, and nowhere probably with greater zest than
in Hamilton. Not that, as a people, we are more inclined to be thankful for
mercies than our fellows in other urban and rural communities; but we are a
great manufacturing city, and those of us who are hard at work making a living
from early morn till night for six days in the week ever enjoy ever enjoy an
occasional off day through the week.”
Hamilton Evening Times. November 07, 1883.
It was the fourth Thanksgiving
Day in Canada. Four years earlier, the Governor-General had officially declared
that a Thanksgiving day holiday should happen every year. Since that 1879
declaration, the actual date selected varied, year by year. In 1883, it was Thursday,
November 8:
“Thanksgiving Day comes in
very suitably between midsummer and Christmas and is always welcomed as a
holiday. It allows us time to rest and reflect – To ask ourselves, How much
have we to be thankful for? There is no use disguising the fact that while the
present is an age of great accomplishments, and of extraordinary progress, it
is a time of much grumbling. Lucky dogs are to be found in every community, who
seem to amass fortunes, while their fellows, beginning the race with equal
advantageous circumstances, signally fail to earn more than enough to get food
and keep up an appearance of respectability. But these eminently successful
fellows are few and far between, and after all the large proportions of the
human race must plod along, and work hard to earn a livelihood. Admitting all
this, there are few among us who have not something to be thankful for. If we
contrast the condition of the world today with what it was a hundred years ago,
and reckon up all the little comforts which we enjoy that our forefathers knew
nothing of, how enviable our lot seems to be. When we recollect that almost
every convenience of modern life has been brought into use since the beginning
of the present century, we wonder how our forefathers contrived to eke out an
existence. Yet they doubtless could take a retrospective glance, and that
Providence that their lives were not cast in the dark Middle Ages.
“Another way to look at the
matter is for one to cast his eyes around him, and see how much better off he
is than many of his fellows. Nothing helps more to put a man in a thankful
spirit than to discover that, hard though his lot may appear to be, it is not
nearly so hard as that of a fellow citizen, probably equally deserving with
himself. There are grades and grades of society, even in this new world, where
the opportunities presented for progress are the same alike to rich and poor,
and the number of those who are so poor and neglected that they have nothing to
be thankful for is small indeed. Of course, the idle factory workers – who have
been told by their one-time champions to take a holiday for a month or two,
because they have been earning such fabulous sums that they require a prolonged
vacation – would require the philosophy of a Mark Tapley to feel happy even in
this season of cheerfulness. But they are not without incentives to cultivate a
thankful spirit. They can join in the thanks of the people at large that this
Dominion of ours is so large, and its resources so ample, that it would take a
great deal more than the temporary misgovernment of the present Administration
to ruin it.
“Let us be thankful, too,
that we live in a land where the rights of life and property are respected;
where there are neither wars nor rumors of wars; where opportunities to
progress are presented to our youth such as are possessed by probably no other
nation on the face of the earth. These are great privileges, and the man or
woman who does not value them is not worthy of citizenship. Such a person
deserves to have neither appetite, feast, nor good digestion on Thanksgiving
Day.”1
1“Thanksgiving
Day”
Hamilton Evening Times. November 07, 1883.
There were no widespread
community or sports events scheduled to take on the 1883 Thanksgiving Day. The
Hamilton Evening Times did give a listing of which churches would be
appropriate services for the day as well as other observations:
“Tomorrow, the day set apart
by the Governor-General as the annual day of thanksgiving to God for blessings
bestowed on the nation during the year, will be observed as a general holiday.
Most persons will prefer to observe the day by seeking secular enjoyment, but
no doubt a large number will spend a portion of the day in devotion.
RELIGIOUS SERVICES
“Two services will beheld in
Christ Church Cathedral – one at 11 o’clock in the forenoon, when the Holy
Communion will be administered; the other at 8 o’clock in the evening. The
service in the evening will be full choral, the Cathedral choir being assisted
by the various Episcopal choirs of the city. Some fine church music will be
rendered and some good thanksgiving hymns sung. The sermon will be preached by
Rev. Prof. Clark, of Toronto, one of the most able preachers of the Church of
England in this country. As many people from other congregations besides the
Cathedral will be present in the evening, the offertory will be for the benefit
of St. Like’s Mission Church, an effort well worthy of support from all the
members of the Church of England in the city.
“A thanksgiving service will
be held in St. Paul’s Church tomorrow from 10 to 11 a.m., to be conducted by
the pastor. The thank offering will be for the benefit of the Girls’ Home.
“Service will be held in the
Central Presbyterian Church, commencing at 11 a.m. Rev. Mr. Lyle, the pastor of
the church, will preach an appropriate sermon.
“In the Centenary Church, a
thanksgiving service will be held at 11 a.m. A sermon will be preached by Rev.
W. W. Carson, and a special musical service will be provided. A collection for
the poor will be taken up.
“A public thanksgiving
service will be held in the Y.M.C.A. rooms tomorrow.
OTHER EVENTS
“The new hall of the
Oddfellows will be dedicated with appropriate ceremonies in the afternoon at 3
o’clock. Several distinguished brethren from a distance will be present to
assist in the ceremony. In the evening, the event will be celebrated by a grand
conversazione in the new hall. The conversazione will commence at 8 p.m. The
hall, which on the east side of John street north, near King, will be open to
visitors from 10 a.m. till 2 p.m.
“The young people of Gore
Street P. M. Church will hold their annual social tomorrow evening in the
church. Refreshments will be served from
7:30 to 8:30, and an excellent programme has been provided.
“A lecture will be delivered
in the Central Music Hall in the evening by Geo. W. Ross, M. P., under the
auspices of the Y.M.C.Association. The subject is the cultivation of a national
sentiment. Chair to be taken at 8 o’clock.
“Jacob’s Royal Museum and
Novelty Company will give exhibitions in the Opera House in the afternoon and
evening.
“A hop will be given in
Larkin Hall in the evening.”
The 1883 Thanksgiving day
was hardly day of rest for the reporter from the Times who had to put together the following report :
“The weather yesterday was delightful, and as
there were no special attractions announced in the city or out of it, the bulk
of the population spent a portion of the day in church.
The
Centenary
“The thanksgiving service in
the Centenary Church was largely attended. The meeting was conducted by the
pastor, the Rev. W. W. Carson, assisted by A. C. Crews, pastor of Hannah Street
Church. The music was good, and the collection for the poor was liberal. Rev.
Mr. Carson took as his text Psalm xcii. 1 ‘It is a good thing to give thanks
unto the Lord, and to sing praises unto thy name, O Most High.’ He said : ‘This
is our national thanksgiving day. The State authorities have recommended that a
portion of the day be spent in public worship, and in gathering up the
evidences of success and blessing furnished by the daily life of the nation
during the past year. It is true that we cannot with exactness estimate the
merit or demerit of the nation, but it is better to overestimate the good and
the bad qualities, because the heart needs more the inspiration of success than
the humiliation of supposed or real failure. In harmony with this recommendation
and with our own sense of obligation we are here, surrounded by the solemnities
of the sanctuary, with gratitude filling our hearts and songs vibrating on our
lips to celebrate this day. On this day throughout the whole Dominion, from the
Atlantic to Pacific, there is the rest and quiet as of the Sabbath. The wheels
of the factory are still and the throbbing furnace is black and cold. Stores of
merchandise and offices of trade are all closed. Our weary and overworked
teachers are enjoying the respite from the schoolroom, and the merry children
with shouts and laughter are playing on the green or nutting in the woods. The
husbandmen has gathered in his barns the yields of his broad acres, and all the
weary sons of labor are this day at rest. The minister of the State joins with
the minister of religion in gathering up the evidences of our moral and
material that men may learn to be thankful for the past and look into the
future with hope that for a single day at least, we may cease complaining andlook
only at the bright side of things. To a reflecting mind, there is something
beautiful, something sublime in the spectacle this presented. A whole nation
pausing, calling a halt to every industry and every activity in order to give a
national recognition of God.’
“The preacher pointed out
the reasons why thanks should be offered, and in patriotic terms, spoke of the
extent and future of the Country.
Christ
Church Cathedral
“There were two services in
this church. The morning one was at 11 o’clock and was conducted by Rev. Dr.
Mockridge, assisted by Rev. Dr. Starr, B. D., and Rev. W. Massey, M. A. Mr.
Starr gave a short and interesting address on the nature of thanksgiving. The
holy communion was afterwards administered to upwards of fifty people who
remained to testify in this solemn manner their gratitude to the Supreme Being
for blessings vouchsafed to them.
“The church was crowded in
the evening on the occasion of a special thanksgiving service, in which the
members of the several Church of England choirs in this city united. The choir
entered the church by the west door, singing as a processional hymn, ‘Come, ye
thankful people, come.’
“A large number of the
clergy were present. The service, which was full choral, was intoned by Rev. R.
G. Sutherland and Rev. Mr. Forneret. The first lesson was read by Rev. R. H.
Starr, B. D., and the second lesson by Rewv. Mr. Booth. The Cantate was sung to a chant by Handel
and the Deus was by Mannat. The
anthem was ‘O Lord, how manifold are Thy works.’ (Barnby.) An eloquent sermon
was preached by Rev. W. Clark, of Toronto, from the first verse of Psalm xcii “
‘It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord.’ The preacher in most impressive
language urged upon his hearers the duty of thankfulness, and the awful results
of ingratitude, teaching that the latter is the root from which all sins grow.
He also referred to the personal benefit arising from a thankful heart. How we
feel the sharp pangs of ingratitude when we are repaid by it for the love we
have poured out upon some fellow being, and how we forget the pain we cause
when we are unthankful. How much more reason we have to be thankful to Almighty
God for his bounteousness to us. Our thanks to Him do not make him more great,
or our ingratitude make him less mighty and glorious. He receives our thanks
that we may be made more happy thereby. The duty of expressing our thanks by
our lips and our deeds were likewise urged upon the congregation. The sermon
throughout was attentively listened to be the large congregation. At the
offertory, Mr. Wild sang, ‘There is a Green Hill Far Away.’ Mr. George Robinson
was the conductor, and Mr. J.E.P. Aldous presided at the organ.
Macnab
Street Presbyterian Church
“The service in this church
was held at 11 a.m., and was conducted by the pastor, Rev. D. H. Fletcher.
There was a good congregation. After devotional exercises, the pastor delivered
a very appropriate address on Thankfulness, showing that it was both honoring
to God and fruitful of good to ourselves. He referred to the harvest, which, if
though in some districts was less abundant than in former years, was
nevertheless such as ought to evoke our gratitude. He showed how particularly
dependent of God we are for a good harvest, that no amount of human industry
and care can, without the sunshine and rain, secure the production of the soil.
After referring to the continued peace and freedom from pestilence and other
grievous calamities with which the country is favored, he spoke of the many
blessings – public, domestic and private – which we enjoy, the means of
religious and secular education, an open Bible, the Sabbath, the sanctuary. He
mentioned as a special cause of gratitude the increasing controlling powers of
Britain, which is everywhere the friend of right and liberty. He concluded by
urging the congregation to cherish a thankful disposition, and to give suitable
expressions of their gratitude for the many blessings which they enjoyed by devising
liberal things for the poor. A generous collection of about $60 was taken up
for the charitable fund of the Church.
St. Paul’s
Church
“The thanksgiving service at
St. Paul’s Church yesterday at 10 a.m. was well-attended. The service opened
with the singing of the hymn, ‘Come, ye Thankful People, Come! Raise the song
of Harvest Home,’ which was followed by the reading of the 65th
Psalm and prayer. Taking for his text, Ecclesiastes v. 9 : ‘The profit of the
earth is for all; the king himself is served by the field.’ Mr. Laidlaw
announced as his subject, ‘Humanity’s Interest in the Earth and Its Fruits,’
which he unfolded as follows: 1st. The earth is the common
inheritance of all mankind. 2nd. The fruits of the earth are
indispensable to man. 3rd. A dearth of natural products paralyzes
industry and proves an irreparable loss. 4th, A bountiful harvest is
a blessing to all. 5th. It is our duty to supply the wants of those
who are unable to provide for themselves for ‘the profit of the earth is for
all.’ The thank offering amounted to over $50, which will be presented to the
Girls’ Home as a donation from St. Paul’s Church, as previously intimated.
Wesley
Church
“The thanksgiving service in
this church was of unusual interest. A large number assembled in the Lecture
Hall. The pastor (Rev. Mr Philip) read several suitable selections of Scripture,
and gave a short address, and then a praise service was enjoyed, in which many
expressed thankfulness to God for mercies received. The pastor announced the
names of several who had united with the Church, and stated that in view of the
deepening interest manifested, and the number now anxious for salvation, a
series of special services would soon be held. A collection for the poor was
made at the close of the service.
M. E. Church
“The service in this church
was conducted by the pastor, Rev. J. VanWyck, B. A. It was a praise service,
singing, reading of Scriptures and prayer. The pastor read the 65th
Psalm, and spoke of the occasion for thanksgiving as individuals, families, and
a congregation. He was followed by several others of the leading members of the
church. A profitable and pleasant hour was spent by all present.
Church of
the Ascension
“There was a good
congregation at this church. Service commenced at 9 a.m. Besides the prayers
and suitable hymns, Rev. Hartley Carmichael delivered an admirable extempore
address. The collection was for the Diocese of Algoma.
All Saints’
Church
“In the forenoon, Rev. Mr.
Miller occupied the pulpit and preached an admirable sermon from Psalm lxv, 12
‘Thou Crownest the year with Thy goodness.’ A collection in aid of the mission
work of the church was taken up.
First Methodist Church
“The services at the First
Methodist Church, King street east, were attended by a large congregations,
both morning and evening. Rev. A. Langford preached effective discourse. The
revival services are being continued, and the church membership is being
largely increased.
Central
Presbyterian Church
“At this church yesterday,
the Rev. Mr. Lyle preached from Luke xvii, 11th to 19th
verse, dwelling on the thankful spirit of the leper who returned to give thanks
because he had been healed, and the nine who returned not. He pointed out the
nature of gratitude, and the gratitude of the stranger; its hearty and prompt
nature. Under the second head, he pointed out how disappointed Christ was with
the thankless nine; how pleased He was with the Samaritan, and how the thankful
spirit receives higher and even higher blessings. The congregation was good,
the music appropriate, and a liberal collection was given in aid of the aged
ministers’ fund of the Canadian Presbyterian Church.
Thanksgiving
Social
“Last evening, on the
invitation of the Gore Street P. M. Church, the lecture room was filled by 8
o’clock until there was not an available seat. The room was handsomely
decorated, and well-lighted, and a sumptuous repast was served. Rev. J. Goodman,
pastor of the church, occupied the chair. He called upon the choir of the
church for an opening anthem, after which Rev. Mr. Dyke, of Guelph, offered an
appropriate prayer. The chairman said this was his fifth year in this charge,
and Thanksgiving Day of each year the young people of the church had given a
social. This would certainly be one of the best, and he thought the best they
had ever given. They had good cause for social and thankful feelings.”1
1 “Thanksgiving
: Large Attendance at the City Churches Yesterday”
Hamilton Evening Times. November 9, 1883
